The final event for the 19th Malad Valley Welsh Festival will be a Fireside on Sunday, June 29, at 5:00 p.m. in the 2nd Ward Church (next to Malad City Park).  Everyone is invited to this program that will feature entertaining presentations about Malad’s not-so-long-ago history.

The first presenter will be Larry Thomas, who will remind everyone of some of the businesses once found in downtown Malad.  With the aid of his son Jason, Larry created a very entertaining music rendition about the Malad businesses from 30-40 years ago.  Larry is the current owner of one of those long-time businesses, Thomas Electric and Furniture.  His store is located in the former R.T. Owens building, which went through many phases of merchandising, beginning in 1889. Gerald Thomas, Larry’s father, took over the store in 1950, which means it is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The main presenter will be Dr. Gordon Simpson, long-time dentist in Blackfoot, where his family moved when they left Malad about 1970.  Gordon grew up in Malad in the 1940s and 1950s, graduating from Malad High School in 1956. Gordon lived here when his father, Charles O. Simpson, was the Oneida School District Superintendent and his mother, Thelma Simpson, was a 4th grade teacher.

He graduated from Utah State University and later from dental school at Washington University in St. Louis. He practiced part-time in Malad for several years when Malad did not have another dentist. He has been a bishop and stake president in Blackfoot and involved in community activities.  As a member of the Grove City Chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers in Blackfoot, he gave a presentation about “Growing up in Malad in the 1940s and 1950s,” which instantly intrigued several SUP members with roots in Malad.  

Musical numbers will be by Cassidy Martin and the Malad Valley Men’s Welsh Chorus.  The Malad Stake Relief Society will provide refreshments after the program.