When your kids start pestering you about being bored this summer, just tell them to take a hike. Then pack some Kind bars, water bottles and bug spray, and get everyone in the CR-V for a little trip. Once you reach the trailhead, your dad joke will finally click. With longer days and sunnier weather, now is a great time to start hitting local hiking trails with the family. Here are some of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Wasatch this summer.
Ensign Peak
The Trail: While a bit of a climb for kids just starting out, it’s a short trail — 0.8 miles — and offers plenty of opportunity to rest and look out toward the city below along the way. You’ll see a mixed crowd on your way up (teens hanging out before the prom, moms pushing off-road strollers, marathon trainers, hipsters with their dogs) and historical markers explaining the trail’s historical significance, particularly for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You can see the pillar at the peak from miles away. Once there, you’ll have one of the best views of the Salt Lake Valley. Getting There: Head north on State Street in Salt Lake City, turn right onto 300 North, turn left on Edgecombe Drive, look for the trailhead on your left and park across the street. Take Note: It’s a short hike, but you’ll want to hang at the top for a while. Bring snacks.
Farmington Creek
The Trail: You can make this a long hike, leading to nearby foothills, or shorten it for a fun, relatively flat, stroll with the family. For the latter, you have several options for your starting point. Personally, we like to eat lunch at the gazebo in Ezra T. Clark Park before taking the park’s short, shaded creek-side path and crossing the street to the trail that runs past Lagoon’s campgrounds. Stay on that path, and you’ll eventually see signs dubbing it “Lagoon Trail.” Don’t worry; you’re in the right place. You’ll hear screams from Colossus and pass Lagoon’s zoo (yeah, we know). You’ll also see horses on private properties. Once the “Lagoon Trail” ends, make a left on 200 West and notice where the Farmington Creek Trail continues across the street. This quaint, shaded path crosses the street again at 600 North, and eventually leads to the duck-filled Farmington Pond. Getting There: Set your GPS for Ezra T. Clark Park on 400 West (just north of State Street and across from Lagoon) in Farmington. Take Note: Catfish are biting in Farmington Pond.
Grotto Falls
The Trail: It’s a pretty sweet payoff for only a .6-mile out-and-back, the trail is easy on smaller legs, and it’s located along the Nebo Loop Scenic Drive, best known for its fall colors, but still stunning in summer. The trail ends with a show-stopping 20-foot waterfall and an open-ceiling cave that are perfect for Instagram. Dogs allowed. Getting There: From Salt Lake, take I-15 South to exit 250, turn left onto Main Street, turn left onto 100 North, turn right onto 600 East, follow the road to Payson Canyon and the Nebo Scenic Loop. You’ll see the trailhead about seven miles up the loop on your left. Take Note: Nebo Loop closes in the winter and usually opens to traffic on Memorial Day, depending on weather conditions. The trail can get muddy, prep accordingly.
Cecret Lake. Image credit Austen Diamond, Visit Salt Lake
Albion Basin/Cecret Lake
The Trail: You know this one, right? While the trail to Cecret Lake isn’t so secret, there’s a reason it’s such a popular summer hiking spot. Albion Basin, where you’ll start your hike, is famous for its stunning array of wildflowers (mid-August is your best bet). On the short trail to the lake (1.7 miles), you’ll likely see moose. At the lake itself, take your time to travel the perimeter and have your camera ready — it doesn’t have a bad side. Getting There: Alta will limit car access to Albion Basin this summer. We recommend taking Little Cottonwood Canyon Road to the Wildcat Base Area in Alta and parking there. Then walk to Albion Basin or hop on one of the shuttles. Get the details here. Take Note: Unlike the rest of the hikes we mentioned, no dogs allowed.
Suicide Rock/Parley’s Historic Nature Park
The Trail: It’s an easy trail with fun payoffs, filled with dogs. Stay left as you head into the canyon, and you’ll come to a shared biking/hiking trail with historical markers, including one for a wine cellar dating back to 1870. Keep heading east, and you’ll reach one of the major spots dogs go to splash. (Bring yours if it plays nice with others.) Once there, look left for Parley’s Trail, which goes over I-215 and connects to a trail offering an overhead look at the heavily spray-painted, yet oddly majestic, Suicide Rock, which clearly states “Sigma Chi rules!” Watch for bikes. Getting There: Park across the street or at Tanner Park, 2760 S. 2700 East, Salt Lake City, and walk up the hill for a minute or two. You’ll see the trailhead on your left. Take Note: Watch out for poop! Luckily, most dog owners are responsible… most.
