Avrey Evans is the Managing Editor of Salt Lake Magazine. She has been writing for city publications for seven years and enjoys covering the faces and places of our salty city, especially when a boozy libation is concerned.
Grab your camera and dust off those holiday threads, Santa is coming to town. Whether you’re looking to capture that cheesy holiday card or just need to convince Sally to be good for a few more weeks, snapping photos with Santa is a must-do seasonal activity. Find the big man himself at the following events, festivals and pop-ups around Utah.
Date-Specific Santa Appearances
Santa Comes Down Park City’s Townlift Ahead of his busiest night of the year, Santa will be making a stop at Park City’s Town Lift on December 21st at 5 p.m. Kids can wish him well on his forthcoming journey, enjoy complimentary cookies, holiday tunes and photo opps with Santa. Afterward, make sure to meander Main Street which has been decorated by seven life-size snow globes designed by local artists. And, for those 21+ Santa seekers, the annual Park City Santa Pub Crawl is happening on December 7th at 6 p.m., starting at Butchers Chop House. There will be plenty of boozed-up Santa’s to ask for a photo.
Lights On! At the Gallivan Join The Blocks Arts District and In Theory Art Collective unveil the fifth installment of GLOW at the Gallivan center on November 22nd at 4-6 p.m. This year’s edition features dozens of unique sculptures and interactive light displays designed by local artists. Opening day includes free ice-skating, a live DJ, Disney princes sightings and Santa Claus himself.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pendry Experience the magic of the season at the second annual Tree Lighting ceremony, where guests and locals alike can admire the beautiful thirty-foot tree and holiday decorations in Pendry Plaza on November 30th at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The holiday kickoff will also feature a special visit from Santa and his reindeer who will be available for complimentary photos.
Christkindlemarket at This is The Place Heritage Park.
Meet St. Nikolaus at the ChristkindlMarkt Utah’s annual German Christmas Market returns to This is the Place Heritage Park with vendor booths, seasonal threats and plenty of activities for the whole family. Kids can meet and take photos with St. Nick throughout the festival, taking place Dec. 4th through the 7th. Find the entire schedule on the ChristkindlMarkt website.
2024 Festival of Trees The 54th annual Festival of Trees will take place at the Mountain America Expo Center on December 4th through the 7th. The event supports Primary Children’s Hospital with a silent auction, holiday vendors and plenty of opportunities to snap a pic with Father Christmas in Santa Land.
Craft Lake City Holiday Market Taking over Ogden Union Station on Dec. 6th and 7th, the Holiday Market features over 140 local artisans, crafters, performers and more. Be sure to say hello to Santa for a quick chat and free photo as you tackle holiday shopping.
All-Season Long Santa Sightings
Hyatt Santa’s Village The sleek downtown hotel has transformed their 6th floor terrace into a charming holiday village, complete with a massive 18-foot tree, custom-built Santa cabin and of course, Santa himself. The rooftop is open to guests every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through December 21st. Tickets are $20 per photo for non-dining guests, but for those who’d like to dine after at Basque-style restaurant Mar | Muntanya or the Salt Republic on the first floor, tickets are $10.
Meet Santa at Hyatt’s Santa’s Village. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
Photos with Santa at City Creek Center From November 25th through December 24th City Creek’s resident Santa will be onsite to take holiday photos. Choose from a variety of packages that include digital downloads, holiday postcards and 4×6 prints. The shopping destination is also hosting a series of fun festive events throughout the holiday season, like the Paw Palooza event on December 5th that invites your fur baby to meet Santa himself. How else will you know what Fido wants for Christmas?
Ogden Christmas Village Downtown Ogden lights up for the holiday season from November 25th all the way through the New Year with adorable cottage installations, magnificent holiday displays and all the twinkling lights. Celebrate the opening day with a Santa Run, followed by the iconic Holiday Electric Light Parade that starts on 22nd Street and ends on 27th. Of course, no Christmas village is complete without the Big Man himself. Santa visits the village Monday through Friday from 6-9 p.m., and Saturday 5-9 p.m. starting on November 30th. Meet-and-greets are free as well as photos, but prepare to stand in a line as you wait to find out if you are naughty or nice!
Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary. Photo courtesy of Tracy Aviary.
Tracy Aviary Light Walk Immerse yourself in holiday spirit at Tracy Aviary’s annual Light Walk. The eight acres of dazzling light displays also include life-size gingerbread houses, holiday beverages, interactive light shows and a chance to meet Santa. Lightwalk is available on select weekends, and also hosts special events throughout the season, check their website for more details.
Sugar House Santa Shack Santa makes his grand appearance this season in a motorcycle parade on November 30th at 11 a.m. Afterwards, he’ll be at the Sugar House location every Monday-Friday 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Join the holiday tradition with your little ones, fur babies, or friends!
Santa’s Cottage at Traverse Mountain Outlets Lehi’s shopping center is all dressed up for the holidays with a gingerbread village, Utah’s tallest Christmas tree, and visits with Santa. The holiday hero will be available for photo opportunities on select dates and times through December 24th, see the full schedule here.
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s. Photo courtesy of Cabela.
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s Outdoor retailer Cabela’s is offering free studio-quality photos with Santa everyday through Tuesday, December 24th. Every Cabela’s, and Bass Pro Shops, have been decked in their holiday best with cozy cabins, snowy backdrops, elves and festive decorations. Along with daily photos with Santa, Cabela’s hosts a weekly story hour with Santa or Mrs. Claus every Tuesday at 5 p.m. until December 17th. Reservations are free but required to confirm your family’s spot.
Festive Fridays at Wheeler Farm Starting on November 29th, Wheeler Farm will host a family-friendly weekly event. Bring the kids for a wagon ride and holiday light displays, and make sure to stop by the Farmhouse Porch to greet Santa. Visiting with St. Nick is free and there will be plenty of onsite elves to help with photos.
Zoolights at Hogle Zoo The zoo’s beloved holiday walk-through event runs on select nights through the holiday season, featuring brilliant animal-themed light displays, yummy smores, and a chance to meet Santa at the High Desert Oasis lodge
Winter is settling in and those pre-holiday jitters are in full throttle! Stave off your cold weather nesting for one more week and instead enjoy Christmas concerts, elevated paired dinners and master cooking courses just in time for hosting season. There’s plenty of fun to go around our salty city, find even more events November events in Salt Lake on our community calendar!
Monday 11/18
What: Hollywood in Utah Pre-Screening Events Where: Browning Building, Utah Tech Campus When: 11/18 at 7 p.m. Enjoy a private screening of PBS’s Hollywood in Utah, a documentary celebrating 100 years of filmmaking in Utah. Producer Nancy Green and historian James D’Arc will host a Q&A session prior to the screening.
What: Christmas Carol Pt. 2 Where: The Off Broadway Theatre When: 11/1-11/30, various showtimes The Off Broadway Theatre presents a Christmas Carol Pt. 2, a family-friendly show storying the tale of Scrooge and the spirit of Christmas. Get tickets here.
