Christie Porter has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade, writing about everything under the sun, but she really loves writing about nerdy things and the weird stuff. She recently published her first comic book short this year.
Celebrity appearances, cosplay contests, superheroes on parade, musical performances and all manner of fan experiences made memorable the final day at 2024 FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
The winners of the FanX 2024 Cosplay Contest strut their stuff on the main stage in the ballroom at the Salt Palace, featuring costumes by hardworking, creative cosplayers from across Utah and from across across fandoms, like video games Baldur’s Gate 3, Horizon Zero Dawn and The Legend of Zelda, television and film properties like Disney Studios and House of the Dragon, as well as D.C. and Marvel comic book universes.
FanX 2024 Cosplay Contest Winners (photos courtesy FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention)
The FanX 2024 Cosplay Contest’s had experienced judges at the helm and members of the FanX Cosplay Hall of Fame were on hand: Marial Clark, Eric Hall, Shandra Mutchie and Travis Hysell. These Hall of Famers are involved in various charity cosplay organizations and nonprofit endeavors, such as Heroic Inc and The Legacy Initiative. Hysell, among others, also helped organize a costumed parade of X-Men cosplayers through the convention hall, following the Marvel Cosplay Meetup.
For people waiting in line to get into the Salt Palace Convention Center, the queue moved speedier than it had the previous day, Thursday, when some attendees reporting waiting in line upwards of 1.5 hours to pickup wristbands and enter the convention center.
One of the surprising additions at FanX this year was a immaculately designed booth for Dragonsteel, the company of Utah-based fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, who also hosted a packed signing at the booth.
Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson signing at Dragonsteel booth at FanX 2024.
Author and celebrity signings and meet-ups also allow for heartwarming moments where a fan reunited with Andy Serkis after giving him a gift last year that he still treasures.
This year, FanX hosted a number of third party experiences, activations and activities away from the vendor floor, such as the Dreamland Maid Cafe experience, which was booked out for the entire con.
Two performers from the Dreamland Maid Cafe at FanX 2024. The concept originates from Los Angeles, recreating “super-kawaii” anime themes, complete with food, drink, live performance, and photo-ops. Instagram: @dreamlandmaidcafe
Another experience off the main vendor floor at FanX 2024 is the Simpsons-themed Moe’s Tavern, which provided a place for cocktails to be served on the premises of the Salt Palace. FanX attendees could escape the crowds of floor to enjoy a game of jenga in the Tavern. Other activities this year included the “Blockbuster Experience,” for attendees of a certain age who miss the singular feeling of venturing into an old-school video store.
Of course, fan cosplay (a portmanteau of “costume” and play”) is aways a big draw at FanX, and 2024 was no different. Attendees might have been lucky enough to spy the colonel walking around the floor of the convention hall.
Another change at FanX 2024 from previous years included moving official cosplay group meet-ups and photo-ops from the grand staircase of the Salt Palace Convention Center to a small room off the convention floor. One of Friday’s big meet-ups was the D.C. Comics character meetup, attended by heroes and villains from Gotham, Metropolis and beyond.
FanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Raymond Jesse Schluter FanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Raymond Jesse Schluter FanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Mark LoertscherFanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Raymond Jesse Schluter FanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Mark LoertscherFanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Mark LoertscherFanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Raymond Jesse Schluter FanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Mark LoertscherFanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Mark LoertscherFanX 2024 D.C. Meet-Up photo by Raymond Jesse Schluter
With a chill glass of crisp,bubbly rosé in my hand (not my first), I remark, “This is the good life,” while taking in the backside of Wasatch Mountains and the mountain-chic Park City set, both dressed for early autumn and welcoming, bathed in sunlight and a steady flow of wine. The Grand Tasting of the Park City Wine Festival needs no pretense. It is not about “drinking wine to celebrate a promotion” nor “drinking wine to take in a show.” It is about “drinking wine to drink wine.” The event is made to please wine lovers, especially those who enjoy taking their favorite hobby outdoors and with friends… and the mountain views are spectacular.
The mountain scenery pairs beautifully with the wine. Photo courtesy of Park City Wine Festival.
The Grand Tasting at Canyons Village brings together more than 100 international and domestic wine producers, ready to proudly share their work with the festival’s attendees. At this particular Grand Tasting, I discovered and fell in love with a sparkling Brut Rosé by Soter Estates, delightfully nicknamed “Soter-pop” by one Salt Lake City bar aficionado. But there are a dozen other ways to enjoy the festival outside of the tasting. You can get your fill of the best of Summit County’s outdoor and culinary experiences in one wine-soaked weekend.
“We love that the festival is truly a choose-your-own-adventure novel come to life. Some attendees are thrilled at the idea of three full days of wine blending sessions, paired dinners, and nighttime experiences,” says Kristen Slater, Park City Wine Festival Events Director. Most festival activities and events are ticketed individually, lending itself to the “choose-your-own-adventure” nature of the festival.