Wild Rose
The Trail: This trail starts at a park, complete with slides and monkey bars, but don’t let your kids wear themselves out just yet. Toward the back of the park, you’ll see the trailhead that leads to a 2 ½-mile loop that offers a subtle climb and lookout point with a bench to chill out at the end, offering a stunning picture of the valley below. The trail includes maps along the way and much-needed shade during hotter months. Dogs welcome. Getting There: Set your GPS for Wild Rose Trailhead Park, North Salt Lake. The trailhead is on the east side of the park. Don’t be surprised if there’s a wedding taking place. Take Note: While we haven’t seen an actual wild rose here, summer wildflowers are on point.
The cheers of a crowd reach a fever pitch as a flamboyant group of contestants step onto a stage. All smiles and pomp, the team makes an offering to the feral spectators in the form of a choreographed routine. The pre-show display comes to a close as a single brave team member dons a helmet and climbs into an extravagantly adorned soapbox car. With one final show of camaraderie, the team shoves the engineless contraption down a steep obstacle-laden course and prays to the powers-that-be that no injury befalls the driver. Wielding a combination of skill and dumb luck, it’s up to the pilot to navigate jumps, hay bales and general hazards of the road. In an ideal world, they’ll meet the finish line with all four wheels and legendary status. But just as many attempts end in epic crashes and brutal face plants—not without their own brand of glory, of course. This is the scene Salt Lakers will soon experience as the Red Bull Soapbox Race makes its very first appearance in Utah on Saturday, June 14 2025.
About the Race
The event, which first took place in Belgium 25 years ago, makes a visit to major cities each year. Salt Lake is one of only three soapbox races hosted by Red Bull in 2025, and the local adrenaline junkies, engineers and showmen responded in droves to participate. Over 400 applicants—the most of any U.S. Red Bull Soapbox event so far—submitted mock-up car designs, team narratives and general dream-big motivations. 40 teams from Utah and across the country were selected for a chance to conquer the soapbox course, which will take place at the top of Main Street near the State Capitol. In a nod to the Beehive state, track obstacles for this race include The BFGoodrich Rock Garden: a bumpy obstacle course fashioned after Moab’s iconic red rock. More challenges drivers will face are The Sticky Steps, the Smith’s Speedometer and the piece de resistance—a massive jump near the finish line appropriately named The Ski Jump.
Participants have eight weeks to create handmade soapbox cars with plenty of flair. Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool.
Part extravagance and part skill, contestants are also judged on showmanship and creativity. Their handmade motorless vehicles must have steering and braking capabilities, but teams are encouraged to push their cart design to outrageous levels. This year’s cart lineup includes a rainbow snail, a delicate arch, Grandma Sickamore’s white bread, and of course, a technicolor whale. Team members will match their thematic carts with costumes and a 30-second pre-show routine, both of which factor into their overall score.
Meet the Teams
Exactly who you might ask is brave enough to test their mettle, melodrama and engineering aptitude at such an event? I sat down with Utah-based team Dad’s Rat Finks to see how they plan on sweeping the race this Saturday.
Jon Farrington (sumo suit) and his team win first place at the 2024 Red Bull Flugtag event in Tampa.
“We definitely have a triple threat of expertise to bring to this year’s Soapbox event.” Jon Farrington is competing with his family, which includes professional float builder, alumni soap box competitor, and most importantly, his dad—Mike Farrington. Mike raced in local soapbox events throughout his childhood, races that were judged on speed and agility rather than flair. Combined with his award-winning float builds, Mike has applied all his specialized expertise to design a light weight Rat Fink-inspired cart with plenty of panache.
Mike Farrington competed in soapbox races in his youth. Photo courtesy of Jon Farrington.
The family is also well-versed in Red Bull-branded events, as Jon is just coming off a win at a recent Flugtag competition in Tampa—in which participants attempt to fly home-made, human-powered flying machines across bodies of water. “I definitely think I’ve learned some tricks from Flugtag that I’ll be able to apply to Soapbox,” Jon says with a knowing smirk. Though his Flugtag team comprised NASA employees, he’s more excited to compete at Soapbox with his family this weekend. The all-hands endeavor also includes pilot Patrick Farrington, co-driver Ryan Farrington, Pusher Candice Jones and professional choreographer Kaylene Farrington—the latter of which Jon’s believes brings extra star quality to the team. “One thing I’ve learned from Red Bull events is that showmanship gets the most points,” he says.