What: Holiday Window Stroll Where: The Grand America When: Now through Jan. 1st This year’s holiday window stroll theme is ‘Yeti for the Holidays.’ Scan the QR code at the first window to follow Chuck the Snowball and his Yeti friends through their magical forest home. Keep an eye out for Chuck in each display, and answer the quiz questions at the end to be entered into a drawing for a one-night stay at The Grand America Hotel.
Tuesday 11/19
What: World of Illumination Where: Utah State Fairpark When: 11/19-12/29, select dates A magical drive-through light show fun for the whole family. This year’s show, “Reindeer Road”, featured over a million lights synced to music, and over 500 uniquely themed displays. Tickets available here.
Wednesday 11/20
What: Wild Wednesday at Hogle Zoo Where: Hogle Zoo When: 11/20 As part of the ZAP program, Hogle Zoo offers special wednesday pricing for $6 online, and $8 in person admission. Don’t forget to visit the zoo’s newest residents, snow leopard cubs Bhutan and Pavlova!
What: Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Lost Christmas Eve Tour Where: The Delta Center When: 11/20, show at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Witness the magic of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Delta Center. The production is touring their brand new version of The Lost Christmas Eve, featuring all the heavy metal Christmas songs, lasers, and pyrotechnics you know and love.
Thursday 11/21
What: Leo Libations—Thanksgiving Day Wines Where: The Leonardo When: 11/21 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Celebrate the abundance of the season with a delightful tasting menu featuring beat taurine and goat cheese, Turkey Roulade and more. Wine Academy of Utah Sommelier Jim Santagelo will be onsite to discuss the lush whites and traditional Beaujolai Village Crus pours you’ll be sipping on. Tickets are $70, get yours here.
Friday 11/22
What: Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary Where: Tracy Aviary When: Select dates in November and December Tracy Aviary’s beloved Lightwalk returns on November 22nd! The holiday display features eight acres of dazzling light displays, life-size gingerbread houses, holiday beverages and a Santa meet-and-greet. Save $2 on admission when you bring non-perishable food items to donate.
What: Thanksgiving Master Cooking Class Where: Park City Culinary Institute When: 11/22 at 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dive into a hand-on class where Chefs guide you through essential techniques and twists on Thanksgiving classics. Dinner will be paired with wine for those 21+ Reserve your spot here.
What: Annual Crazy Daisy Holiday Show Where: Mountain America Expo Center When: 11/22 at 2 p.m to 8 p.m. and 11/23 at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Get ahead of your holiday shopping at this two-day Christmas extravaganza featuring 200 small businesses, unique treats, local entertainment and a Santa appearance.
What: Lights On! Where: The Gallivan Center When: 11/22 at 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Blocks Arts District is unveiling the fifth season of GLOW at the Gallivan center with a very special family-friendly event. The annual free event features ice skating, a live DJ, Disney princess sightings and a Santa meet-and-greet. After the unveiling, the immersive holiday display is open to the public through March 1st, 2025.
What: Utah Valley Ski Swap Where: 2975 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi When: 11/22 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Shop and sell your favorite brands of ski and snowboard gear at a discount.
Saturday 11/23
What: Creator’s Collective SLC Holiday Market Where: Publik Roasting Company When: 11/23 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop 35 local small businesses, artists, makers and curators at this one-day only holiday market. Enjoy unique activities as you shop like permanent jewelry, treats from Publik Cafe, custom charm bar, photo opps and more.
What: KRCL’s 45-Anniversary Party: A Birthday Benefit Where: The Commonwealth Room When: 11/23 at 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Celebrate KRCL’s 45th Birthday with live performances from The Mellons, The Pranksters, Talia Keys & The Love. Attendees can also enjoy special drinks from Dented Brick, a photo booth, birthday cupcakes and a “History of KRCL” panel discussion. Get tickets here.
Sunday 11/24
What: Friends of Friends Flea Market Where: Coterie SLC When: 11/24 at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a day of good vibes and unique finds from Coterie’s community of vendors. Hosted every last Sunday of the month, this is a 21+ event with free entry.
“Amaro tends to be a spirit that’s celebratedwithin the bar industry, but is misunderstood by the average drinker,” says Jordon Strang, HSL Bar Manager and co-creator of pop-up group Bitter Lovers. “I want to enlighten the Salt Lake community that it isn’t just that nasty fernet your bartender friend made you try or that overly sweet Paper Plane you can’t get down.” Determined to set the record straight, Strang has teamed up with local culinary great Jozef Ezra to offer imbibers ephemeral evenings of Amari-focused sips and bites at bars across Salt Lake City.
Often considered a secondary spirit in classic concoctions like the Negroni, a Black Manhattan or an Aperol Spritz, Amari has steadily gained favor in America over the years. You might’ve first encountered the herbal elixir after eating your fill of Italian fare when glasses of digestif are handed out to settle the stomach and sip ritualistically. Or, perhaps your first experience was not so civilized and involved downing a few Jagerbombs amongst a feral group of pre-gamers (guilty).
Now, however, the spirit is finding new favor amongst creative bartenders who are excited by its inherent versatility. Strang, a longtime lover of Amari, advocates for the liquor in gusto: “Amaro is my absolute favorite spirit category because it is so diverse. By definition, Amaro just needs to have one bittering element and one sweet element, so you see a huge spectrum of products ranging from stiff, sobering beverages to bright, cotton-candy-like drinks.” The flexible nature of Amaro is, as Strang puts it, “infinitely riffable,” and makes a unique base for cocktails fit for all kinds of drinkers.
Bitter Lovers travels to different bars to showcase an often misunderstood category of spirits.
After obsessing over Amaro and experimenting with it during his everyday bartending, Strang recently connected with fellow bitter lover Joseph Ezra to form a pop-up series dedicated to the spirit. The idea was to put together a curated cocktail list that showcases various Amaros and serve them alongside complimentary bites and fun music. But instead of taking over their host bar completely, Bitter Lovers collaborates with the bars to create a cohesive experience. “I take the opportunity to work with bartenders in my community that I look up to or appreciate, and create a one-of-a-kind menu with them,” Strang says. Each pop-up is a team effort with Jordon and Joseph at the helm and a host bartender who all work together to create a menu that stays true to the host’s vibe while incorporating Strang’s Amaro focus.
Since their first iteration in April, Bitter Lovers has collaborated with bars like Citizens Cocktails & Kitchen, Copper Common, Ruin and Post Office Place. Each pop-up presents a fun challenge to Strang, who describes the first series at Citizens as “a chance to lean into the more feminine and delicate side of cocktailing and serve a menu that was spritzy, bright and beautiful.”
Find the next Bitter Lovers event @bitterlovers.slc
In May, Strang took the Bitter Lovers X Copper Common pop-up in a different direction, “Copper Common to me has always been very refined, sexy and intentional, so we took a more stirred and boozy approach to the menu and added a bunch of natural Italian wine.” Strang put a tiki twist on the series in July when he teamed up with ACME/Remora bartender Sam Miller. Together the crew hosted an evening of Waterpocket spirits and tropical sips at RUIN downtown.
