Community

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 Memorial day tributes to farmer’s markets and garden parties. And don’t forget, June 1st marks the beginning of Pride month here in Salt Lake City. Celebrate with the annual Pride Rally and Festival, more on that below!  

For even more events this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar! 

Monday 05/27

What: Memorial Day Car Show + Tribute
Where: Veterans Memorial Park (1985 W 7800 S)
When: 05/27 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Celebrate veterans with a free ceremony and car show in West Jordan. The day of remembrance will also feature food trucks, a special guest speaker and community fun. 

What: Draper Memorial Day Ceremony 
Where: Draper City Park 
When: 05/27 at 3 p.m. 
Honor Americans in the military service with a free ceremony at the Gold Star Families Monument in Draper Park. The simple free service will begin with brief remarks followed by the playing of taps and a moment of silence. 

What: 2024 Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship and Festival
Where: Soldier Hollow Legacy Park, Midway
When: 05/27 at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m 
Enjoy the last day of this four-day dog-lovin’ festival. One of the foremost annual events of its kind in the world, the Sheepdog festival draws competitors from all over the world along with 13,000 spectators. Purchase tickets here. 

Tuesday 05/28

What: Big Band Tuesday 
Where: Gallivan Center 
When: 05/28 at 7 p.m. 
Big Band Tuesdays returns this summer at the Gallivan center. Bring your dancing shoes to participate in free ballroom dance lessons before music starts at 7:30 p.m. 

Wednesday 05/29

What: Park City Farmer’s Market Opening Day 
Where: First Time Lift Parking Lot
When: 05/29 at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Shop an assortment of fresh and organic produce at the annual Park City Farmer’s Market. 

What: A History of Drag in Utah
Where: Marmalade Branch, Salt Lake City Public Library
When: 05/29 at 6:30 p.m 
QSaltLake Magazine presents a free show that highlights the history of Drag in Utah, from a drag show that traveled to small Utah towns in 1928 to Brigham Young’s 17th son singing live opera in full drag at ward houses and for the last birthday celebration of LDS Church president Lorenzo Snow.

Thursday 05/30

What: Ready to Hatch: A Garden Party for a Cause 
Where: Tracy Aviary 
When: 05/30 at 6 p.m to 9 p.m. 
Tracy Aviary presents and adults-only garden party with artisan food and drink, live music, live action and close-up bird encounters. The event supports the Aviary’s Conservation Program, which uses research, outreach and conservation efforts to protect birds and their habitats. 

What: Leo Libations—Spring Sippin’
Where: The Leonardo
When: 05/30 at 6:30 p.m to 8 p.m. 
Guided by Wine Academy of Utah Sommelier Jim Santangelo, welcome the warm days of spring by pairing a lively selection of wines with a menu of strawberry and spinach salad, followed by pasta carbonara topped with fresh peas and pancetta, and finishing with delicious rhubarb sticky buns and clotted cream. Get your tickets here. 

Friday 05/31

What: 16th Ogden Music Festival
Where: Fort Buenaventura 
When: 05/31 to 06/02
Dig out the camping gear—it’s time for a musical staycation. The 16th annual Ogden Music Festival is back at Fort Buenaventura on May 31-June 2 with a stellar all-star lineup. The festival includes 27 musical acts over the three day event. It’s not all string bands (though there will be world-class bluegrass acts). @ofoam balances the lineup with other genres of the American roots canon like soul, blues, R&B, Afro-Mexican rhythms, folk, mariachi, funk, and disco. ⁠

Saturday 06/01

What: Drag Bingo with Matrons of Mayhem
Where: Bambara Restaurant inside Hotel Monaco
When: 06/01 at 12:30 p.m. 
A family-friendly drag event put together to support the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ people in Utah.

What: Farmer’s Market Ogden
Where: Historic 25th Street
When: 06/01 at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
The beloved 25th street farmer’s market is back for the 2024 summer season. The 17-week market is packed with local produce, artisan, grocery and prepared food vendors. Shoppers can also enjoy live performances and interactive activities as they peruse the historic lane. 

What: Pride March and Rally
Where: The Utah State Capitol
When: 06/02 at 10 a.m. 
In partnership with Equality Utah, this free community activation will feature live music, entertainment, speeches and more. After the rally, participants march down to Washington Square Park to kick off day one of the Utah Pride Festival. Find a map of the rally here. 

What: Utah Pride Festival 2024
Where: Washington Square Park
When: 06/01 at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
The annual Pride Festival begins June 1st with a full day of festivities including live drag performers, queer vendors, food trucks, activities and community engagement. Find the full festival lineup here. 

