It's been called Utah-style tailgating: street-side campouts the night before a parade to ensure a good view when the grand marshal appears in the morning.

The intrigue: Around the state, parade-goers are now claiming their spots weeks in advance, sometimes littering other residents' yards with lawn chairs, blankets and literal stakes.

The big picture: Parades have been a big deal in Utah almost since the pioneers arrived, and the etiquette debates are as intense as the floats.

• Some cities allow the land grabs to begin days beforehand; others require a human to physically hold their spot.

Zoom in: Belongings began appearing last week along 13400 South for the Riverton Town Days parade July 3.

What they're saying: "We tried telling them to not do it until the Monday before, which would be the 29th. But they don't really listen to that," Riverton City spokesperson Nate Slack told Axios.

Friction point: Homeowners can't mow or water their lawns without moving the tarps, lawn furniture and string barricades left by strangers, Slack said.

• If they throw away the placeholders, they risk being met with unhappy visitors the morning of the parade.

Zoom out: Municipalities have tried to set limits on parade space-saving, with mixed results.

• Orem police once established "Blanket Detention Area" when residents tried to claim territory in City Center Park a week before the Summerfest parade.
• Parade-goers in some towns say fights and arguments over prime real estate are routine.

By the numbers: The 1.2-mile-long Riverton Days parade usually draws 20,000–30,000 people, Slack said.

• Residents frequently ask for a longer route, but organizers don't want to ask veterans' groups to march even farther in the midsummer heat.

My thought bubble: I still have some free cactus pads if your home is on a parade route and you want to start a garden!

Tell us: What's the earliest appropriate time before a parade to claim seats? Should you expect it to be available if no one is waiting with your stuff?

• Hit reply to lay down the law.

Go deeper

It's primary Election Day, and statewide voter turnout stood at about 19% as of yesterday, according to the Lieutenant Governor's Office.

The big picture: Midterm primaries don't draw the same attention as a presidential election, but they can be just as consequential, especially in Utah, where Republicans tend to dominate statewide races.

State of play: If you haven't voted yet, here's what you need to know:

• It's too late to mail your ballot. A recent change to state law requires that ballots be in the clerk's possession by 8pm. Salt Lake County drop box locations are listed online.
• If you're casting a ballot in person, voting centers will be open 7am-8pm.
• Under state law, you must bring an acceptable form of identification to vote in person.

If you're not registered, you can do so at a voting location and cast a provisional ballot. Two forms of ID are required to register.

Worth your time: Already voted? Check the status of your mail or provisional ballot on the lieutenant governor's website.

• If you believe your voting rights have been violated, contact your county clerk's office or the Lt. Governor's Office at [email protected].
• And if you're undecided on Utah's 1st Congressional District race, check out our voter guide.

Pass it on

Salt Lake City leaders say they've received no updates about the federal government's plans for the state's first immigration detention center.

The big picture: A New York Times report last week detailed how Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to hand off or sell the Salt Lake City warehouse it recently purchased and had planned to convert into a detention center for up to 10,000 people.

The latest: Andrew Wittenberg, a spokesperson for the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office, told Axios the city had not received any new information about the future of the warehouse as of yesterday.

In a statement to Axios yesterday, DHS said it was "moving swiftly to utilize EXISTING detention space with our state and county partners," when asked about whether it still planned to convert the Salt Lake City warehouse.

Catch up quick: ICE purchased an 833,000-square-foot warehouse on the city's west side in March for $145.4 million.

Yes, but: Those conversion plans were reportedly put on hold amid a review of warehouse purchases made under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

• Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County filed a federal lawsuit earlier this month seeking to halt the conversion.

Read more

🔥 The Bonneville Fire burning near the University of Utah was 43% contained as of yesterday. The fire started Saturday and has scorched more than 500 acres. (FOX 13)

⛽ Gas prices in parts of Utah have fallen below $4 a gallon as many residents prepare to travel for the Fourth of July weekend. (KSL)

🚫 Ogden enacted firework and open flame restrictions yesterday in high-risk areas ahead of July 4 celebrations. (FOX 13)

Here are the parades planned in Salt Lake County this summer:

🎉 Taylorsville Dayzz: Thursday-Saturday

• Parade: 9am Saturday, Valley Regional Park

🎺 Fort Herriman Towne Days: Now-Saturday

• Parade: 10am Saturday, Butterfield Park

🇺🇸 Riverton Town Days: July 1-4

• Parade: 6:30pm July 3, 13400 South and 2700 West

🤠 Western Stampede: July 2-4, West Jordan

• Parade: 10:30am July 4, Redwood Road

🎆 Murray Fun Days: July 4

• Parade: 8:30am, Fashion Place Mall to Murray Park and Hillcrest Jr. High

🥧 Millcreek Fourth of July Celebration: Parade 9am, Evergreen Ave.

🚲 Holladay Bike Parade: 9am July 4, Pine Park

🧨 Freedom Fest: 10am parade route map online, ends at Fitts Park, South Salt Lake

🎶 Magna 4th of July: Noon parade, 3100 South and 8400 West to Historic Main Street

🎇 Sandy Fourth of July: 6pm parade on Centennial Parkway.

🥁 Draper Days: July 10-18

• Parade: 9am July 18, Fort Street

Way more parades