This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Using the theme "Pioneers: Forging a New Frontier" — some less literally than others — artists, technicians and local LDS Church wards created elaborate floats for this year's Days of '47 parade.

The floats were previewed Monday and Tuesday so that the public could view their details up close, even as the creations received finishing touches — such as "educaton" being corrected to "education" on BYU's entry.

Some floats put a twist on LDS history — on one float, a giant seagull chomps on a humanized cricket, referencing early-settler lore of seagulls saving crops on Utah's new frontier from being devoured by crickets.

Others took a metaphorical view, with a huge smoke-spewing dragon hinting that new frontiers should be entered cautiously.

Thousands of attendees voted for their favorite floats at Monday and Tuesday's preview. The winners will be noted in Friday morning's parade through Salt Lake City — the state's biggest parade in size and attention, with many camping out the night before to ensure good vantage points.