Sunday 06/02

What: 10th Annual Green Pig Pride Block Party 
Where: Green Pig
When: 06/02 at 11 a.m. 
Green Pig has partnered with nonprofit IncludED United to offer a day of festivities, drag performances, live DJs and more. 

What: Park Silly Sunday Market
Where: Main Street, Park City
When: 06/02 at 10 a.m. 
The 18th season of Park Silly Sunday Market kicks off on June 2nd with an array of local vendors, artisans, produce, craft stations, live music and interactive performances. 

What: Utah Pride Parade
Where: Downtown Salt Lake City 
When: 06/02 at 10 a.m. 
The biggest celebration of Pride happens in the streets of Salt Lake City. Experience the excitement and energy of our colorful city as parade participants march through the streets to promote visibility, acceptance and unity for all. 

---

Summer is a time for kids to follow their bliss, and Utah has no shortage of summer camps to help them do exactly that, whether it’s rocking out with a band or going on an outer-space mission. And even though spring has just sprung, it’s time to figure out what that bliss is going to be. Utah’s summer camps are registering campers now, and they fill up fast. Here are eight of our favorite 2024 summer camps accepting applications right now:

Solitude Summer Camps

For one week, children will have the opportunity to learn and play amidst the scenic mountains of Big Cottonwood Canyon. This day camp spans over a week, with activities scheduled from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm every day. During this time, kids can indulge in swimming, hiking, trampoline bungee jumping, climbing, chairlift rides, and arts and crafts. While parents are required to pack their child’s lunch, the campers will be provided with snacks. This camp is perfect for children who enjoy the outdoors and the picturesque landscapes of Utah.

• Dates: June-August, 2024
  Cost: $237-$3795
  Ages: 6-12
  Location: Solitude Mountain Resort Solitude Summer Camps

Wasatch Kids Camp

With multiple different types of camps to choose from Wasatch Kids Camp has it all! A field trip based program that allows kids to be out and about in the outdoors. With multiple different locations to pick up from this camp makes sure to make it easy and convenient for yours kids to have a blast. Find what camp suits your kid best: North Camp, South Camp, or Travel Camp!

• Dates: June-August, 2024
  Cost: Ranges from what type of camp you choose from $350-$800
  Ages: 6-16
  Location: Multiple locations to drop off, pick up, and explore based on your area of residence Wasatch Kids Camp

Luna Lobos Dog Sledding Summer Camp

If you’ve seen White Fang, you know dog sledding isn’t quite the same as taking a tube down a hill at Sugar House Park, but kids can learn the basics of the sport while bonding with adorable canines at Luna Lobos Dog Sledding Camp. Campers also learn archery and basic outdoor survival skills (they might need them while racing in the Iditarod one day).

• Dates: June 12–July 29, 2024
  Cost: $285 (full week), $90 (single day)
  Location: Rancho Luna Lobos, Peoa
  Luna Lobos Camp

YMCA Camp Roger

This is what you think when you think “camp” — archery, horseback riding, etc. Camp Roger started as a place for boys to swim and build campfires. It became co-ed in the ‘60s, and in the 2000s, buildings were renovated for a new generation. Camp themes range from Wacky Scientist to Wild Wild West. Camp Rogers also offers Little Rogers (one night and two days) for first-timers, horsemanship camps and leadership camps.

• Dates: June–August, 2024
  Cost: Traditional Camp for ages 8-14 is $715, Mini Camp for ages 7-9 is $440, Little Rogers for ages 5-7 is $215
  Location: Uinta Mountains
  YMCA Camp Roger

Youth Education at U of U

Enroll your children in an engaging summer camp that enhances their educational skills and prepares them for college and beyond. This camp offers various specialized programs to match your child’s interests, including Science, Arts, Math, Engineering, and Sports. Moreover, they provide opportunities to earn extra high school credits, prepare for the ACT, and explore potential career paths and majors. Registration for the summer program is currently open. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

• Dates: June-August, 2024
  Cost: About $200 depending on what camp
  Location: University of Utah Continue Education

Game On! Sports 4 Girls

Are you on the hunt for an exceptional summer experience for your daughter? Search no more! Game On! Sports 4 Girls presents an extensive seven-week summer day camp that covers the fundamentals of multiple sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, mountain biking, and many more. Each day, your daughter will leave feeling invigorated, empowered and strengthened physically, mentally, and as part of a team. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to elevate your daughter’s athleticism and overall growth

• Dates: Heber City: June 3-7, June 10-14. Park City: June 17-21, July 8-12, July 15-19, July 29-August 2. Kaysville: June 3-7, June 10-14 Age: 4-14
  Cost: Vary from $50-$300 depending on what type of camp
  Location: Heber City at Southfield Park and Park City at Willow Creek Park, Kaysville at Barnes Park.

