05.10.19 – 05.12.19

Sesquicentennial Celebration
at Promontory Summit

As home to the site where Central Pacific and Union Pacific crews ended their race to connect east and west, Utah is honored to host the Transcontinental Railroad’s 150th birthday party at the Golden Spike National Historic Site. We are sold out on May 10 and May 11.

Schedule & Highlights         Frequently Asked Questions

Sesquicentennial Celebration Ceremony – May 10th

The centerpiece of 150th anniversary celebration will take place on a purpose-built stage framed by the Golden Spike Site’s two historical steam engines, the Jupiter and #119. The ceremony features remarks by dignitaries, a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham and the world premiere of As One, a sweeping musical-theater reimagining of the 1869 Golden Spike event.

Spike 150 Schedule* at Promontory Summit

Highlights include:

Remarks by Dignitaries

• Railroad Worker Legacy Representatives
• Utah Congressional Delegation
• National Park Service
• State of Utah
• Union Pacific Railroad
• Historical Reenactment

Keynote Address

Renowned presidential scholar Jon Meacham will share his historical perspective on the importance of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. Meacham is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, contributing writer to The New York Times Book Review and contributing editor at TIME. His most recent book, The Soul of America, was named one of the best books of 2018 by NPR, The Christian Science Monitor, and Southern Living. While the American story has not always—or even often—been heroic, we have been sustained by a belief in progress even in the gloomiest of times, Meacham notes. In his inspiring book, Meacham reassures us, “The good news is that we have come through such darkness before – as, time and again, Lincoln’s better angels have found a way to prevail.”

World Premiere of As One

This stirring new musical inspired by the Golden Spike era includes five original compositions and performances. As One is written and directed by the all-star team of award-winning composer, producer and songwriter Stephen Nelson; lyricist and vocalist Anjanette Mickelsen; and direction and choreography by Jennifer Parker Hohl. Distinguished musician and conductor Craig Jessop is the show’s executive producer.  As One features a chorus and band of more than 250 elementary school students selected from Utah’s 29 counties.

As One will be broadcast live from Promontory Summit to classrooms, homes and watch parties throughout the state, thanks to our broadcast partner KSL Channel 5 and Utah Education Network (UEN) Channel 9.

U.S. Postal Service Transcontinental Railroad Commemorative Forever® Stamps First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony

The U.S. Postal Service marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad in 1869 with three distinct stamps in a pane of 18 stamps commemorating the milestone.

Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband

Ryan Shupe is a 5th generation fiddler, an accomplished electric guitar, acoustic guitar and mandolin player, Shupe has been touring extensively across the US since he was 10 years old. He is no stranger to the national stage and the band has appeared on Good Morning America, E! TV, Mountain Stage, Woodsongs, GAC and CMT. He and his band tour regularly with stops at festivals, concert series, special events and prestigious venues.

Black Irish Band

Hailing from the historic Gold Rush Country of America, the four member Black Irish Band of twenty years, have a musical style that is as timeless as the rugged landscape of the west, a tribute to the people whose lives were spent building the world we now take for granted. The band has a large complement of traditional maritime and railroad music, as well as ethnic tunes in their repertoire.

Sesquicentennial Festival Area – May 10th-12th

The three-day Sesquicentennial Festival offers a variety of fun and educational activities for visitors of all ages. Located at the Golden Spike National Historical Park, the Festival also features food vendors and merchants. So, plan a trip to visit the famous steam engines, learn about how the Transcontinental Railroad and late 19th century innovation changed America’s and Utah’s history, immerse yourself in interactive exhibits, and eat, drink and enjoy the day!

STEM Innovation Summit

Completing the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 was the “moonshot” of its day. Looking ahead, what audacious goal is possible to accomplish by 2069? Spike 150 has partnered with Hill Air Force Base’s STEM program to inspire the next generation of innovators to explore and think outside the box to create the next revolutionary breakthrough. Visitors can explore rocketry, aviation and drone technology, and learn if they have what it takes to be part of NASA’s planned Mission to Mars. Come celebrate the past and see how to engineer the future.

NASA Astronaut Scott D. Tingle

Award-Winning Author Brian Floca

Join award-winning author and illustrator Brian Floca for a presentation about the creation of his children’s picture book Locomotive, a Caldecott Medal winner and New York Times bestseller that chronicles a trip across America in 1869 on the just-completed transcontinental railroad.

Frontier Camp

Celebrate the past at Frontier Village. Wondering what life was like in 1869? Catch a glimpse of a Wagon Train, Shoshone Camp, Hell on Wheels Village and Railroad Workers’ Camp. Listen to the music and stories of the journey to Promontory in our Fables and Tales Tent and Acoustic Stage.

Bob Hardy

Enjoy a waltz on the prairie with local legend Bob Hardy. Specializing in railroad tunes and period picking, Bob is taking his show from the rails to the Frontier Village.

Professor Hatch ‘Great Wizard of the West’

Professor Hatch will astonish visitors to the Frontier Village at close quarters with his pioneering prestidigitation! His appearance will include feats gathered travels around the globe, including the Mystic Golden Rings of China, Nankin Tamasudare from Japan, the Miracle of the Jadoo-Wallah from India and the Unlimited Coinage of Silver as featured in the mining camps of the Nevada Territory. Laughter Born of Bewilderment!

From the 19th Century to Today

A series of interactive exhibits compare 19th century innovation to how we see the world changing around us today. How do the working conditions, wages and treatment of railroad workers in 1869 compare to today? How did the railroad affect Native Americans, women and the environment? Large-scale photographs, augmented reality stations and other hands-on exhibits provide fun and educational opportunities to explore yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Food and Merchandise

Food trucks will offer lunch and snacks for purchase throughout the three-day festival. Visit the Uinta beer garden (21+) to try a Golden Spike Hefeweizen. Commemorative merchandise will be available at the Spike 150 Store, in the mercantile tent at Frontier Village and through Golden Spike National Historical Park.

Thanks to the Food Truck League our vendors include:
The Rollin Mug, The Lucky Slice, Fatty Tuna Sushi & Ramen, Fry Me to the Moon, Yoshi’s Enso Grill, Smokin’ Star BBQ, Comfort Bowl, Marquesas Corndogs, La Salsita, San Diablo Churros, Jamaica’s Kitchen and Umani.

Frequent questions about directions and what to expect

• 2.5 Million

  Spike 150 Activities and Partner Events

• 3,000

  May 10, 2018 Kickoff Event

• 50,000

  May 10-11, 2019 150th Anniversary Weekend Celebration at Promontory Summit

• 640,000

  Live broadcast to Utah’s public school students

• 450,000

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