For those thirsty for knowledge, wine experts from Utah and around the world host educational events at the festival, often catered by some of Park City’s lauded restaurants. In one such session, The Wine Academy of Utah’s Jim Santangelo will guide attendees on a journey of fine wines while never leaving the heart of historic Palomino Park City, whose culinary team will provide paired “light bites.” Santangelo will also present the event “Wine is Blind,” a blind wine tasting that will help participants get over any preconceived notions they might have based on the wine’s label.
As a sonic backdrop for your wine tasting adventure, the grand tasting features a line up of local and touring musicians. Photo courtesy of Park City Wine Festival.
But it’s not all standing about and taking in the views while musing about notes of orchard fruit and a peppery nose. Mix a scenic hike into your experience and sign up for a trek up Bald Mountain, accompanied by a sommelier (and a 2,000-foot elevation gain). The hike culminates in a three-course meal curated by a new Deer Valley restaurant fittingly dubbed Alpinist and, of course, a wine pairing. Choose your own adventure, indeed.
The first day of FanX 2024 Salt Lake Comic and Pop Culture Convention has come and gone, but the memories will last a lifetime.
The first thing I notice at any comic convention is the cosplay, and, at Fan X, it seems like it is harder to find someone not dressed up than people who dress up.
Here are some of our favorite cosplays we spotted on the convention floor this year!
We met a group of friends cosplaying as characters from The Lord of the Rings. They were celebrating the 40th birthday of their friend (dressed as Legolas). The cosplayer dressed as Gandalf traveled all the way from Oslo to be there.
Another The Lord of the Ring‘s cosplay we must mention is the family that dressed up together and made sure to include the terrifying Eye of Sauron.
Local comic book creators, and all-around geek extraordinaire, Andrew Malin and Nataly Soto as character from Disney’s Duck Tales! Malin had the “duck voice” down pat.
Because it makes for the perfect segue, here is a cosplayer dressed as a character from the video game Baldur’s Gate 3, Isobel, a cleric of the goddess Selene.
Members the voice cast of the hit role-playing video game, set in the universe Dungeons and Dragons, wowed fans at their packed panel and signed autographs on the convention floor.
There was so much more to see and do, including some beautiful wares for sale and some impeccable and imaginative booth design on the vendor floor, as well as musical performances on the main stage and a pirate sheep complete with a mermaid!
Pirate Ship on Vendor FloorTruffle Cottage goodiesLife-size Appa from Avatar the Last Airbender.Live painting at the Anarchy Girls booth in Cosplay Central. Live painting at the Anarchy Girls booth in Cosplay Central. Dice at Robin’s Nerd Supplies.Madison Nickens’ “Bard Session”The Mighty Utahn local comic book with Salt City Comics.
See you on day two at FanX 2024!
For details and tickets for 2024 FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention, visit fanxsaltlake.com.
I love comic books. There are not many things I will evangelize about—but I will about comics.
It is a medium that has endured in its present form for 100 years. Nothing seems to spark our imagination and sense of wonder, nostalgia, sentimentality and idealism quite like a comic book. Comic books have the power to tap into something deep, about which fully grown humans will still engage in enthusiastic (and heated) arguments. And, I know this is not just a “me” thing.
“No offense to film or television, but comics is the greatest visual storytelling medium on the planet.”
I had the pleasure to interview one of my favorite comic book writers at San Diego Comic-Con. This is a person who has created some of the most beloved comics of all time and developed multiple television shows and film adapted from comics. They understand the many modes in which we can tell a story, and they told me, “No offense to film or television, but comics is the greatest visual storytelling medium on the planet.”
I think everyone should get the chance to meet their favorite comic creators. And, if you’re not a comic book reader (yet), a local comic shop is a great place to start. I came to comics as an adult, and I couldn’t believe I had gone so long without immersing myself in this vibrant, CMYK world. And, who knows, you could meet your soon-to-be favorite at your local comic convention.
A few comic book creators will be at our local convention, FanX Salt Lake Comic and Pop Culture Convention, this week (Sept. 26-28) at the Salt Palace Convention Center, and it sure would be a shame to miss a chance to talk to them, take a look at their work, get an autograph and thank them for their service. You’ll find many of them in Artist Alley.
Afua Richardson is an artist who won an Eisner Award for her work on Black Panther World of Wakanda. Her Black Panther art directly inspired the look of the subsequent Blank Panther Marvel film. She was one of the first Indigenous/Afro-American female artists to work for Marvel Comics as a penciler, inker and colorist. Her latest work is the title Aquarius, Book of Mer and A Marvel Voices Specials celebrating Native American Heritage Month, Kahhori: Reshaper Of Worlds, which comes out in November.
