After setting a Cannonball Run-esque pace (Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise not included) through the first four days of the “Championship Cup Tour,” the gang will get to slow down a bit during a weekend stay in St. George that begins today. For the full two-day details of the CCT’s Washington County experience, take the jump.

Friday, Feb. 5 – St. George (Washington County): The first weekend of the “Championship Cup Tour” starts out with a two-hour drive to the southwestern Utah hub of St. George, which will host a two-day stay beginning Friday at Dixie Middle School with an assembly from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The Cup and crew will then travel over to the new St. George Recreation Center from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and Hansen Stadium from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for a pair of appearances that will be open to the public. The final stop of the day will take place at Deseret Hills High School (828 Deseret Hills Drive), where Leo the Lion will bring out the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy during a recognition ceremony at halftime of the Boys Basketball game between the DHSS Thunder and Snow Canyon H.S., taking place at approximately 7:45 p.m. (game tips off at 7:00 p.m.)

Distance from Kanab to St. George: 81 miles (2 hours and 2 minutes)

Trip Odometer: 939 miles (19h 07m)

St. George Population: 72,718

Elevation: 2,860 ft.

“Fun Fact #1” about St. George: In the spring of 2000, a farmer living in the St. George area was flatting the ground at the edge of his property. As he worked he discovered what turned out to be the largest collection of dinosaur tracks ever found. The tracks were made in a casting like process, thus giving scientists and curious visitors a rare look at what dinosaur skin, and claws were like.

Saturday, Feb. 6 – St. George (Washington County): The second day in St. George will begin with the MLS Cup trophy arriving at the KFC Restaurant location at 877 E. St. George Boulevard from 12:00-12:30 p.m. before marching on to an event at the National Guard Armory from 1:00-3:00 p.m. that will be open to the general public. From there, the Cup will be greeted by area youth soccer players at a private event for AYSO Region 1343 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. before wrapping up its stay in Washington County at the Dixie State College Women’s and Men’s Basketball games at Burns Arena (400 South 700 East), tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

“Fun Fact #2” about St. George: It’s doubtful many people would guess that the fastest-growing community in the country, population-wise by percentage, would be the St. George/Washington County Metropolitan area. St. George’s population increased by 75% between 1990 and 2000, and the last decade showed continued growth of nearly 50%, with more than 72,000 people calling St. George home as of 2007, bringing Washington County’s total population north of 140,000.