Dad’s Rat Finks will be donning 3D printed Rat Fink masks. Photo courtesy of Jon Farrington. Rat Fink is the creation of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth.
Dad’s Rat Finks are looking forward to honoring their family’s patriarch with another shot at soapbox history. When asked about their racing goals, three separate answers sum up their approach to the race perfectly. The ever humble champion, Jon is content with bringing home “the memories, to be able to compete with our entire family is something I’ll never forget. It’s been so fun to work together with our partners and even our kids are so excited about it.” Alumni soapbox competitor Mike Farrington has a more pragmatic goal: “I’d like to have a good track time getting down.” And for driver Patrick, it’s more about walking off the track in one piece, “I hope my helmet stays in place…Maybe I’ll add some motorcross gear to go the full measure.”
Salt Lakers can see Dad’s Rat Finks for themselves this Saturday, June 18 at the Capitol Grounds! The Farringtons will take their shot at the course in the middle of the event, with more participant highlights including Dave Kindig and Kevin Scheiel from the hit show Bitchin’ Rides, Red Bull Airforce and World Champion Skydiver Mike Brewer, and Secret Live of Mormon Wives castmember Mayci J. Neeley. The event is free to attend, but event organizers are expecting thousands of spectators, so plan travel accordingly.
What: Red Bull Soapbox Race Where: Utah State Capitol | Main Street When: Gates open at 10 a.m., races begin at 12 p.m.
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Celebrate Independence Day weekend at the Monster Jam World Finals XXIV at Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 4 and 5, as well as qualifying competitions on July 3.
Each event starts with a pit party, where fans can see the trucks up close and meet drivers, including Kayla Blood, who drives Sparkle Smash, a truck she calls the “six-ton unicorn with the bold attitude.”
Blood, who served in the Louisiana National Guard, has been driving for Monster Jam since 2016.
She said she was scouted by Monster Jam while competing in ATV racing. After appearing on an ATV at a Monster Jam competition in New Orleans, she was asked to test for a spot as a monster truck driver.
Kayla Blood, driver of Sparkle Smash. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment.
“I never even thought that was a possibility,” she said. “I still pinch myself sometimes.”
Her trucks over the years have also included El Toro Loco and Soldier Fortune. She said Sparkle Smash, a truck that resembles a charging unicorn, blows confetti and has an inflatable tail and ears, has been a hit with young female fans.
“It has brought in so many girls who have never been interested in Monster Jam,” Blood said. “I ask them so much at the pit party, ‘Is this your first time coming.’ So many yesses.”
The World Finals will feature a total of 24 trucks.
The five drivers who earned the most points competing in different Monster Jam series over the past season received automatic bids to the World Finals. Most drivers, including Blood, were invited based on their competition wins and overall performances.
The qualifying event, available as an add-on for ticket buyers, will kick off with an awards ceremony on July 3. Competitions will then be held to determine how the racing bracket fills out, along with last-chance competitors for the World Finals.
The two days of World Finals, July 4 and 5, will include racing, a two-wheel skills competition, a high-jump competition and more.
While Blood enjoys competing, she says that it’s not all about winning. She loves meeting kids at the pit parties and seeing how being Sparkle Smash’s driver inspired young girls. “It’s about what you’re doing and what you’re showing and what you’re embodying,” she said.
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Let’s face it, planning for Father’s Day can be hard, and you may feel stuck doing the same thing year after year, but there’s no need to fear! Utah has plenty of dining specials and unique activities to help you celebrate your old man. Your guide to a refreshing Father’s Day Weekend is here!
Father’s Day Brunch and Dinner in Utah
Wasatch Front
Bambara
Toast to dad in style at Bambara’s Father’s Day Bourbon Brunch. The culinary team has partnered with High West to create a selection of bourbon-infused specials like bourbon pancakes—pair them three 1 oz pours of High West elixir for just $15! Served June 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., make your reservations here.
Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club
Treat your dad to a barbecue brunch at Flanker Kitchen where mimosas and Bloody Marys are $5. While you’re there, book a virtual golf suite for you and your old man, or test your bond with a karaoke session. Reservations can be made here. Menu availalbe June 15, 2025.
Take in the mountain views at Sundance’s Foundry Grill this Father’s Day. With items like herb-roasted prime rib, cedar-planked salmon, buttermilk waffles and a full-service omelet bar, this Dad’s day brunch is sure to please everyone in the family. Continue the fun with onsite activities like hiking, chair lift rides and zip lining. Brunch served June 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Urban Hill
The James Beard-awarded restaurant is bringing back its Father’s Day brunch buffet this year, with mouth-watering items like smoked salmon benedict, breakfast enchiladas, dill pickle potato salad, mini quiche and much, much more! Reservations recommended, make yours here! Served Sunday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $79 for adults, children 12 to 5 dine for $35.
A rooftop barbecue with dad—what more could you ask for? Van Ryder’s Father’s Day celebration includes BBQ lunch specials, western wear giveaways, a Traeger grill raffle and more. Sunday, June 15 from 11 am to 5 p.m.
Wasatch Back
Goldener Hirsch
Sip and celebrate dad with a whiskey experience at Goldener Hirsch Inn. In partnership with Bulleit Distillery, guests will learn about the distiller’s history while enjoying a guided tasting and a house-made charcuterie selection. Must be 21+ to book. Available Sunday June 15 at 4 p.m Find more information, here.
Treat Dad to dinner on Father’s Day with a $60 summer meal special featuring New York steak, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, creamed spinach, skin-mashed potatoes and more. Available all Father’s Day weekend through summer.
The Lodge at Blue Sky
Blue Sky is hosting an entire weekend of culinary experiences, outdoor adventures and family fun. Build your ideal weekend itinerary with activities like expert-led bird watching, an open-fire dining experience, a whiskey wellness spa day and family ranching at Gracie’s Farm. See the entire schedule, here. June 13–15, 2025.
Learn a new skill with your old man at Montage’s exclusive Father’s Day beverage class. The two-hour course will include an assortment of bites to pair with libations; finish it off with a unique whiskey massage at Spa Montage.
Park City favorite Tupelo is honoring dads with an evening of unlimited smoked Niman Ranch prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and heirloom carrots for just $75 on June 15, 2025.
Looking for something different? Try one of these Father’s Day activities in Utah!
Big Cottonwood Brew Fest—Throw back a few cold ones with your old man surrounded by the picturesque views at Solitude. Now two days, the free event also features live music and tasty food pairings. June 14–15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blues and Brews at Snowbasin—Relax on the lawn and soak up the good vibes at Snowbasin’s Blues and Brews event. The first Sunday in the running series, June 15 lineup includes Earl Nelson + The Company and Pressin’ Strings. June 15, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hogle Zoo—Fathers and father figures can enjoy free admission on June 14 and 15 for a day of fun at Hogle Zoo! Make sure to check out the zoo’s brand new exhibit, Wild Utah, and admire animal-themed chalk art during the Chalk the Zoo event!
Strawberry Days—This year’s Strawberry Daysfestival runs from the 14th all the way through the 22nd of June. Visit with your father figure for car shows, carnivals, rodeos, concerts and more.
TopGolf—Golfing is a Father’s Day favorite that offers a casual family friendly experience. TopGolf has offered Father’s Day promotions in the past, check their site for the most recent updates.
Axe-Throwing—For the unconventional dad, spice up the day with a Rage Room or Axe throwing! Prices vary by location.
Climbing—If your dad is the adventurous type, like mine, have fun bonding over indoor climbing lessons! Prices vary.
Karmen Berentsen sees people.And she’s on a mission to make sure that women see themselves, too. Her strategy? Fashion.
“It all began with my mom. She definitely modeled for me the power of fashion and that pride in getting dressed every single morning and saying, ‘What do I want to project to the world?’” Berentsen says. “I saw that model from her—and then I used it in building my first company.”
Fashion, Berentsen says, gave her the confidence to walk into executive offices of Fortune 50 companies at the age of 28 to pitch on her consulting boutique that many said wouldn’t go anywhere. They were wrong. In less than 10 years, Berentsen had become a 30-something multimillionaire selling her company and entering early retirement. Only, fashion was calling, and her entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t ready to rest. So she launched A Line Boutique.