Bouldering Project Summer Training Camp

Attention older kids! Here’s an exclusive summer training camp for competitive youths, designed to take your climbing skills to the next level. This camp caters to all levels of climbers, working towards the common goal of enhancing your climbing abilities.

• Dates: Youth Training Camps: 7/19-7/21, 8/5-8/7. Youth Summer Adventure Camps: Various dates in June, 2024
  Cost: $350-399 depending on program
  Location: Boulder Project, 660 S 400 W Suite 600, Salt Lake City, UT Bouldering Project

Code Ninjas Camp

This summer camp program is perfect for kids who are into all types of technology and STEM. It will turn your kids’ obsession with technology into fun activities that will prepare them for future professions but also allow them to make friends and have fun in a healthy environment. Their summer camps include Minecraft, Youtube, Coding, 3D Printing, Animation, Legos, Robotics, and more!

• Dates: June–July, 2024
  Cost: $250 –$300
  Location: 1957 E. Murray Holladay Road, Holladay UT Coding Ninjas

---

Spring has sprung and we have compiled a list of local events happening this week for you to enjoy. From farmer’s markets to cultural celebrations and musicals, the city is as lively as ever. For even more events this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar! 

Monday 05/20 

What: Yoga in the Mountains
Where: Alta Peruvian Lodge Back Lawn
When: 05/20 at 5:30 p.m 
Connect with your inner peace surrounded by Alta’s serene mountain landscape during one hour of free yoga. In partnership with Alta Community, yoga is hosted every Monday on the Our Lady of the Snows lawn. Bring your own mat and arrive early to secure a space. 

What: Legally Blonde the Musical
Where: Draper Theatre
When: 05/20
The Draper Historic Theatre presents Legally Blonde the Musical, a fabulous award-winning show based on the cult classic film. The action-packed production is packed with memorable songs, dynamic dances and the fantastical journey of Elle Woods. Reserve your tickets here. 

Tuesday 05/21

What: Crafts & Carafes
Where: Second Summit Hard Cider Co. 
When: 05/21 at 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
The Millcreek cidery hosts weekly craft workshops every Tuesday featuring a new project every time. Visit their website for the latest workshop schedule. 

Wednesday 05/22

What: Harvey Milk Day
Where: Scion Cider
When: 05/22 at 7:30 p.m. 
Equality Utah has partnered with Scion Cider to host its 1st annual celebration of Harvey Milk Day. The event will offer entertainment, cheese and charcuterie from Beehive Charcuterie, and an opportunity to celebrate the life and work of Harvey Milk’s dedication to LGBTQ+ rights. 

What: Zoo Brew
Where: Hogle Zoo
When: 05/22 
Leave the kids at home and experience the zoo in an entirely new adults-only perspective. The zoo’s beloved event features sip and bites from local vendors, along with unique animal encounters and live music. The May 22nd installment is themed Wild For Utah! Get your tickets here. 

What: Orem’s Farmers Market and Food Fest
Where: 293 E Center St., Orem 
When: 05/22 at 5 p.m.
A gathering of 150 small businesses, local musicians and food trucks. Shop locally grown vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, meat, flowers, baked goods, handcrafted goods and art. 

Thursday 05/23

What: Masima: Pacific Island Film Tour 2024
Where: Broadway Centre Cinemas
When: Times Vary Between 5/17-5/23
A film series curated and presented by Salt Lake Film Society, Utah Pacific Islands Knowledge 2 Action Resource and Utah Pacific Island Film Series. The week-long event features dozens of films, short films, panel discussions and more. Find the full schedule on their website. 

What: Market Street’s Chef Table Summer Dinner Series
Where: Market Street Grill—Cottonwood
When: 05/23 at 6:30 p.m.
Market Street presents an exclusive culinary event featuring curated seasonal menus celebrating the flavors of summer. Chef Tyson Bohling has created a delectable four-course menu highlighting farm-fresh produce, succulent seafood and more. Drink pairing is optional. Reserve your table on their website. 

Friday 05/24

What: Scandinavian Festival 2024
Where: Various venues in Ephraim
When: 05/54-05/25
The biggest Scandinavian gathering in the Mountain West returns Memorial weekend. The multi-venue event takes place across Ephraim, and features food and craft booths, heritage activities and more. Find more info on the event on their site. 