Bitter Lovers aren’t the only group that has taken to the format of pop-ups, and Strang sees that as a sign of a nightlife community that has grown up. Casting aside an us vs. them mentality, industry leaders are collaborating now more than ever to uplift each other and create unique experiences that bring guests out in throngs. “I feel like this community is good at celebrating itself, “ Strang says. “And we deserve to be celebrated because we get overlooked for being a control state and a lack of late-night spaces.”
And, as the trend toward one-night-only events continues upward, one clear thing is that there is plenty of room for everyone. Whether you’re a bartender who is looking to share your love of obscure spirits, or a chef seeking for a temporary outlet for an experimental menu, this city has a lot of love to go around and plenty of hosts that gladly offer up their platforms. As Jordon contends, “If you have a vision and an idea that you’re excited about, share it. If you build it, they will come.”
Find an upcoming pop-up series from Bitter Lovers by following their socials @bitterlovers.slc.
In the shadows of the Wasatch Mountains, the cityscape of Salt Lake is filled with echoes of its dark past. From abandoned factories where workers’ lives were ripped away by heavy machinery to opulent social clubs tainted by violent acts—sinister circumstances have created a tapestry of haunted locations throughout our city. As stories of the unexplainable become folklore, we seek to uncover the tales of untold and restless spirits. Welcome to a phantasmic journey through the darker corners of Utah history. Welcome to Haunted Salt Lake.
Made up of six buildings and two underground tunnels, Fear Factory is one of Salt Lake’s largest haunted attractions. Photo courtesy of Fear Factory.
Portland Cement Factory (Aka The Fear Factory)
Sarah Jamieson, owner of Grimm Ghost Tours, leads monthly paranormal investigations of the Portland Cement Factory, now the haunted attraction Fear Factory. “There’s so much activity there, we haven’t had a single night where some event doesn’t occur.” Jamieson and her team of investigators have recorded EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) of chilling voices warning them to “get out,” heard rattling chains scraping across catwalks and become familiar with a playful entity in the underground tunnels. Demonic animatronics and gory torture scenes set up throughout the haunted house add to the site’s disturbing tone, and Jamieson believes they might even amplify the very real paranormal phenomena she has witnessed.
During the Portland Cement Factory’s manufacturing heyday in the 1800s, the expansive site was an industrial hellscape for workers. Employees could fall prey to the dangerous working conditions left and right, from boiling vats of chemicals to bone-crushing grinders and live wires. The agonizing manner in which victims died is nothing short of excruciating, none more so than Frank Holmes. In 1903, he was pulled into a revolving shaft, limb by limb, until a coworker finally shut off the machine. Holmes lost an arm and broke his leg and jaw in the accident before finally succumbing to his injuries.
Working conditions at the Portland Cement Factory were dangerous. Ghost hunters believe the many deaths left behind lingering spirits of workers. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.
Just a few years earlier, a 35-year-old worker named George Howe was descending a ladder when his sleeve got caught in a coal crusher. With a shout of agony, his arm was ripped from his body and Howe fell onto the coal tower, where his mangled corpse was later found.
The Salt Lake Herald reports on reports on the factory incident involving Frank Homes on July 31, 1903. Clipping courtesy of Newspapers.com
Tragic accidents continued for years until the factory finally closed its doors. Even still, death continued to find a way into the abandoned factory. In the years following, The Salt Lake Fire Department responded to calls of train-related suicides and bodies of unhoused folks seeking shelter inside the factory, further shrouding the site in a heavy aura of despair.
However devastating Fear Factory’s past, the site is a renowned point of interest amongst the paranormal community. “The fact we can’t even know how many deaths occurred here is pretty intriguing from a supernatural perspective,” Jamieson says. Sudden acts of violence leave behind a residual energy that Jamieson believes enhances the unexplainable, like the shadows her group often sees pacing the factory’s catwalk or sudden illnesses experienced by women inside the so-called “hell” silo. In the underground tunnels, the spirit of George Howe often reaches out to investigators with a phantom brush or playful ankle grab, “He’s a very touchy-feely entity,” Jamieson laughs.
Word of these encounters even brought Ghost Adventures own Zak Bagans to the scene in 2014, where his team investigated loud bangs, dark laughter, bright floating anomalies and foreboding statements like, “It’s coming,” and “I did it!” Zak summarizes their findings in typical Ghost Adventures style: “This factory might be a Halloween funhouse, but what’s happening inside is no laughing matter.”
Of all the activity recorded at Fear Factory, Jamieson always notes a significant uptick right after the haunted house opens for the season. “Anytime you get a lot of emotions in a place, it tends to enhance the paranormal,” she says. “Fear and even excitement act as an amplifier.” It’s not hard to imagine why the screams of thrill-seeking attendees might rouse the entities whose own lives ended in shouts of surprise and pain. Maybe they are reaching from beyond the veil to warn the living of the perils that await them in the Portland Cement Factory.
The Capitol Theatre
On a summer evening in 1949, Salt Lake’s venerable Capitol Theatre welcomed 600 guests to watch a Rita Hayworth double feature in honor of Independence Day. During the screening, a fire broke out in the basement and the entire theater was evacuated. Thankfully, nearly every guest made it out unharmed. All but one. A 17-year-old usher named Richard Duffin became trapped in the building while helping people evacuate and succumbed to the smoke in the basement. Duffin’s life was cut far too short in an instant—perhaps why his spirit lingers to this day.
The entity, nicknamed “George,” has become well-known for his displays of teenage angst that include tampering with a freight elevator and producing the smell of smoke when there is none. While Capitol Theatre representatives contend that Mr. Duffin officially left the building after their most recent renovation in 2019, stories of strange phenomena live on.
Designed in a stunning Italian Renaissance style, the 111-year-old theater exudes tranquil luxury. But far below the velvet-laden balconies and luminescent stage, Capitol Theatre’s catacomb-like basement has become a paranormal hotspot for George’s antics.
Newspaper clipping from The Ogden Examiner July 5, 1949. On the right is a photo of Mr. Richard Duffin. Clipping courtesy of Newspapers.com
Former resident stagehand Doug Morgan had dealt with the supernatural resident for years during his nearly 40-year tenure. “I feel his presence every once in a while,” he told the Deseret News in 1999. The specter becomes even more active during his favorite annual production of The Nutcracker—and he keeps the stage crew on its toes. During the show’s opening night one year, the stage lights began to malfunction. Morgan had a sneaking suspicion it wasn’t a case of faulty wiring. “I bellowed out, ‘Damnit George, knock it off or I’m going to have you exorcized!’” The playful poltergeist seemed to take the hint. “My stage lights came right on.”
Perhaps George’s spirit is holding on to a youthful mischief, but his run-ins with the living aren’t always so innocent. In an episode of SyFy’s now-canceled show Paranormal Witness, two Salt Lake City officers share their testimony of unexplainable events while working security at the theater in 2006.