Do you remember The Crow? Of course you do—the remake literally just came out this year. Well, O’Barr is the guy who made the highly influential and stylized “goth” comic that started the whole thing.
Ken Lashley is a longtime career artist who has worked for Marvel, D.C., Lucas Film, Mattel and Hasbro, to name a few. Odds are, he has drawn your favorite comic character or super-team in a book or on the cover, inlcuding: Excalibur, X-Caliber Age of Apocalypse, Black Panther, X-men, Flash, JLA, Superman, Superman Doomed, Spawn, Spider-Man, Venom, Moonknight, and Wolverine VS Predator.
Larry Hama has written some of the most wild and memorable stories in comics. He had an ongoing run on Marvel’s Wolverine during some of the peak Wolverine popularity in the 80s and 90s, as well as writing/drawing/editing Avengers, Conan, Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, Spider-Man, etc., but Hama is perhaps best known for his work writing G.I. Joe—creating the whole world and characters and story based on the Hasbro toys.
Another artist who has definitely drawn your favorite comic character. Will Conrad’s work as a Marvel exclusive artist includes X-Men, New Avengers, Black Panther, Elektra, Captain America, and he’s worked on the comics of Star Wars, Serenity, Conan, Batman, Action Comics, Green Lantern, Flash, Judge Dredd and Justice League.
Camron Johnson is an illustrator and cover artist for comics publishers like Image/Skybound, IDW and Dynamite. He is the Creator of the best-selling independent comic book series’ BONECHECK, MEDUSON, FREEZER BURN, and is co-creator of ALL THE OLD GODS.
Tim Bradstreet(POSTPONED APPEARANCE) Tim Bradstreet is an Eisner Award nominated artist and illustrator. Bradstreet has since drawn for hundreds of comic and game-related projects including Activision’s Vampire: Bloodlines video game, Dark Horse’s Hard Looks, Another Chance to Get It Right with writer Andrew Vachss, and Star Wars, Clive Barker’s Age of Desire, Marvel’s The Punisher and Blade, and Vertigo’s Gangland, Unknown Soldier, Human Target, and Hellblazer, as well as covers for BAD PLANET with co-creators Steve Niles, Thomas Jane and Lewis Larosa.
Local Comic Creators at FanX
Doug Wagner Doug Wagner is an Utah-based comics writer, known for his popular, mature “materials” books with Image Comics, including Plush, Vinyl and Plastic. He is also the author of Klik Klik Boom, Beware the Eye of Odin—a take on classic Nordic folklore, Legends of the Dark Knight, World of Warcraft: Bloodsworn, and many more. Look for Wagner at FanX at the booth for Utah creators setup by local comic shop The Nerd Store.
Chris Hoffman, Andrew Malin, Nataly Soto of Velleity Studios Chris Hoffman and Andrew Malin are local comic creators and the co-founders of indie comics studio, Velleity Studios. They will be signing their latest comics with creator Nataly Soto at The Nerd Store’s Utah Creator’s Booth on Friday at FanX
Salt City Comic Salt City Comic and creator of the satirical cartoon The Mighty Utahn can be found at booth E24 at FanX. If you can laugh at some good-natured jokes at Utah’s expense, definitely take a look at The Mighty Utahn.
Adrian Ropp Adrian Ropp is an illustrator from Idaho (but he feels like a local institution at FanX) that will be at FanX this year in both the GAMING ROOM and Artist Alley at booth A1309. He’s an artist for Disney Villains comics, Jughead and Little Archie books, Pink Panther and Underdog.
“Printed Garden” All-Ages Graphic Novel and Comics Authors at FanX
Jess Smart Smiley Jess Smart Smiley is an Utah-based cartoonist and friend of the magazine. Smiley is the author of Let’s Make Comics!An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons, which regularly tops best-seller lists on Amazon.
John Patrick Green John Green is the writer and artist of New York Times-bestselling InvestiGATORS, a middle-grade graphic novel series.
Johanna Taylor Johanna Taylor is the creator of the YA graphic novel THE GHOSTKEEPER and has worked on comics for independent publishers such as Limit Break Comics, EEP, and 2CGaming, and publishing houses such as Oni Lion Forge, Penguin Random House and MIT Press.
Kimberli Johnson Kimberli Johnson is a comic book creator who writes young reader comics and “draws cute critters and magical folk,” including Emilie: Knight in Training for Oni Press.
BEFORE YOU GO TO FANX…
A couple of tips for both new comic convention attendees and returning champions:
Check the schedule in advance to get a plan out your day at the convention. The programming schedule is now live online.
Download the FanX mobile app to put the latest convention schedule in the palm of your hands and know when things change with notifications.
Read the rules! Whether for wearing cosplay and costumes to the convention or updated ADA protocols, it can save you the headache and heartache later.
Ride TRAX. With a stop just a few blocks from the Salt Palace Convention Center, spare yourself the pain of finding parking downtown while fighting 10,000 other people for a stall.