The A Line Boutique on Foothill Boulevard employs personal stylists to help customers find their personal style. Photo by Adam Finkle.
A Line was born from Berentsen’s own disdain for shopping. She loves clothing, yes, but she doesn’t like shopping for herself. She wanted to bring the curated, pampered experience she discovered at European designer boutiques to her community in Colorado, where the first A Line opened.
Twelve years and six locations in three states later, Berentsen has grown A Line into a movement—a pathway to empowerment and connection for women through shopping, client adventures, and a podcast.
“It turned out that I wasn’t the only woman who didn’t like to shop,” she says.
Berentsen relocated to Salt Lake City in 2023, opening A Line Boutique at its Foothill location in the summer of 2024. The boutique offers mid to high-range clothing designs, accessories, and jewelry for women.
It also features a team of expert stylists ready to serve each customer a drink and a dressing room lined with items curated just for them. It’s an experience that can transform even the most apprehensive of shoppers as long as they are willing to try on the clothes and begin the journey to unleash their inner confidence.
“I love pausing and taking a moment to see the person and what they need. I have to keep helping women feel seen,” Berentsen says. “At A Line, you get to be taken care of.”
When Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen paid Salt Lake City’s Red Butte Garden a visit on Sunday (June 8, 2025), part of Bingham’s 17-date All Night Long Tour, his wide-eyed fans did everyone on stage a solid by selling the night out. They also wore a lot of cowboy hats and/or boots because, well, both tend to match a country music show nicely.
It’s safe to assume that many of the assembled audience had first discovered Ryan Bingham from the popular Kevin Costner vehicle Yellowstone (AKA Cowboy Falcon Crest). Bingham, who is also an actor, played Walker, a hang-dog ranchhand and itinerant barroom troubadour, who became one of the series’ most popular secondary characters.
Opting to play two complete sets of music instead of bothering with an opener, fans got even more than what they bargained for, and that’s always a good-to-great thing. Bingham casually made his way through older favorites (“Jingle and Go,” “Bluebird,” “The Weary Kind”) as well as songs so new they’ve yet to be recorded (and his “Americana” deserves to be played on the radio already). Looking a little like Matthew McConaughey’s kid brother and owning up to a similarly easy Texas grin, Bingham and the rest of his players were in great spirits, which had a ripple effect on all attending.
Is it OK to end a review with a request? (It’s got to be because I’m about to do it.) The locals deserve a whole night of music from The Texas Gentlemen whenever their next time rolls around. They’re a more than capable backing band—not unlike the Heartbreakers sans their late Tom Petty superstar—and pointing a spotlight in their direction would more than prove that. And whatever tour manager takes me up on that suggestion will find that out for themselves. Music gods, make it so.
The 17th Annual Ogden Music Festival is the closest we’ll come to Woodstock on the Wasatch. Blue skies and great vibes greeted the festivarians who gathered to celebrate three glorious days of peace, music, and the multifaceted roots of Americana.
The gala featured 26 performances, a second-line-style parade, jam sessions, workshops with featured artists, and nearly 24 hours of music. The Ogden Music Festival is the signature event of The Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance our community’s quality of life through music. They’re also dedicated to getting musical instruments in the hands of our kids and developing the next generation of musicians and music lovers.
It’s a tall task to boil down such a mammoth affair into a short review. Let me start with recognizing the OFOAM leaders and volunteers who put on an amazing and well-run event. Bravo!
The festival began on Friday, May 30, 2025, with five eclectic acts. Salt Lake City’s own Hot House West Swing Orchestra kicked off the weekend with “I’m an old cowhand,” a 1930s classic. The 14-piece western swing and gypsy jazz orchestra dazzled us with a dozen high-energy tunes covering everything from Bing Crosby to Patsy Cline and included original compositions like “Saguaro Serenade.” Melissa Chilinski joined the orchestra as a guest vocalist, and her Pompe n’ Honey bandmates took the stage for the final number, “Side Saddle” complete with a trippy Lawrence Welk-inspired bubble machine.
Photo by Jay Blakesberg.
The music never really stops at the Ogden Music Festival. When one main stage act ends, another begins. “Tweeners” keep the music flowing during the interludes when roadies (always dressed in black) ready the stage for the next performance. Megan Blue delivered a fine bluesy solo set once the Hot House West’s bubbles dissipated and before the next act plugged in.