Officers Morgan Matthews and Dave Murphy were tasked with after-hours surveillance, a job that frequently brought them to the windowless basement. One night, Officer Murphy heard a door slam near a basement rehearsal room and rushed to investigate. He hesitated when his sixth sense flashed warning signs. “A cold runs right through me like I’m freezing to death. It’s a feeling of evil,” he recalls. Alarming noises, disembodied whispers and the scent of smoke continue to plague the officers for months until Matthews had enough. While routinely checking the footage from an infrared camera, he notices a lone figure sitting in the auditorium. Suddenly, the apparition streaks across the screen in a blur, and Matthews makes out a fiendish scowl staring back at him. “From that point on I would not work in the theater,” he says. “If there is something that demonic, I don’t want to be around it.”
Former Senior Accountant Blair Fuller shares another encounter with George during a late-night work session. When the elevator across from his office mysteriously opens, he steps in the elevator to investigate. Without warning, the door closed and the elevator began its slow descent to the basement. “Hello, is anyone there?” Fuller called out to the dark basement hallway. The only answer was an impending sense of dread and the faint acrid smell of smoke.
While George’s elevator escapades may have come to an end when the theater installed a new freight car during the remodel, who’s to say that his restless spirit doesn’t remain in the building? After all these years, perhaps Mr. Duffin has developed a penchant for theatrics in the afterlife.
Fort Douglas
Utah’s Fort Douglas was established in 1862 amid the tensions surrounding the Civil War and concerns over Utah’s commitment to the Union. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.
Lying silently along the East Bench near the University of Utah, the Fort Douglas Cemetery is teeming with whispers of the past. Soldiers, military working dogs and prisoners of war all share this plot of land as their eternal resting place—but not all rest in peace. In the southwest corner, near the POW graves, cemetery visitors have heard indelible German murmurs. Across from the entrance, a photo taken by a ghost hunter shows a towering apparition of a man on a horse. Throughout the gravesite, the boisterous barks of a German Shepherd sound off in warning. And it’s not just the cemetery. The entire Fort Douglas base is a hive of paranormal activity, making it a favorite stop on ghost tours and Halloween field trips.
Ogden Ghost Tours’ Kristen Clay brings groups of Girl Scouts to the Fort Douglas Military Museum to learn about Utah’s first army base and to hopefully catch a glimpse of the museum’s resident specter. During one tour, a scout sees an oddly dressed man give her a flirtatious wink and asks Kristen who might be behind the prank. Meet “Clem,” a short, bearded man many thought to be the ghost of 1st Sgt. John Jackson, who was shot and killed in 1899 by a fellow brother-in-arms.
The service men buried in the Fort Douglas Cemetery represent the Civil War, Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.
“Immediately, I knew what happened because Clem thinks he’s quite the ladies’ man.” Clay recalls responding to the girl, “You saw our ghost!” Clem received his nickname from a group of Boy Scouts, but sightings of Clem have been documented for decades by investigators and museum employees. Most often sighted in the museum’s basement, formerly used as the barracks, Clem stalks the hallways in an unhurried step and sometimes breathes down an unsuspecting museum goer’s neck. The entity is so ubiquitous, Fort Douglas has even hosted events in his honor during October—ensuring Clem’s fame even in death.
Colonel Patrick E. Connor. Photo courtesy of Marriot Library, University of Utah.
Clem is Fort Douglas’ most well-known ghost, but he is far from the only man to have died on the base. On Feb. 18, 1896, Pvt. Marshal Mitchell shot himself, leaving a note that said, “A pang is in all I feel, there is blight in all I see.” Another soldier hanged himself in October of 1901 and, in 1869, Corporal William Foster murdered Lucius O’Brien.
During WWI, Fort Douglas became a German internment camp and confined more than 300 prisoners during the conflict. Twenty-one German Soldiers died while imprisoned, along with 12 Italian soldiers and one Japanese soldier. All are buried in the Fort Douglas Cemetery, along with the man who founded the camp in 1862.
Col. Patrick E. Connor became well known in his tenure at Fort Douglas as a commanding officer of an anti-Mormon garrison, sparring with Brigham Young himself, and leading the brutal ambush on the Shoshone in the Bear River Massacre. He died in 1891 and was buried with his men, but he can’t seem to let go of his authority over the base. Grimm’s Ghost Tour guides have interacted with Col. Connor through spirit boxes and dowsing rods—often when a member of their tour is misbehaving. “He watches over the cemetery and military museum,” Sarah Jamieson says. “If an investigator is goofing off, he will get your attention through the spirit box or tapping in the room to let you know, you don’t act like that on his land.”
he ghost of Col. Patrick Connor (above) is said to appear on horseback in the Fort Douglas Cemetery and was possibly sighted during a ghost tour. Photo by Grimm Ghost Tours.
In a photo taken during one of her tours, a figure appears to hover above a gravestone. Wearing what appears to be a cavalry hat, his legs are spread wide as if straddling a horse. Like Clem, the Colonel’s spirit is intertwined with Fort Douglas and doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon.
The Alta Club
Before Utah became a state, 81 mining barons founded a private gentleman’s club in the heart of Salt Lake City inside the Dooley building. While the club was created to host the state’s finest social gatherings, during Prohibition and the Great Depression, the Alta Club would invite transgression through its doors as they hosted makeshift speakeasies and even a few slot machines.
In the 1950s, one overindulgent member fell asleep in a third-floor bedroom holding a lit cigar, resulting in a fire that nearly destroyed the building and took the man’s life. The floor was closed off for decades and the Alta Club adopted a firm no-smoking policy, but some members still attest to seeing an apparition of a dapper gentleman puffing on his cigar in the main room.
The Alta Club was founded in 1883 and modeled after prominent gentlemen’s clubs in England and San Francisco. Photo courtesy of The Alta Club.
Another wraith-like entity seen by clubgoers and employees is a dark-haired woman dressed in white. Known as the “Lady of the Evening,” the ghost makes herself known in the basement with the smell of her lilac perfume wafting through the air. Although her origins have been lost in time, some believe she may be connected to the double murder-suicide that occurred at the Alta Club 64 years ago.
On July 23, 1960, Jay Bertleson entered the kitchen and fired three rounds into pantry maid Lucille Van Gerren’s chest. After the 46-year-old woman fell dead, Chef Edward Sasaki pleaded with the shooter and hit him over the head with a large mixing spoon until he was killed by gunfire. The gunman, whose motives are unknown to this day, fled to a basement bathroom where he turned the .38 caliber pistol on himself. The meaningless deaths shocked Salt Lake City residents and have added another sinister stain to the Alta Club’s history.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports on the shocking double-murder and suicide in 1960. Clipping courtesy of Newspapers.com
The McCune Mansion
While preparing for an upcoming wedding, a piano player sits at McCune Mansion’s grand piano and begins to play. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a young girl dressed in a long nightgown float through the room to the sound of his music. The musician becomes frustrated and finds the wedding planner to wrangle the child, but to his surprise, they respond “We’re the only ones here.”