Book your tickets, photo-ops and autographs in advance online. That means fewer lines on the day.
Consent is key. You will want to take photos of activations, art, booths, celebrities, cosplayers and robots…but ask first if the subject is OK having their photo taken!
For details and tickets for 2024 FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention, visit fanxsaltlake.com.
Now in its 11th year, Salt Lake City’s FanX is back this week, September 26-28, at the Salt Palace Convention Center, and FanX founder Dan Farr says it will be the biggest year yet, with more than 100 celebrity guests.
The list of celebrity guests includes actors from beloved and fan-favorite television and film franchises, like The Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars and Ghostbusters.
Group photo-op available at FanX Salt Lake Comic and Pop Culture Convention.
Farr says that is something that has changed over the years, the ability to bring in an entire cast of a film or multiple celebrities from the same project or franchise. This year, all of the actors who played hobbits in The Lord of the Rings (2001), and Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum, are on this year’s guest list, along with John Rhys-Davies, the actor who portrayed Gimli in the films. Convention attendees have the chance to pay for a group photo-op with “the hobbits,” including Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan.
According to Farr, the problem he has found in recent years is not trying to find enough guests, but it’s having to say “no” to some people and be a little more selective about who they say “yes” to.
As far as making those determinations for who to invite, Farr says, ”My secret to this is I don’t rely on my own likes and dislikes. I have to really rely on a whole army of people and get the feedback from other people and then implement that.”
“It comes in a little more organically from the staff and a lot of times, even from the community suggesting things and us listening and pulling it off,” adds Farr.
One source for guest list suggestions is his daughter, about whom Farr says, “She’s constantly shooting me names of the voice actors for an anime series. She’s quite knowledgeable.”
Farr admits that, when the convention was starting out, the appeal of having voice actors on the guest list was a bit beyond him. “Eight years ago, I would have no idea that one of our biggest panels would be a cartoon voice script reading panel.”
He’s referring to the Twisted Toons panel, which has been a mainstay on the program ever since. The idea is simple, a handful of voice actors do a table read of a film script in front of the panel audience—oh, and they rotate through their repertoire of voices as they read the script. The panel produces impromptu and hilarious pop culture mash-ups, such as voice actor Jim Cummings reading Voldemort’s lines in Harry Potter in the voice of Winnie the Pooh.
Farr has since come around to the power of voice actors. At FanX 2024, the cast of the popular animated series X-Men ’97 is on the guest list. He has also come around on another genre that use to mystify him: anime.
“I didn’t really even grasp what the power of it really was. The entertaining value of those things. But I’ve grown to really enjoy it,” he says. In fact, he’s watched the entire run of One Piece, an anime based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, currently on Netflix. And yes, actors who did the English dub for One Piece will be at FanX this year as well.
Just a taste of the FanX 2024 celebrity guest list.
Another surprise is the popularity of seemingly niche shows like Hazbin Hotel, musical animated series for mature audiences that is set in hell with the plucky daughter of Satan as the lead of a cast of misfits. Yes, even hell has misfits. “I can’t believe how popular it is. I’ve gone to other conventions. I’m just seeing how giant the lines are to meet the voice actors for that,” says Farr. The voice cast for Hazbin Hotel is also slated to be at FanX.
Sometimes, the selection of celebrity guests comes down to kismet. Patrick Warburton will be at the convention because he already happened to have a show booked at Wise Guys SLC at the Gateway on Sept. 26.
“It’s always nice to try new things and see what people respond to,” explains Farr. “You don’t want to just do the same thing every year. Sometimes, you know, you do get a little bit out of your comfort zone…but at the same time, you want to really just explore new things and keep it interesting, too.”
Before you go to FanX…
A couple of tips for both new comic convention attendees and returning champions:
Check the schedule in advance to get a plan out your day at the convention. The programming schedule is now live online.
Download the FanX mobile app to put the latest convention schedule in the palm of your hands and know when things change with notifications.
Read the rules! Whether for wearing cosplay and costumes to the convention or updated ADA protocols, it can save you the headache and heartache later.
Ride TRAX. With a stop just a few blocks from the Salt Palace Convention Center, spare yourself the pain of finding parking downtown while fighting 10,000 other people for a stall.
Book your tickets, photo-ops and autographs in advance online. That means fewer lines on the day.
Consent is key. You will want to take photos of activations, art, booths, celebrities, cosplayers and robots…but ask first if the subject is OK having their photo taken!
For details and tickets for 2024 FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention, visit fanxsaltlake.com.
When violinist David Porterfirst walked out on stage at Abravanel Hall to audition for the Utah Symphony, his nerves almost got the better of him. The auditions were blind, and a screen hung between Porter and the audition committee. No one saw how the young musician stood stunned by the vision of the hall, with its glittering chandeliers and gold-gilded balconies.