What: CRAFT at the Leonardo
Where: The Leonardo
When: 05/24 at 7 p.m 
The Leonardo hosts another artist-led craft night, this installment focuses on Roy Lichtenstein’ Crying Girl. Tickets to the paint-along include all supplies. Register for $30. 

What: Two Door Cinema Club
Where: The Union Event Center
When: 05/24 at 7 p.m. 
The Union hosts Northern Ireland’s Two Door Cinema Club along with opener Daywave. Find tickets at ticketmaster.com.

What: Busker Fest
Where: Block 70 surrounding the Eccles Theatre
When: 05/24-05/25 at 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
The annual Busker Fest returns to Salt Lake City to showcase local and traveling street performers. The free event invites onlookers to enjoy musicians, dancers, hula-hoopers, jugglers, comedians and more. The fest headquarters is located on Regent Street between 100 and 200 Sout, performers can be found in the surrounding areas. Find more information and the full festival map here. 

Saturday 05/25

What: Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Celebration
Where: Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum
When: 05/25 at 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 
The Gateway Children’s Museum is celebrating Asian  American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with martial arts lessons, lei making and performances by Halau Ku Pono. 

What: Moab Arts Festival 2024
Where: Swanny City Park in Moab
When: 05/25-05/26 at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
A free arts festival featuring vendor’s tents, live music, food and more.

---

Utah leads the nation in pickleball players. Has tennis met its match?

They represent all ages and fitness levels—from converted college tennis players to middle-aged empty nesters seeking the fountain of youth. All across the state of Utah, grandmas are giving frat brothers an on-court walloping, former couch potatoes are signing sponsorship deals and RVers are trading in destinations like Mount Rushmore and Myrtle Beach to chase pickleball tournaments in places St. George and Las Vegas. 

These are the “Picklers.” Reflecting a surge in the sport’s popularity, they dominate public courts and strut around like they’re Rafa Nadal. They have their sights set on massive competitive tournaments like the Southern Utah Shootout, the Turkey Brawl, the Sagebrush Spectacular or Dink The Halls.

Assuming you even knew what pickleball was 10 years ago, your court and equipment would have amounted to DIY chalk lines on a tennis court, a ping pong paddle and your nephew’s Little League wiffle ball. And you would have definitely ticked off tennis players. Not only were you stealing their turf, you would have defaced a tennis court with your stick of chalk. How gauche.

Now, though, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., up 160 percent since the beginning of the pandemic. Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon with superstars like Tom Brady, Drake and LeBron James cashing in on high-profile endorsements. And the picklers have their eyes fixed on tennis, specifically space-hogging, oft-empty public courts. Utah leads the nation in pickleball players, and they argue that cities across the state need convert tennis courts into pickleball play spaces. (Vive la révolution!)

It’s no surprise that many tennis players aren’t whipping out the welcome mat. Purists consider pickleball to be a game, not a sport and deride it as  “lazy man’s tennis.” They assert it requires far less skill and, mainly, that it makes too much noise. In rare instances, their rage explodes as it did in Santa Rosa, Calif. 

A tennis player poured motor oil on pickleball courts and called other tennis players “chickens” who weren’t doing enough to pickleball’s encroachment.   

Pickleballers snap back with revolutionary zeal, paddles raised like pitchforks, calling tennis players elitist snobs who take up too much room for a sport that costs too much to master. Can they coexist? 

Click on the players to below to see where they lie on the Tennis vs. Pickleball debate

Pickleball Open Play Etiquette

Most venues have an open play policy intended for crowd control. This player rotation system has many benefits, including the ability to show up on your own and meet new people—if that’s your jam. Before hitting the courts you should know:

1. Rules are posted at every public court
2. No singles play if more than one person is waiting
3. Five minutes to warm up
4. The first team to score 11 points wins the game
5. In most cases, all four players are required to rotate off the court at the game’s end
6. Paddles are then placed back into the rotation 
7. Players await their turn and play again

Pickleballers Take a Stand

Members of the mostly-Polynesian Die Hard Pickleballerz Club, who play on Salt Lake City’s west side, were among the voices calling for more pickleball courts closer to home. The city agreed to repurpose half the tennis courts for pickleball and four new ones at Glendale Park. Likewise, Park City residents are fighting for more public pickleball space. Access has become such a hot-button issue that last year, Park City Council candidate David Dobkin made pickleball a central issue of his platform. 