McCune Mansion was built in 1901 for Alfred and Elizabeth McCune. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society.
Firsthand accounts of a little ghost girl, like this one relayed by Grimm Ghost Tours’ Sarah Jamieson, are not uncommon at the 123-year-old mansion. “She’s a bit mischievous and likes to rearrange wedding decorations,” Jamieson says. Called to partake in the events at the mansion, the young spirit has been seen emerging from a floor-to-ceiling mirror in the drawing room and mingling with guests.
Her predilection for dancing draws many to believe she may have been a student when the building was the McCune School of Music and Art in the 1920s. Those who see her attest to her innocent comportment and protective energy—other than one electrician who claims the girl emerged from the mirror to observe his work with coal-black eyes and gave him such a fright he refused to return to the mansion again.
The haunted mirror at McCune Mansion, where a little ghost girl is said to hide in. Photo courtesy of Utah State Historical Society. (Note: Image has been altered for dramatic effect)
The Salt Lake County Building
Washington Square Park is the site of the original Mormon pioneer camp in 1847 and has since hosted cattle drives, medicine shows, circuses and even jousting tournaments. When the Salt Lake County Building was built on the square in 1894, residents would visit the hall to get married, sit trial and receive sentences.
“There’s so much emotion and history,” says Jamieson. “It results in a lot of activity inside the building.”
During the building’s construction, tons of rough-hewn sandstone were hauled up to the spires by rope. One day, a rope snapped and the heavy materials went plummeting where two young boys happened to be playing, killing them both.
The Salt Lake County building was completed in 1894 and has been the site of nearly every municipal decision during this century. Photo courtesy of Utah Division of State History.
Thought to be brothers, the boys’ spirits have remained on site and have been spotted by Jamieson and her group of investigators on multiple occasions. “They are very interactive,” she says. “They’ll play with toys and balls, rolling them up and down the hallway.” The County Building is also visited by the ghost of the boy’s mother, who Jamieson believes found them after her death so they would not be alone in the afterlife.
Two more entities seen roaming the grounds include past Salt Lake City Mayor George Montgomery Scott who roams the third floor near his old office. The loud sounds of a gavel have also been reported, and an apparition of a man with flowing robes. Perhaps an old judge wishes to pass more sentences on the living? Far below the building, the unused tunnels that connect the County Building with the then Salt Lake Jail (now the library) carry a menacing aura that some ghost hunters attribute to the evil men who passed through years before, including none other than serial killer Ted Bundy.
The clock strikes midnight on September 30th and you’re abruptly enthralled by an insatiable craving for pumpkin. Sugared-up lattes topped with pumpkin foam, savory pumpkin seed curry scooped by the mouthful, and a frosty mug filled with locally brewed pumpkin beer—your appetite for pumpkin-spice-whatever knows no bounds. You won’t stop consuming the delectable tawny substance until you yourself begin to transmute into the season’s favorite gourd.
Sound familiar? Probably not. But Salt Lake’s restaurants, coffee shops, bars and bakeries are still here to offer you all the autumnal specials to make the most of the fleeting season! Happy feasting.
Enjoy a crisp October evening at Emigration Brewing Co. The restaurant recently released a new menu featuring locally sourced ingredients, and a new cocktail menu to boot. Try their pumpkin-chorizo chicken—Sous Vide chicken breast, pumpkin-chorizo sauce and brussel sprouts. 4147 Emigration Canyon Rd, SLC
Heeding the calls of Salt Lake’s sweet tooths, Gourmandise is back at it again with their Pumpkin Spice Cake. The decadent dessert comprises pumpkin nut spice cake, cream cheese frosting, pecans and pecan seed. Grab a cup of their house-brewed coffee to enjoy with a slice. 250 South 300 East, SLC
On Harvey Milk Blvd, the Asian-American dessert shop Chubby Baker is not playing when it comes to fall flavor. This season’s special donuts include the pumpkin spice chocolate chip and creme brulee. Grab a box of six and become the office hero! 317 East 900 South, SLC
It’s a well-known fact that fall is soup season, which means it’s also curry season, right? Grab a hearty bowl of pumpkin curry at Skewered Thai and pair it with a glass of house thai iced tea. 515 South 700 East, SLC
Wasatch’s Pumpkin Beer is on shelves now. Photo courtesy of Wasatch Instagram.
Experts in comfort food, the folks at Red Iguana make a variety of killer moles that stand on their own, or can be drizzled on top of your favorite Mexican dish. The red pipian mole is a spicy, smooth and slightly earthy mixture of pumpkin seeds, dried chile, peanuts, pepitas, onions and tomatoes. 735 West North Temple, SLC
Pumpkin Beer
Would it really be autumn without a barrage of pumpkin ales from our state’s fine brewers? Wasatch and Uinta are pouring their seasonal drafts and sell them by the bottle. Other brewers getting in on the action include Epic Brewing, Slackwater, Hopkins Brewing Co., Kiitos Brewing, Bewilder Brewing and Shades Brewing. Prost!
Lauded as one of the only spots in SLC where you can find a true New York bagel, The Bagel Project offers a small but mighty selection of sandwiches. Their poblano picaso is loaded with Manchego cheese, tomato, arugula, cilantro and a generous helping of Salsa Del Diablo’s Pumpkin and Pepper salsa spread. 779 South 500 East, SLC
Family-owned and operated, Afghan Kitchen specialized in authentic Middle Eastern meals cooked with purpose, and their mantus (steamed dumplings) are a menu staple. Add an order of pumpkin mantu to your next meal—pumpkin filled dumpling topped with split peas and house-made yogurt-garlic sauce. Or, try the burani kado, roasted pumpkin simmered with tomatoes and spices served with a side of salaata. 1465 South State St., SLC
Salt Lake’s STK is taking full advantage of the season with an entire menu featuring items like pumpkin ravioli & king crab, pumpkin and potato gratin, and American masabi bone marrow with pumpkin spice marmalade. 111 South 300 West, #101, SLC
Coffee
You know it, you love it. Pumpkin-spiced-anything coffee is here in a big way. These local coffee shops put their own twist on a seasonal fave. Just don’t be that person who orders it extra hot, no foam, at 210 degrees.
