BRIGHAM CITY, Utah — This Saturday, the streets of Brigham City will come alive with the sounds of hooves, bleats, and cheers as more than 2,000 sheep make their annual journey through town — a nearly century-old tradition carried on by the Jensen family since the 1930s.
Each fall, the Jensen family moves their flock from the summer grazing grounds in Cache County to their winter pastures near Bear River City in Box Elder County. What began as a simple family necessity has grown into a beloved local spectacle drawing crowds from across northern Utah.
“It’s the lifestyle and wanting to carry on the legacy and heritage of my grandfather,” said Lane Jensen, livestock manager for Eph Jensen Livestock. His grandfather, Eph Jensen, the son of Danish immigrants and a World War I veteran, began herding sheep nearly a century ago — a legacy now sustained by his descendants.
A Tradition Rooted in Heritage
The journey covers about 23 miles over two days, beginning in Cache County on Friday. On Saturday morning, the flock departs from Mantua around 8 a.m., heading west along Highway 89, which will be temporarily closed to traffic. The sheep are expected to arrive in Brigham City around 9 a.m., where thousands of spectators will line the streets to welcome them.
“Range sheep like this is a nomadic business,” Jensen explained. “It almost feels like we’re moving all the time.”
A Community Event That Unites Generations
The sight of hundreds of woolly sheep making their way through town has become a fall highlight for Brigham City residents. Locals gather with their families — some even bringing coffee or snacks — to watch the animals trot past homes and businesses.
“The ladies at the local bank branch were excited and asked if their kids could bring anything to help,” Jensen said. “With the crowds watching, it actually helps keep the sheep on the road instead of wandering onto lawns like they used to.”
Spectators can watch the sheep make their way north on 600 East before turning west on 600 North, eventually reaching their winter home in Box Elder County.
Preserving Utah’s Agricultural Legacy
For Jensen, the event is more than a parade — it’s a tribute to Utah’s ranching history and a reminder of how agriculture continues to shape rural communities.
“Each generation seems one step further removed from the agricultural history of the area,” Jensen reflected. “For me, it’s important to keep that alive.”
As bells jingle, dogs bark, and ranch hands guide the flock, Brigham City will once again celebrate not just a family’s perseverance, but a piece of Utah’s living history.