Where to Play Free Outdoor Pickleball in the Salt Lake Area

Where to Play Free Outdoor Pickleball in the St. George Area

---

It seems as though Utah’s finicky springtime storms may finally be in the rearview mirror—let the warm weather commence! To help our readers make the best of the season, we’ve curated a diverse list of events throughout the week. From classic car shows to cultural festivals, and pup-friendly parties to author showcases, there are pplenty of Salt Lake City events to attend this week. For even more events this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar! 

Monday 

What: Historic Homes of Holladay: A Kathy Murphy Invitational
Where: Holladay City Hall
When: 05/13 at 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m 
Named in honor of the late Kathy Murphy, who dedicated her time to supporting Holladay’s art history, the exhibit will feature the works of artists tasked with capturing the essence of Holladay’s historic homes. 

What: 9th Annual Story Crossroads Summit & Festival
Where: Murray City Park
When: 05/13-05/16
A hybrid-style summit featuring 15 story artists, 3 professors and 40 youth and adult story tellers. Through workshops, speakers and virtual lessons attendees will learn how to craft and perform their stories.

Wednesday

What: Psychic Fair
Where: Golden Braid Books
When: 05/15 at 6 p.m. 
Experience readings from Golden Braid’s three gifted physics. Afterward, shop the store’s unique collection of books, goods and more. 

What: Classic Car Show at Valley Fair
Where: Valley Fair Shopping Center
When: 05/15 at 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
Mingle with fellow car lovers at this free classic car show held every 3rd Wednesday of the month. The event takes place in the South parking lot between Springhill Suites and All-Star Bowling. 

Thursday

What: Moonlight Market
Where: Church & State
When: 05/16 at 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A first-of-its kind grassroots flea market in Salt Lake City that takes place every 3rd Thursday of the month. Come support over 20 local artists, enjoy live music, art installations and sips from Coffee Co. 

What: Ogden Twilight— Phoenix
Where: Ogden City Amphitheater
When: 05/16 at 5 p.m. 
The much anticipated 2024 Ogden Twilight festival kicks off on May 16th with Phoenix, special guest Metric and Beastie Vee. Tickets available here. 

Friday

What: Living Traditions Festival
Where: Washington and Liberty Square Park
When: 05/17, 05/18, 05/19
The Living Traditions Festival works to preserve the cultural traditions of the community, and brings together over 90 cultures who have made Salt Lake City their home. The three day event is free to attend and features food vendors, live performances and art vendors. 

What: Local Showcase 
Where: King’s English Bookshop
When: 05/17 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
A mini-street festival set up around King’s English’s quant bookshop on 15th and 15th. The free-to-attend event features a variety of interesting artists, makers and authors who are excited to engage with you about their passion. 

What: Comic Book Signings with the Nerd Store
Where: Urban Arts Gallery
When: 05/17 at 6 p.m to 9 p.m.
The Urban Arts Gallery teams up with The Nerd Store to host a comic book signing with Chris Bodily, Doug Wagner and Travis Romney.

Saturday

What: Always Queer Art Market
Where: Under the Umbrella Bookstore
When: 05/18 at 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
Under the Umbrella’s monthly art market features a rotating selection of queer makers and artists. This event is free to attend. 

What: Woodland Fairy Festival
Where: Gardner Village 
When: 05/18 at 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
Gardner Village has been transformed into an enchanting fairy wonderland complete with hidden fairy nooks, life-size fairy wings and a charming fairy forest. The festival runs through June 29th and features select events like tea parties and parades throughout the festival. Find the full schedule on their website. 

What: Bark at the Moon 2024
Where: The Gateway
When: 05/18 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
The Humane Society invites all Utah dog lovers to bring their pup and enjoy a night of fun at The Gateway. Enjoy live music, food trucks and local craft beer while fido plays around in the splash pad. End the night with a glow-in-the-dark walk at 9 p.m Tickets are $25. 

What: Jazz in the Park
Where: Sandy Amphitheater
When: 05/18 at 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Join Sandy Amphitheater in celebrating their 25th anniversary with a free day of jazz. The showcase features bands from top high school jazz bands, along with food trucks and venue concessions. 

What: 12th Annual SLUG Cat
Where: Saturday Cycles
When: 05/18 4 p.m. 
SLUG Magazine’s beloved bicycle race is back this year with a new alley cat-style twist. The race challenges riders (who can register for $10) to hunt for clues, solve riddles and play games as they race throughout the city. Registration begins at 4 p.m., race kicks off at 5 p.m. 