Loki Coffee—The Maven District’s cutest coffee shop is servingtwo specials featuring your favorite fall flavors. 325 East 900 South, SLC
Alpha Coffee—Whether you’re craving a spicy pumpkin creation with chipotle syrup and nutmeg, or a creamy concoction of white mocha, espresso and pumpkin sauce, Alpha Coffee has you covered. 111 South Main St., SLC
Roots Coffee—Pumpkin brown sugar latte with velvety steamed milk, sweet brown sugar, rich espresso and spiced pumpkin, need I say more? 774 South 300 West, SLC
Alchemy Coffee—The classic pumpkin latte, but make it ~chai~. Alchemy’s white mocha pumpkin chai is lovingly named Bigfoot. Ask your barista for the backstory. 390 East 1700 South, SLC
Kings Peak Coffee Roasters—Kings Peak is answering all your autumnal coffee needs with flair! 412 South 700 West Suite 140, SLC
District Coffee—Step into the Marmalade District coffee shop and order up a sweater weather latte: chai, white chocolate and pumpkin spice. 206 North 200 West, SLC
Old Cuss Cafe—The old western coffee house and vegetarian cafe is serving up two October specials, the smashed pumpkin latte and a whiskey peach latte. Get ’em while they’re hot cowboy. 2285 South Main St., South SLC
Bjorn’s Brew—Three spooky specials are here for your sipping pleasure this October. The witch’s brew combines a shot of espresso with pumpkin and cream. Multiple locations in SLC
Looking for a way to liven up your week ahead? Luckily, Utah has no shortage of exciting events to fill out your calendar. To help you make a selection, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite happenings around town, from macabre expo shows, astronomy gatherings and Oktoberfest celebrations! For even more events happening in Salt Lake City this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar.
Monday 9/16
What: Teton Gravity Research Presents Beyond the Fantasy Where: Red Butte Garden When: 09/16 at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. TGR’s presents its latest ski and snowboard film Beyond the Fantasy at Red Butte Garden. Arrive before the screening to enjoy prize giveaways, athlete signings, live music and plenty of outdoor swag.
Tuesday 9/17
What: Lunar Eclipse Viewing Party Where: North Fork Park When: 09/17 at 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ogden Valley Starry Nights is hosting a fun and educational evening under the stars. Settle in with a blanket or chair while you learn about the importance of dark skies and tips on how you can reduce light pollution. The eclipse will reach its maximum at 8:44 p.m.
What: Draper Farmer’s Market & Food Truck Roundup Where: 200 E 13400 South, Draper When: 09/17 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Every Tuesday through October 80 local vendors, musicians and food trucks gather at Smith Field Park. Shop seasonal produce, handcrafted goods and more!
Wednesday 9/18
What: Pups on the Patio with Peter Where: Scion Cider When: 09/18 at 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Scion Cider has partnered with expert dog trainer Peter Lenahan to offer two courses for your pooch. Teach your pup patio etiquette with hands-on lessons in managing environmental distractions, reinforcing alternative behaviors and remaining calm.
What: Artisanal Bloom Hand-Cut Floral Class Where: Artisanal Blooms Farm b: 09/18 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join LUX Floral & Design for a hands-on bouquet class where you’ll cut your own blooms fresh from the farm and learn how to arrange a gorgeous seasonal arrangement. The ticket includes all tools, materials and small bites.
Thursday 9/19
What: 2024 Wasatch Mountain Film Festival Where: Westminster Performing Arts Center b: 09/19-09/22 The 10th annual Wasatch Mountain Film Festival returns with 40 curated outdoor documentaries that expand perspectives and tell impactful stories. Between screenings, festival goers can take part in workshops, art markets and beer gardens.
What: Vintage Market Days Where: Cache County Fairgrounds, 450 South 500 West, Logan When: 09/19 – 09/21 Northern Utah’s premiere vintage experience invites shoppers to pursue over 185 vendors selling antiques, home decor, seasonal decor, gifts, clothing, and more.
Friday 9/20
What: Gem Faire 2024 Where: Mountain Expo Center When: 09/20-09/22 The largest gem, jewelry and bead show makes its stop in Salt Lake City this weekend. Vendors at this year’s show sell all manner of rare gems and earthly treasures, along with fine jewelry, gold, silver and more.
What: Tower of Terror at Broadway Where: Broadway Centre Cinemas When: 09/20 During The Tower Theatre’s ongoing renovation, their annual Tower of Terror Halloween screenings will take place at the Broadway Centre Cinemas. September 20th’s show is Evil Dead (1981).
Saturday 9/21
What: 9th & 9th Street Festival Where: 9th & 9th When: 09/21 at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A free family-friendly festival celebrating the 9th and 9th neighborhood with vendor booths, food trucks, face painting, kids activities and more.
What: CornFest Where: The Leonardo When: 09/21 at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit the Leonardo for a fun-filled day filled with activities and lessons on the history, culture, science and art of corn. Activities include cornhole games, corn husk doll workshop, farm to fork corn flights and a scavenger hunt.
What: Afro Utah Festival 4.0 Where: Library Square When: 09/21 at 12 p.m. Celebrate the rich diversity, culture and traditions of Afro National right here in the Beehive State at this free one-day festival. Highlights include storytelling lessons, mouthwatering Afro cuisine, and over 60 black-owned businesses.
What: Oktoberfest at Bewilder Brewing Where: Bewilder Brewing When: 09/21 at 11 a.m. Bewilder’s biggest week-long event returns with authentic German food and award-winning German-style brews. Their Ocktoberfest fun continues through September 28th.
What: Fisher Mansion Beer Garden Where: Albert Fisher Mansion and Carriage House When: 09/21 at 12 p.m. Fisher Brewing Company and Salt Lake City Events have partnered on a exciting weekend of free programming, complete with local food trucks, yard games and live music.
What: Indoor Local Vendor Market Where: The Local Eatery & Bar When: 09/21 at 12 p.m. Stop by The Local Eatery & Bar for Saturday Brunch and stay for their fun indoor vendor market featuring crafts, goods and food. And, don’t forget to try their entry in our 2024 Farm-to-Glass Cocktail Contest!
What: Salt Lake City Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2024 Where: Mountain America Expo Center When: 09/21-09/22 Fans of the strange and unusual rejoice, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo returns to SLC! The two-day show brings together all manner of the macabre, from preserved specimens, to taxidermy and funeral collectibles to horror-inspired fashion.
Sunday 9/22
What: SnowWiesn Oktoberfest Where: Snowbasin Resort When: 9/22 at 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Utah’s newest Oktoberfest celebration returns to Snowbasin Resort every Saturday and Sunday through October 6th. The German-inspired beer festival showcases local breweries, Bavarian food, live music, activities and a local craft market.
What: Community Craft Beer Festival Where: Mount Naomi Farms When: 09/22 at 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Spend the day at Mt. Naomi Farms & Vineyards for a day of delicious craft beers from 10 local and regional breweries.
What: Eccles Presents Voces En Bloom Where: Eccles Theatre When: 09/22 at 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. VOCES EN BLOOM is a bi-lingual concert featuring two latin artists, AMBAR LUCID and SLC native DETZANY.
Summer is nearing its end and Salt Lake is closing out the season with another exciting week of events. From free film screenings to spirit pairings and end-of-summer festivals, there is plenty to do this week in the city. For even more events happening in Salt Lake City this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar!
Monday 8/26
What: Film Buff Series—The Dark Crystal Where: Brewvies When: 8/26 at 9 p.m. Brewvies presents a free Monday night movie series featuring eclectic films. This Monday’s screening is 1982 cult favorite The Dark Crystal, a dark fantasy film directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Reserve your ticket here.