“I remember starting my Mozart concerto, and it was just…a transcendent sound,” Porter recalls how the hall’s exquisite acoustics took him away from feeling nervous about what the committee thought of his playing. “It’s just such a special space,” says Porter, who is now a violinist with the Utah Symphony. “It feels like part of me. I know it’s just a building, but it feels exceptional. It’s a part of Salt Lake and a part of its history…The idea that that hall would be torn down still seems impossible to believe.”
Utah Symphony violinst David Porter performs on the stage at Abravanel Hall.
When billionaire businessman Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), announced his plan for a Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention District in Downtown Salt Lake City, the plan for the development around the Delta Center seemed to put a new road right through the middle of Salt Palace, UMOCA and Abravanel Hall, which could be torn down and rebuilt as a result. The Musicians of the Utah Symphony, American Institute of Architects (Utah chapter), members of the public—even legendary film score composer John Williams (Star Wars, Jurassic Park) —voiced their desire to preserve the hall in its current location. An online petition to save the hall garnered 50,000 signatures. Their message: world-class symphony halls like Abravanel Hall are not replaceable.
“It’s important for us to remind people that building a great concert hall is very difficult. It’s more of an art than a science,” explains Porter. Much like how a great violin maker will create a new violin that sounds wonderful and when he replicates the process to make another violin, cannot reproduce the same quality of sound. “That’s our concern. That, in our haste to create this new development downtown, we will forget how great our hall is and how important it is to retain.”
The view of Abravanel Hall from West Temple.Abravanel Hall’s design features unobstructed views, 16-foot crystal chandeliers and 24-karat gold leaf.
The Musicians of the Utah Symphony’s hope is to save the whole hall in its current form. They say that does not mean that the hall cannot be renovated or have additions like a lobby to face the other side of the street so it better aligns with the orientation of the SECC district plan.
“We’re not at all against changing things for the better, but we believe that the best and most affordable option for the county, too, is to keep the hall that we have.” Salt Lake County, which owns and operates Abravanel Hall, authored a report claiming that needed renovations would cost $200 million, a figure that symphony musicians and city planning commissioners have disputed as overinflated.
At the time of this writing, the future of the hall is still uncertain, but the tenor of some public officials has changed. According to a statement from Utah Symphony/Utah Opera (USUO), Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said at a May 20 USUO Board of Trustees meeting that the County’s “plan A” had included rebuilding Abravanel Hall.
The above rendering illustrates the section of downtown Salt Lake City slated for the new sports and entertainment district.
A month later (after the public backlash), the County was instead exploring “plans B and C,” but USUO had not seen any site plans from the County.
The Salt Lake City Planning Commission unanimously voted against the requested zoning changes for the SECC, recommending to the City Council that “Abravanel Hall be maintained in its present form on its present site and with the possibility of funding through the district for a modest renovation.”
They also objected to the speed at which the plan is being pushed through. The Planning Commission has only an advisory role, however, and The City Council voted to move forward with a deal with SEG. The council had a deadline to decide whether to endorse participation in the agreement by Sept. 1, as required by the legislature. After that, the proposed agreement goes to the revitalization zone committee, which has 30 days to send the plan back to the council for a vote on final approval.
Ultimately, the fate of Abravanel Hall will likely come down to whatever Salt Lake County officials decide.
Porter and the other Musicians of the Utah Symphony are asking members of the public to reach out to their city and county council representatives and ask them to preserve Abravanel Hall.
“I think we see ourselves as stewards of the hall,” says Porter, who has been heartened by the show of public support. “It’s just been incredible to see the support and the community springing into action to save it. I just. I hope it’s enough.”
More than two dozen athletes with Utah ties are competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics—for both Team USA and other nations. Thus far, a few of them will be coming home with medals.
Park City resident and Mountain Biker Haley Batten took home the silver medal for Team USA in the Women’s Cross-country event. Salt Lake magazine interviewed Batten last summer about her Olympic hopes and recent challenges.
Team USA Women’s Rugby Team beat Australia for the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics. Two members of the team have some Utah connection: Steph Rovetti attended BYU, where she competed in basketball, and Alex “Spiff” Sedrick is from Salt Lake City and played for the Utah Vipers rugby team.
Track and Field athlete and Salt Lake City resident Grant Fisher nabbed the bronze medal in the Men’s 10,000 meter event.
BYU student Kenneth Rooks won a silver medal in the Men’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase—an intense race where runners must overcome obstacles like hurdles and pools of water.