What: Farm Fest
Where: Wheeler Farm
When: 05/18 at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
Wheeler Farm’s free annual Farm Fest celebrates all things spring with wagon rides, sheep shearing, farming demonstrations and an art market. Bring the whole family to enjoy fun hands-on farming activities. 

Sunday

What: The Bazaar Summer Market
Where: Millcreek Common
When: 05/19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
A weekly flea market featuring a rotating lineup of local vendors selling vintage treasures, fashion, jewelry, art and eclectic handmade crafts of all kinds. After shopping to your heart’s content, stay for rollerblading or rock climbing at Millcreek Common. 

What: Wheeler Sunday Market
Where: Wheeler Farm
When: 05/19 at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m 
Celebrate the opening day of the Wheeler Sunday Market on May 19th with local food vendors, handmade goods and more. 

---

The 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Dining Awards Ceremony

Feb. 26, 2024
Woodbine’s Drift Lounge
Photos by Natalie Simpson and Adam Finkle

Salt Lake magazine held its 2024 Dining Awards at Woodbine Food Hall’s Drift Lounge in Salt Lake’s Granary District on Feb. 26, 2024. At the event, Utah restaurants and food service professionals were honored for their contributions to Utah’s culture and excellence in dining. This year’s Outstanding Restaurant winner was Urban Hill, named alongside 14 other excellent restaurants. Special awards went to Margo Provost at Log Haven (The #RandomPink Award), Francis Fecteau of Libations (Wine and Spirit Education), Angie and Drew Fuller at Oquirrh (The Golden Spoon for Hospitality) and Lavanya Mahate for her outstanding community service.

K. Rocke Design’s 20th Annivesary

Jan. 24, 2024
Glass House in Salt Lake City
Photos by K. Rocke Design

K. Rocke Design celebrated its 20th year in business at Glass House, the design team’s showroom. The event featured music food and dancing as well as a performance by mentalist Doug Roy and custom-designed KRD merchandise for guests.

WAREHOUSE Preview

Jan. 11, 2024
The WAREHOUSE in Park City
Photos by Venue Communications

WAREHOUSE, a new, premiere community-driven private car and social club, hosted an exclusive preview debuting their 27,000 square feet of world-class facilities. Guests were treated to Proverbial spirits cocktails while viewing club offerings and the rare, impressive car fleet. WAREHOUSE CEO and Co-Founder, Jake Wolf, presented his vision while discussing membership options for displaying vehicles and for those who would simply like to participate in the community. For more information, visit warehousemotorclub.com and on Instagram @warehousemotorclub   

Call For Photos

We welcome your photos of recent social events around Utah. Please send high-resolution photos (.jpg format) to magazine@saltlakemagazine.com with the subject line “Social” and a package of images and event/caption information in a file transfer service we can access. Submissions must be accompanied by names and a description of the event (who, what, when, where, why).

On Wednesday, the Utah Pride Center, including its new executive director, revealed what some of this year’s Utah Pride Week programming and festivities would entail. The theme for the 2024 Utah Pride Festival is “CommUNITY – Building Unity Within The Community.” Organizers say this will involve bringing all Pride organizations in the state to the festival grounds under “one rainbow.” The Utah Pride Festival and Parade is scheduled for June 1-2, 2024.

“Our goal is to bring everyone to the table to share their ideas, to better understand their needs, and most importantly, to learn how the Utah Pride Center can support their local efforts to spread Pride through all of Utah,” said Chad Call, Executive Director of the Utah Pride Center.

The Utah Pride Center faced scrutiny and an organizational shake-up follow the 2023 Pride celebrations. Local artists and small business owners, many members of the LGBTQ+ community, called attention to the inaccessibility of the pricing of the vendor booths at the 2023 festival, as others criticized the lack of inclusivity of programming. The Utah Pride Center also spent more money on the 2023 Pride than any other previous pride celebration, reportedly running the non-profit into debt. In a statement released September 2023, the center explained that the “Utah Pride Center (UPC) has been mis-aligned with our community-centric mission and lacking in focus and accountability,” which led to the apparent mismanagement of programming and the 2023 Pride Festival “not reflecting what our greater LGBTQIA+ community wanted or expected.” 

Following the debacle, the Utah Pride Center laid off staff, including “the Co-CEO responsible for 2023 Pride.” The shake-ups continued, however, as Call took the job of interim director after Executive Director Ryan Newcomb stepped down in March due to health concerns. Newcomb had taken that position just six months prior. As Utah Pride paused programming and pledged to work to regain trust, other pride organizations formed.  

