Transcontinental railroad is completed, May 10, 1869 In this painting, a rail official drives the golden spike in Promontory, Utah. | AP photo By Andrew Glass 05/10/2011 04:34 AM EDT ...

In 2016, I resolved to organize a blowout celebration for the Golden Spike’s 150th anniversary to “party like it was 1869.” I was convinced Utahns would plan big for this celebration.