Many more Paris Olympic athletes with Utah connections are still competing, with a chance to bring home a medal, in upcoming events:
Women’s Bouldering and Lead Semifinal on Thursday, August 8 at 2:00 a.m. Women’s Track and Field Heptathlon First Heat on Thursday, August 8 at 2:05 a.m. Men’s Speed Climbing Quarterfinal on Thursday, August 8 at 4:35 a.m. Women’s Track and Field 4×400 Meter Relay on Friday, August 9 at 2:40 a.m. Men’s Bouldering and Lead Final on Friday, August 9 at 2:15 and 4:35 a.m. Women’s Bouldering and Lead Final on Saturday August 10 at 2:15 and 4:35 a.m. Men’s Track and Field 5,000 Meter Final on Saturday August 10 at 11:50 a.m. Men’s Marathon on Saturday, August 10 at 12 a.m.
The 2024 Paralympics will air August 28–September 8.
It is worth noting, the USA Track and Field and USA Sport Climbing both have headquarters in Salt Lake City, which is why many of the Paris Olympic athletes on those teams have Utah ties—either living or training in Utah.
Athletes with a connection to Utah competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics:
Basketball 3×3
Team USA Jimmer Fredette (BYU)
Canada Paige Crozon (University of Utah) Michelle Plouffe (University of Utah)
Cycling Mountain Bike
Team USA Haley Batten (Park City, Utah; Park City High School)—Silver Medal, Women’s Cross-country
Diving
Sweden Emilia Nilsson Garip (3m; University of Utah)
Rugby
Team USA Steph Rovetti (BYU)—Bronze Medal, Women’s Rugby Sevens Alex “Spiff” Sedrick (Salt Lake City, Utah; Utah Vipers, Utah Lions Rugby Club)—Bronze Medal, Women’s Rugby Sevens Maka Unufe (Provo, Utah; Provo High School)
Shooting
Team USA Alexis Lagan (University of Utah)
Soccer
Team USA Taylor Booth (Eden, Utah; Real Salt Lake Academy)
France Amandine Henry (Utah Royals)
Japan Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals)
New Zealand Macey Fraser (Utah Royals)
Nigeria Ifeoma Onumonu (Utah Royals)
Sports Climbing
Team USA Colin Duffy (Bouldering and Lead Combined; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Natalia Grossman (Bouldering and Lead Combined; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Jesse Grupper (Bouldering and Lead Combined; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Brooke Raboutou (Bouldering and Lead Combined; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Zach Hammer (Speed; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Emma Hunt (Speed; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Piper Kelly (Speed; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah) Sam Watson (Speed; USA Climbing; Salt Lake City, Utah)
Track and Field
Team USA Grant Fisher (5000m and 10,000m, Run Elite Program)—Bronze Medal, Men’s 10,000 Meter Whittni Morgan (5000m; Panguitch, Utah; Panguitch HS; BYU; Run Elite Program; Taylor Made Elite) Chari Hawkins (Heptathlon; Utah State University) Conner Mantz (Marathon; Logan, Utah; Sky View High School; BYU; Run Elite Program) Clayton Young (Marathon; American Fork High School; BYU; Run Elite Program) James Corrigan (Steeplechase; BYU; Run Elite Program) Kenneth Rooks (Steeplechase; BYU; Run Elite Program)—Silver Medal, Men’s 3,000-meter Steeplechase Courtney Wayment (Steeplechase; Layton, Utah; Davis High School; BYU; Taylor Made Elite)
Canada Simone Plourde (1500m; BYU; University of Utah) Rory Linkletter (Marathon; Herriman High School; BYU)
Norway Josefine Eriksen (4x400m relay; University of Utah)
Paralympics
David Blair (Para-Track and Field; Eagle Mountain, Utah) Dennis Connors (Para-cycling; University of Utah) Ali Ibanez (Wheelchair Basketball; Murray, Utah) Garrett Schoonover (Wheelchair Fencing; Sandy, Utah) Hunter Woodhall (Para-Track and Field; Syracuse, Utah)
Woodhall is married to Team USA Track and Field athlete Tara Davis-Woodhall, ranked first in the world for long jump, who competes in the Women’s Long Jump Final on Thursday, August 8 at noon in Paris.
The first visual impression Iceland makes on visitors is that of a craggy, volcanic rock draped in a lush mantle of moss-green lichen. The lichen is fragile and posted signs warn tourists to stay on designated paths, lest their stray footfalls damage the century-old heaths. Perhaps this demonstrates the double-edge of the tourism boom to the land of fire and ice. Much of Iceland’s beauty draws crowds because it is wild, singular, ancient and untouched by humans, but the more people visit Iceland, the less likely it is for it to remain so. Tourism has become Iceland’s primary export in the last decade, with more than 2.3 million visitors expected this year. To put that in perspective, there are fewer than 400,000 total residents in Iceland. It’s a small country with limited infrastructure to support large crowds outside of the capital city of Reykjavík. An industry has formed around the increased travel, and, while Iceland is welcoming, that welcome wears thin when visitors are disrespectful.
The author and Sam Sabine at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. An arm of the glacier is visible in the distance. Photo credit Michael Porter.