SLC Pride emerged in late 2023, posting on Instagram that they were “excited to be planning the Pride Festival our community has been asking for.” At the time, the post mentioned the organization was not affiliated with Utah Pride or the Utah Pride Center. According to their website, that SLC Pride Festival event is scheduled for  June 27-30, 2024 at The Gateway. 

In their announcement Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Utah Pride Center stated, “As an organization with a mission to Unite, Empower and Celebrate our LGBGTQ+ Community, one of the best ways we can do that is by uniting our local pride celebrations.” As far as who that will involve and what that will look like, the statement continues, “Inside the Utah Pride Festival located in Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City, local Pride organizations from around the state are invited to have a table in Rainbow Alley, a centralized location to make introductions, collaborate, network, recruit and share their stories with the tens of thousands of festival attendees.” said Call, “Our goal is to bring everyone to the table to share their ideas, to better understand their needs, and most importantly, to learn how the Utah Pride Center can support their local efforts to spread Pride through all of Utah.” 

Utah Pride Festival 2024

As far as this year’s festival is concerned, the 2024 Pride Festival kicks off on Saturday, June 1 with a rally at 10:00 a.m. on the steps of the Utah State Capitol, co-hosted with Equality Utah. The rally is followed by a march down State Street toward Washington Square where the Pride Festival will take place. Festival gates open at 11 a.m. on Saturday and include two full days of vendor booths, food and beverage vendors and activities for the whole family.

This year, the festival entertainment is said to be local Utah talent, with two stages on either side of the festival, showcasing singers, dancers and queer artists from all over the state. A third stage will house the return of Utah Pride Karaoke. The Utah Pride Center will release the full list of performers at a later date.

When: Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m – 10 p.m.; Sunday, June 2, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Washington Square Park, 450 S. 300 East, SLC

Utah Pride Parade 2024

The annual Pride Parade is on Sunday, June 2, starting at 100 South and West Temple and ends at 700 South and 200 East. This free event begins at 10AM, and festival gates open afterwards at 12PM Noon. It is the same route as Pride 2023. Organizers expect 16,000 participants and over 100,000 spectators.

When: Sunday, June 2, 10 a.m.
Where: Downtown Salt Lake City

Utah Pride Interfaith Worship Service

This year’s theme is “Queering Faith.” The Pride Interfaith Worship Service has kicked off the Pride Festival for more than two decades. It is a time of celebration, reflection, prayer, memorial, music and love as the many faith traditions that are expressly welcoming to and fully inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community come together to “queer faith” in the hope that our arms might open wider still. 

When:  Thursday, May 30, 7 p.m.
Where:  Congregation Kol Ami, 2425 Heritage Way, SLC

Utah Pride Festival Admission

Tickets for the Pride Festival are on sale. Get an early bird discount now through May 15 when you purchase tickets online. To buy tickets, visit: utahpride.org/tix

Early Bird Pricing (now through May 15): One Day Child – $5; One Day Adult -$15
Regular Pricing (May 16 – June 2): One Day Child – $5; One Day Adult – $20

ASL interpreters will be at every event with accessible seating and sections where visitors can see the interpreters. ADA ramps will also be installed at all entrances and multiple locations inside festival grounds to ensure accessibility. UPC has also partnered with the Salt Lake City Public Library to provide a calming space for folx who may need it.

---

April showers not only bring May flowers but also a new exhibit at Utah’s Hogle Zoo! The 22 million dollar expansion, suitably named Wild Utah, features some of our state’s most elusive wildlife.  President and CEO at Hogle Zoo, Doug Lund said, “The Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit is unlike any other zoo experience. From cougars, desert bighorn sheep, burros, western toads and yellow-bellied marmots, you’ll see Utah’s vast and varied wildlife up close.”

This new expansion may be the biggest news to come out of Hogle Zoo since the zoo announced last May that its longtime elephant residents, Christie and Zuri, would head to new homes in hopes of finding a better quality of life. 

The new development spans three acres located on the east side of Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Lund said, “The exhibit opens a new area to enjoy the zoo and new spaces to create champions for wildlife.” The expansion has been carefully designed to include many unique features, including, “animal experiences, hands-on conservation opportunities, and behind-the-scenes access to animal care. [At the exhibit] guests can engage with Utah wildlife like never before,” he said. 

One of the most engaging of these experiences is the Makers Space. This interactive area allows guests to participate in hands-on projects. These include building bird houses, assembling hummingbird feeders, creating seed pods and planting pollinators, all of which can be taken home afterwards by the participants. 