What: Spirits and Cigars Pairing Event Where: Prohibition When: 8/26 at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. In partnership with Tinderbox, Prohibition presents a cigar and spirits pairing every fourth Monday of the month. August’s pairing features three whiskeys from High West, and one cigar of your choice. Arrive early to enjoy dinner before the event, and then head out to the patio for the pairing.
Tuesday 8/27
What: 2024 Outdoor Concert Series: Pink Martini Featuring China Forbes Where: Red Butte Garden When: 8/27 at 6:30 p.m. Red Butte’s summer concert series continues with an iconic performance from Pink Martini, a self-proclaimed “Little Orchestra” comprising dozens of musicians since its formation in 1944.
Wednesday 8/28
What: Wine Tasting with Cheese Pairing Where: La Caille When: 8/28 at 6 p.m. Sample five exquisite Chateau La Caille wines with a selection of artisanal cheeses inside the venue’s sophisticated pairing room. Seating for the exclusive event is limited and requires reservation. Reserve your seat here.
What: West Valley City Summer Fest 2024 Where: Fairbourne Station Promenade When: 8/28 at 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Close out the summer at West Valley’s free summer festival. The evening event features food trucks, live entertainment, activity booths and more.
Thursday 8/29
What: Party on the Plaza Where: Trolley Square When: 8/29 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Held the last Thursday of every month through September, Trolley Square invites the community to come enjoy an evening of live entertainment, food trucks and a beer garden on their outdoor plaza.
What: Hot Dog and Wine Nights Where: Tea Zaanti When: 8/29 at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Relax inside Tea Zaanti’s vibey space with gourmet hot dogs and natural wine pairings. Each night features unique hot dog toppings and complementary wine, like last week’s lox dog paired with bubbly pet nat.
What: KRCL Annual Record and CD Sale Where: KRCL Studios, 535 West 300 North SLC When: 8/29 at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Back by popular demand, KRCL is hosting two vinyl shopping days featuring cassettes, CDs and vinyl. All sales benefit Listeners Community Radio of Utah KRCL, so get ready for a night of crate-digging for a cause!
Friday 8/30
What: 2024 Lemon Bash Where: Ken Garff University Club at Rice Eccles When: 8/30 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Northwestern Mutual Utah hosts the 2nd annual Lemon Bash in support of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. The event will feature delicious treats, family-friendly activities, a silent auction, and of course—lots of lemonade.
What: Friday Night Fun Films—The Goonies Where: Gallivan Center When: 8/30 at 8 p.m. The last in their Friday Night Fun Film series, the Gallivan Center will be screening The Goonies on August 30th. The family-friendly event takes place on their main plaza, the concession stand will be open for drinks and snacks.
What: Locally Made Locally Played Where: Broadway Centre Cinemas When: 8/30 at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Salt Lake Film Society and The Blocks present an evening of cinema and song. Attendees will hear from local musicians while snacking on local fare and end the evening with a movie screening.
Saturday 8/31
What: UMFA In the Wild—Watercolor Landscapes Where: Buffalo Point Deck at Antelope Island State Park When: 8/31 at 1 p.m. Get inspired by the wilderness of Utah’s Antelope Island with UMFA. Guests will hear from artists featured in UMFA’s latest exhibit, and learn new watercolor techniques to paint the landscape.
What: Sandy City Farmer’s Market Where: Sandy Amphitheater When: 8/31 at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sandy’s newest farmer’s market showcases a wide selection of local food vendors, unique goods and handmade items. Bring the whole family to enjoy a splash pad, live music, food trucks, crafting booths and more.
Sunday 9/1
What: Drag Bingo, Burgers and Beer Church Where: Club Try-Angles When: 9/01 at 2:30 p.m. Utah’s longest-running drag show Matrons of Mayhem hosts an afternoon of bingo, burgers and fun. Bingo begins at 3 p.m., drag performances to follow.
What: Park Silly Sunday Market Where: Park City Main Street When: 9/01 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Silly Market has been a Park City institution for 17 years and is an eclectic mix of live music, food carts and local vendors. The mainstay event typically attracts 15,000 people every Sunday, totaling about 200,00 people per season.
There are dive bars in Salt Lake that I’ll go to when I’m craving a cold draft beer, and cocktail lounges I’ll splurge at to expand my palate. Then there are bars that I head to when I’m feeling peckish. And I’m peckish a lot. These are places that I feel have mastered the art of the bar bite to satisfy even the most specific of cravings. They’ve gone above and beyond the ubiquitous pickled egg in a jar to offer a quick and delicious snack that is unique to their style and identity. So when you’re feeling peckish—and trust me, you will—consider these snacks to accompany your preferred libation.
White Horse’s OG bar snack has single handedly rewired my brain’s craving for salt and vinegar chips with a glass of crisp white wine. Their house potato chips are combined with malt vinegar, truffle and a Sous-Vide egg, all shaken tableside for maximum enjoyment.
What to Pair it With: Any acidic wine plays well with this dish’s zing and saltiness, but my go-to would be a Riesling or a Suav Blanc.
Snap Peas at Franklin Ave Cocktails & Kitchen. Photo by Adam Finkle.
Light, fresh and tantalizingly simple. The snap peas at Franklin Ave combine herbaceous thai basil, mint and fresno peppers with coconut milk and chile crisp for an Asian-inspired fusion dish.
What to Pair it With: Bright spirits will compliment the delicate nature of snap peas, I would go for the Lavender Drop Spritz—an effervescent combo of Vodka, butterfly pea simple, lavender, lemon and cava.
Known for their heaping burgers and intriguing shot selection, Salt Lake bar Lucky 13 also offers classic fried dill pickle spears on their menu. Substitute them for your french fries and order a side of Lucky 13’s secret sauce—you’ll thank me later.
What to Pair it With: You could opt for a hoity-toity pairing like a buttery chardonnay or a bright prosecco, but pickles and beer belong together. A crisp Lager will balance the pickle’s briny flavors.
Salt Lake’s newest bar and eatery has already built a loyal fanbase for this dish, to absolutely no one’s surprise. Roasted marrow, beer mustard, fried capers and chopped filet top a chunk of bone marrow for a decadent experience with every bite.
What to Pair it With: The Blunt Wrap, a boozy concoction of Plantation OFTD, Scotch, Benedictine and Carpano is an ideal partner for this dish. If you’re feeling up to the task, perhaps follow up with a mezcal or scotch bone marrow luge.
Scion Cider’s patio. Photo courtesy of Scion Cider.
If you don’t know about the tinned fish craze taking over the culinary world right now, get to know. Scion Cider offers a range of artisan tinned seafood served with pickles, hot sauce and Focaccia bread from their neighbors at C9 Market. Choose between high-quality, sustainable and delicious options like mackerel or smoked sea sprat.
What to Pair it With: A dry and tannic cider like Etta Place’s Dry sips lovely with conservas, I also enjoy a Basque-style pour like Shacksbury’s Arlo cider that can be slightly funky and tart.