A Week in Iceland
There were four of us. My brother (the photographer) and I (the writer) and our partners (the producer and the artist). We had a week in Iceland and wanted to see and experience as much as we possibly could. We rented a car and hit the road—the Ring Road, to be specific, a road that travels Iceland’s entire coast. We would need at least another week to circumnavigate the whole island, but one week took us from Reykjavík on the west coast to the Eastfjords on the east coast, with all of the beauty of the Southern region—Vatnajökull (Europe’s biggest glacier), basalt waterfalls and black sand beaches—in between.
Pro Tip: Before you set off, look into renting a wireless hotspot to stay connected on the road. Despite the remoteness of some of the areas we visited, we almost always had internet service.
Krossanesfjall mountain in Southeast Iceland. Photo credit Michael Porter.
No.1 Lava Fields and Hot Pools
The Keflavík International Airport is in a southwestern region of Iceland called the Reykjanes Peninsula, which means many visitors’ first stops are roadside outlooks over endless moss-covered lava fields, geothermal pools and hiking trails in the shadow of a volcano. The Blue Lagoon hot spring is a popular spot for visitors straight from the airport for obvious reasons. Who doesn’t want a hot soak, mimosa and mineral face mask after a nine-hour flight from the States? However, all of that geothermal fun comes at a cost. Recent eruptions and seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula have put some areas on alert and closed popular tourist destinations.
Pro Tip: If Blue Lagoon is closed due to volcanic activity at the time of your visit, continue to Reykjavik for an introductory soak at Sky Lagoon
The famous “Rainbow Street,” painted in celebration of Reykjavík Pride. Photo credit Michael Porter.
No. 2 Reykjavík nightlife
With a 6 a.m. arrival at the airport and a few hours spent at the hot springs, get to Reykjavík just in time to check into the hotel or vacation rental, clean up and head out to enjoy the local sights, dining scene and nightlife. (You could attempt a power nap, but we recommend powering through until bedtime to acclimate to the time zone.) Music fans can time their trip to Reykjavík for Icelandic Airwaves (Nov. 7–9, 2024), an international genre-bending music festival held in venues across the city. Stop by Hallgrimskirkja, a church designed to look like Iceland’s basalt cliff formations and the statue of Viking Leifur Eiríksson. Keep an eye out for Laugavegur, a pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare lined with cafes, shops and bars, and Skólavörðustígur, an easy street to spot given it is painted in Instagram-worthy rainbow color blocks.
No. 3 Chasing waterfalls
The road east from Reykjavík, through the Southern region, will take you past fields of stout Icelandic horses, ancient Viking turf homes and some of the most stunning waterfalls in the world. Urridafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in the world by volume, but it’s typically far less crowded than the two waterfalls down the road. Gljufrabui is a waterfall hidden among “troll caves” a short hike from the towering waterfall Seljalandsfoss. Just down the road, you’ll find the rather impressive Skógafoss. Closer to the glacier Vatnajökull, the hike to the basalt column waterfall, Svartifoss, is well worth it.
Pro tip: Another can’t-miss hike is the trail to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Imagine volcanic rock walls, softened with tufts of grass and moss, collapsing into sheer rock faces to the swirling cerulean water below.
Natural basalt columns frame the waterfall Svartifoss in Vatnajökull National Park. Photo by Michael Porter.
No. 4 Vík sightseeing
You will know you’re in Vík when you spot Vík i Myrdal Church, a nearly 100-year-old white church with a red roof, rising on a hillside above the town. Many come to visit nearby Reynisfjara Beach, a beautiful black sand beach with basalt columns and caverns and a dangerous reputation. The quick, powerful ocean waves will damage camera equipment and knock over inattentive people, sometimes dragging them out to sea. Vík is also home to my favorite Icelandic coffee shop, Skool Beans (skoolbeans.com), which, as the name might suggest, took up residence in a renovated yellow school bus. If he happens to be in, be sure to say “Hi” to the manager, a ginger cat named Jeffrey. The coffee drinks are also very good.
No. 5 Glacial exploration
There are two glacier adventures we recommend booking in Iceland: a kayaking excursion on the glacial lagoon and a glacier hiking expedition. Navigate around icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and meet some curious seal pups, who, according to our guide, are all named Gustav. While we saw some people struggle to maneuver in crampons with ice picks and traverse atop the glacier Vatnajökull, if you’re able, I still recommend it…and sipping straight out of the rivulets (created from the immense pressure from the ice) is about the purest water you’ll ever taste. Unfortunately, the glacier is disappearing. In the last 30 years, Vatnajökull has shrunk by at least 150 square miles due to climate change. Before you go, make sure to get a group photo at Diamond Beach, a black sand beach that earns its name from the sparkling chunks of glacial ice that wash up on shore.