Another interesting section of the exhibit is the Nature Play Area & Interpretive Campsite. Here guests learn how to enjoy Utah’s wildlife and outdoor space responsibly. This education initiative is designed to promote a refreshed attitude towards nature and motivate environmentally friendly behavioral changes. What’s more, the expansion is helping to reduce Salt Lake City’s environmental pollution by using clean, renewable power. 

The expansion also includes the Overlook Terrace, which provides a panoramic view of the Wild Utah area, particularly of the bighorn sheep and cougar exhibits. 

For the focal point of the expansion, the zoo erected The Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center. Said Lund, “This is where the ambassador animals will reside. These ambassador animals are part of our informal science education enhancement (iSEE) outreach program that teaches second-grade classrooms across the state about Utah habitats, sparking their curiosity and sense of wonder.” Additionally, the center features an interactive kitchen where visitors can learn about the diverse diets that different zoo animals digest and see demonstrations on how zoo meals are prepared.

As added enjoyment (and education), the animal center is also home for the Boreal Toad conservation project—an initiative that houses boreal toads and their eggs. (Due to habitat changes and a fungal disease referred to as “chytrid,” Utah’s boreal toads are in rapid decline and this project aims to reintroduce the endangered species to an environment similar to their original habitat.)

Not only can visitors be fascinated by the array of wildlife within the exhibit, but the beauty of the display, further enhanced by the use of the state’s local flora and topography. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the mural of monarch butterflies on the backside of Markers Space and a second mural of Utah’s pollinators—bees, flowers, etc.—on the east side of The Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center. 

Although the opening date for the exhibit has not yet been announced, it is expected to be sometime in mid May.

Of course, when visiting Utah’s Hogle Zoo, visitors should not miss out on the other exhibits that are found within the vast menagerie. These include African Savanna, Great Apes, Asian Highland, Rocky Shores, Small Animals, Primate Forest and Rhino Exhibit. 

The zoo is open daily from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM. Visitors can purchase tickets at the gate, but there is a savings of $2.00 if purchased online at their website. Locals can also choose to become annual members which not only provides access to exclusive events and benefits but helps to support the care and wellbeing of over 600 species of animals.

---

For this issue, we looked at the state of travel on the Wasatch Front—without a car. Our story “Alternate Routes” examines the ways pedestrians, bikers, scooters, skaters and anyone not in a car (somersaults maybe?) navigate the Wasatch Front. Over the last decade, there has been a huge infrastructural push to change the prevailing wisdom that roads and cars are the only way to fly. Around Utah, in cities from St. George to Logan, elected officials, regional planning agencies and grassroots groups of transit nerds have been putting action to the idea that transportation means more than just cars. This is more than just painting some lines on the road and calling it a bike lane and passing out orange flags at crosswalks. It’s a shift in thinking. We like to move for fitness, for cleaner air, and, honestly, for fun. Our cars get us there, sure. But do we enjoy the ride? Our story will help you discover the fun of stabling that car in the barn and moving through the city in new ways. 

“People often think about what they lose if they stop driving,” says Sweet Streets Director Ben Wood. “And what you’ll find when you make the switch, is you gain much more than you lose in just terms of community, connection and a sense of place and a sense of home in the city you live in.” 

And, while we’re on the subject of doing new things in spaces formerly reserved for something else, let’s talk about Pickleball. You may have heard about this thing. Or you may have just heard it—a new kind of sound in the park—dink, dink. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the nation, and Utah is the no. 1 state in the union for pickleball. (And you thought it was Florida?) Shh. Don’t mention that to the tennis players you know. Many tennis players deride pickleball as a mere game—akin to croquet or tossing a frisbee around. But love it or hate it, pickleball is here to stay. Across the state (and especially in St. George),  parks and recreation departments have been reconfiguring dormant public courts in parks for the picklers, as they call themselves. Our writer, Heather Hayes is a former tennis player newly converted to pickleball. She wades into the debate in her story “What’s All the Racket”. She discovers a range of views from tennis purists to pickler upstarts. Somewhere in the middle lies the truth, she found. 

As things heat up in Utah, we know this issue will help you discover more ways to enjoy the warmer days. From after-work hikes (“Shake Off the Day”) to breakfast on a patio (“The Rise of the Breakfast-only Joint”), we’ve got you covered.

Bring on summer!

Executive Editor Jeremy Pugh

Photo by Natalie Simpson @beehivephotovideo

---

Read more stories like this and all of our Community coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.