Caffe Molisse’s lower-level wine bar is a top-tier date night locale, and serves up a condensed version of their sister restaurant’s Italian menu. The Prosciutto Dates are my go-to choice if I’m craving something sweet and savory all in one bite. Smoked almond stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto with a red wine reduction and gorgonzola crumbles—need I say more?
What to Pair it With: All the bold flavors in this dish are best accentuated by a minerally, fruit-forward orange wine. Sip and savor a few options with BTG’s Orange is the New Blanc wine flight.
The third annual Park City Song Summit is taking over the Canyons Amphitheater and Pendry hotel this weekend, and attendees can expect a full roster of wellness-meets-music programming. Between guided meditations, recovery meetups, panel discussions and evening performances, the PCSS offers a unique spin on the music festival model. “We’ve created a live music event in a setting that is more relaxed, where attendees can recharge and re-envision who they are,” says founder Ben Anderson. “Not only for audience members and musicians, but for the whole ecosystem of live music touring—the managers, the agents, the bus drivers. They can all use this weekend as a platform for self-actualization and self-reflection.”
Wellness Activities
Photo credit Mario Alcauter
The oxygen bars and hair braiding booths you find at Coachella are cute and all, but Park City Song Summit takes the concept of community activation to a whole new level of mindfulness. Throughout the weekend, guests can partake in guided mediation, yoga, hiking and sound baths as they navigate the festival grounds. Anderson has also reformatted this year’s programming to fit the needs of audience members and performers “It’s the music industry, a lot of artists want to sleep until noon if possible,” Anderson explains with a laugh. “We’ve adjusted what we offer for artist wellness versus audience wellness.” For those early-morning risers, 9 a.m. yoga on the Pendry’s rooftop pool deck is a perfect way to greet the day. And when the musicians roll out of bed, they can check out the recovery hangs later in the afternoon. “The recovery meetups are for anyone that wants to participate in speaking, or just sit, listen and be there for people.”
Festival goers can take advantage of even more mindful activities and comforting spaces at the Song Summit Village, which is open 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. “The wellness village is much larger this year,” Anderson says. “So whether you want to walk through a photography exhibit capturing 30 years of The Grateful Dead, grab a seat in a massage chair, enjoy a mocktail, or just need a hug from a cute puppy, there is a lot going on in this area of the festival.” The village will also host a plethora of vendor booths where guests can get B12 shots, shop clothing and jewelry and grab a bite from food trucks.
Summit Labs
The free-to-attend Summit Labs are another cornerstone of the festival. These panel discussions feature industry leaders talking about the challenges faced by modern musicians, the social impact of songwriting, harmful stereotypes in the music world, and much, much more. The labs occur during mid-morning and afternoon before live music begins on the main stages, and are staggered so attendees aren’t forced to choose. Anderson is particularly stoked about Friday’s lab “Navigating Creativity in the Age of AI” with hosts Larkin Poe, Eric Krasno and Steve Poltz. “This conversation is about destigmatizing some of the fear around AI,” he says. “They’ll talk about what AI is, how it can be used for good, and how it can be useful in the music industry.”
Live Music
“If all we did was yoga, sound baths, recovery meetups, panel discussions and meaningful conversations, that would already be an incredible artist retreat,” says Anderson. “All that is the meat and potatoes of Song Summit, but the gravy is dancing at night.” After a full day of relaxed mingling and participation, festival goers head over to the Canyons Village Amphitheater and Forum Stage for live performances from headliners like My Morning Jacket and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Mavis Staples. But it’s not a rat race to get from one stage to another, live music is spread out across the evening to create a relaxed experience for both listeners and performers. Start at the Forum Stage in the afternoon to catch artists like Jobi Riccio, Josh Kelley, and Primera Linea & The Trombone Short Academy. Then, at five o’clock, mosey on over to the main amphitheater for the headliners. And if you still have your legs under you on Friday night, head out to The Cabin on Main Street for a late night vibe. “The Cabin Show is next level,” Anderson says. “A triple bill of the legendary Steve Poltz, a LatinX band Making Movies and Jobi Riccio who is an amazing songwriter and great performer.” Aftershows at The Cabin are only happening on Friday night, so night owl jammers be ready to go all out.
The Park City Song Summit is an opportunity for connection, reflection, and a chance to experience music in a more relaxed headspace. Above all else, Anderson wants each attendee to walk away with a sense of community. “I hope they walk away with the understanding they’re not alone. From the beauty and the platform of live music, there is healing, there is love, there’s connection. They are not alone in their struggles, in their challenges, in their love of live music. I want them to leave more mindful of the challenges that others are going through, and know that at the end of the day, love is still the answer. If they leave with that, man, I’m happy.”
Find the full schedule for the Park City Song Summit here. Single day amphitheater tickets are still available.
A new cafe and restaurant concept from Leave Room for Dessert Eateries is coming to the heart of Sugar House in early 2025. The brand new restaurant is the latest addition to the group’s award-winning roster, including Park City’s Hearth and Hill, and downtown Salt Lake’s Urban Hill whose Chef Nick Zocco was previously named a James Beard finalist for ‘Best Chef in the Mountain Region’ category.
Construction of the property is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by the LRFDE collective and development partners Lowe Property Group. The ceremony offered a sneak peek at the space which includes a 6,000-square-foot restaurant that will serve upscale casual lunch and dinner options, and Hill’s Kitchen; a 3,000-square-foot cafe with plenty of grab-and-go options, fresh pastries, pizza and more. While still in the early stages of the interior build-out, it’s not hard to picture the warm gatherings that will take place and the no-doubt delicious meals that will be savored. “Our mission is to inspire our associates, thrill our guests and enrich our community,” says Heath & Hill’s co-founder Brooks Kirchheimer. “We take that very seriously, and are really excited to be able to do that here in Sugar House.”
The forthcoming restaurant will join the ranks of Sugar House’s evolving dining community, but it hasn’t been an easy road. In October of 2022, the still-under-construction Sugar Alley was engulfed in flames and burned for days on end. Well-versed in putting out our proverbial restaurant-related fires, Kirchheimer remembers getting the late-night call with the heart-stopping news that the building was on fire. While the building burned, residents of the adjacent SugarMont complex were evacuated and some nearby businesses were forced to close for up to two weeks. The fire, of which the cause has been officially reported as “undetermined,” resulted in $59 million dollars in damage. “In the end, we’re just grateful for our fire team and the great work they do for the community, we can’t thank them enough.” The team of firefighters who worked tirelessly against the fire that night were in attendance during the groundbreaking ceremony and received a warm round of applause and gratitude from the entire Hearth and Hill team.
Sugar House residents might start enjoying Hearth & Hill’s telltale hospitality as early as next year. Until then, the neighborhood’s construction woes will continue as projects have been slated to continue well into the winter and through 2025. At least there will be some delectable meals waiting at the end of the long, orange cone-littered tunnel.