No. 6 Eastfjords
Our final stop is the town of Seyðisfjörður in Eastern Iceland, perhaps most famous for its church, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja. The cobblestone path to the church at the center of town is painted in rainbow colors, and the town alone is worth a visit for its understated charm, abundance of murals and scenic beauty. While in the Eastfjords, end your trip at the unparalleled Vök Baths—remote geothermal pools that border the lake Urriðavatn. Locals will cheer you on as you take the polar plunge by jumping into the chilly lake after a soak in the hot pools.
Aurora Borealis over Hvolsvöllur, Iceland. Photo by Michael Porter.
Northern Lights
The optimal season for viewing the Aurora Borealis in Iceland is September to April, with the Winter Solstice—the coldest and darkest time of year—at its peak. For the best chance to see the Northern Lights, stay outside of more populated areas. For instance, renting a cabin in Hrífunes Nature Park, outside of Vík, is perfect for viewing the Auroras and stargazing. During our visit in late September, we went our entire road trip without a whiff of the Auroras until our final night there. They emerged after midnight above our vacation rental near the village of Hvolsvöllur, about an hour-and-a-half drive from Reykjavík. For the Aurora forecast, visit auroraforecast.is.
What to Eat
Street food and fresh, pre-made convenience store fare in Iceland are a step above what one might expect in the U.S. We became hooked on an Icelandic soda made with fish collagen, Collab(collabiceland.is). The elderflower-lime flavor with caffeine is a personal favorite. Hot dogs are kind of a thing, and many villages will have a hot dog truck or two. Fish soup and lamb stew are both staples, and soup is a satisfying way to warm up and fill your belly after a day outdoors in the wind and rain. Our favorite lunch spot we happened upon by chance at a combination cafe/art gallery in Hvolsvöllur called Eldstó Art Cafe/Restaurant (eldsto.is).
On Thursday, Musicians of the Utah Symphony shared a letter from composer John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park), supporting the preservation of Abravanel Hall.
The planned Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) downtown development of a Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention (SECC) District has made the future uncertain for the famed symphony hall, which is also the home to the Utah Symphony. Neither Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake City officials nor SEG have given definitive answers as to what their current development plan will mean for the hall.
While the fate of Abravanel Hall hangs in the balance, an unofficial coalition, including the Musicians of the Utah Symphony, continues to coalesce to urge Salt Lake County to preserve the hall in its current location.
The newest member of their ranks is John Williams, the widely celebrated composer of such film scores as Star Wars and JAWS. In his letter, Williams recounts his experiences conducting at Abravanel Hall and celebrates the Utah Symphony as one of the finest orchestras in the United States.
“Abravanel Hall, with its elegant design and splendid acoustics, is a crown jewel in the cultural life of Salt Lake City,” writes Williams. “It is an iconic landmark of which all your fellow citizens can and should be justly proud. It must be preserved for future generations to enjoy.”
His letter reminds Salt Lake City of Abravanel Hall’s cultural and historical significance. Williams recorded “Call of the Champions” there, the musical theme for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, with the Utah Symphony and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Members of the Utah Symphony responded with their admiration for Williams and gratitude for his support. Utah Symphony Concertmaster, Madeline Adkins, says, “The iconic American composer and conductor John Williams has had the opportunity to perform in all of the world’s top concert halls. It is an honor for Utah that he considers our magnificent Abravanel Hall to be among the finest—Maestro Williams has a true generosity of spirit, and we are so grateful for his support as we endeavor to preserve this beautiful space for future generations to enjoy.”
The preservation of Abravanel Hall has already garnered the support of the Utah American Institute of Architects, who stated emphatically, “Abravanel Hall is not a disposable building. It is not replaceable. And it is beloved.”
The members of Salt Lake City’s Planning Commission also agreed, recommending to the City Council and the Mayor that Abravanel Hall be preserved in its current location.
A petition bearing tens of thousands of signatures is also online, calling for Abravanel Hall to be saved.
For their part, the Musicians of Utah Symphony and the coalition of supporters of preserving Abravanel Hall are asking members of the public to contact their Salt Lake County Council and City Council representatives and urge them to save the hall.
John Williams’ full letter in support of preserving Abravanel Hall:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, I knew Maurice Abravanel, whom I admired greatly both as a person and as an artist, and I’ve been privileged on many occasions to conduct in his namesake concert hall in Salt Lake City, where I recorded my musical theme for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games with the Utah Symphony and your magnificent Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and where I conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra on several visits to your great city. Abravanel Hall, with its elegant design and splendid acoustics, is a crown jewel in the cultural life of Salt Lake City. It is the home of the Utah Symphony, unquestionably one of our country’s finest orchestras. And it is an iconic landmark of which all your fellow citizens can and should be justly proud. It must be preserved for future generations to enjoy. In our fast-moving technological age, great music performed by world-class orchestras before live audiences is a vital thread that binds us to our cultural past and to our collective future. This simply wouldn’t be possible without temples of music like Abravanel Hall. I urge you to preserve and protect this artistic treasure.