Pokey LaFarge, sporting a slicked back pompadour, delivered a fabulous 75-minute, 12-song rock-a-billy tent show revival set. Grooving to all that retro-coolness, the audience rose to their feet and communed with the musical spirits conjured by LaFarge and his band. He opened with “So Long Chicago” from his stellar 2024 release Rhumba Country. He reached back into his deep catalog with “Get It ‘Fore It’s Gone,” “End of My Rope”, and “Fine to Me.” He closed his set with “Something In The Water.” Though not the headliner, the crowd demanded more, and he encored with “La La Blues.”
Primera Linea, a youth band from Havana, Cuba, travelled the furthest to entertain us. They blended Afro-Cuban funk, hip hop, and New Orleans-style jazz into a short but energetic “tweener” set. It warmed my heart to see the next generation of artists expanding the Americana songbook.
Cimafunk and his band La Tribu (Spanish for The Tribe) headlined the evening. Cimafunk, a multi-Grammy-nominated artist and musical mixologist, blends Afro-Cuban funk, American retro soul, Latin rock, and hip hop to create a diverse and highly danceable sound. Though I don’t speak Spanish, I am fluent in funk and the universal language of soul. The crowd didn’t need any translation either. They abandoned their low-back chairs and turned the space into a ground-shaking dance party. Cimafunk brought out the members of Primera Linea to jam alongside him on “Me Voy,” ramping up the energy and giving the kids a wonderful moment to shine on stage with the master musicians. The remarkable evening ended with a spirited version of Parliament’s “Give Up The Funk.”
Rumor has it that the U.S. Geological Survey, the folks who detect earthquakes, might have noticed the seismic activity coming from Ogden Friday night. But we will never know, since a certain Ketamine-infused maniac fired all the weekend staff (joking, not joking).
Saturday’s noon to nearly midnight showcase started with Mariachi Fuego, an 8-piece mariachi band decked out in their splendid regalia. They set a festive tone for a warm afternoon embrace of roots-based music.
With a jam-packed schedule of artists on the docket, I had a full bingo card of must-see favorites.
Margo Cilker topped my list. Since reviewing her March 2024 show at The State Room, I’ve been eager to see her again. Her style is country-folk with a West Coast edge. It’s outdoorsy, pack up the Subaru and head to the hills kind of music. She opened with the catchy “Low Land Trail” followed by “Barbed Wire (Belly Crawl)” and “Tehachapi.” On her fourth number, she took us on a journey in a “‘64 Mercury Comet.” I hope she records this lovely coming-of-age banger on a future album. She managed to squeeze in a dozen songs in an hour, including “Keep it on a Burner.” Cilker is a rising star, and I hope she finds her way back here next year (if not sooner).
John Craigie with the Coffis Brothers. When Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival back in 1965, his fans called him a traitor. Craigie didn’t get the same reaction in Ogden. Fans were delighted to hear his electrified music. (He did, however, play a song called Judas.) Craigie usually dazzles audiences as a solo performer armed with his acoustic guitar and his comedic wit. But this summer there’s less standup and more music. Joining him on his tour is the five-piece Coffis Brothers band, who make his finely-crafted tunes pop (and rock). They opened with “Damn My Love” and followed it with “Part Wolf.” Craigie records his songs with multi-instrumental backing, so hearing the larger production of a full band didn’t seem out of place. He gave the band a break and did “I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man” solo. When the band returned, they performed an unexpected cover of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer.”
“I Am California” included captivating guitar and keyboard solos that enhanced his signature tune. He ended the show with a rockin’ rendition of “Nomads.”
Craigie and the Coffis Brothers returned on Sunday for another full set (with 80% different material). On their final festival run, they closed with a spirited version of “Laurie Rolled Me a J.” These two performances were a true festival highlight.
New Dangerfield is a relatively new quartet that is reinvigorating the black string band tradition. I particularly enjoyed their original organic “Put No Walls Around Your Garden.”
Nashville’s Newest Bluegrass Ambassadors East Nash Grass just won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s New Artist of the Year award, so of course, the OFOAM crew had to bring them out to our festival. They uplifted the crowd with their 11-song set of fresh-cut grass.
Sister Sadie is a six-piece, all-female band that blends bluegrass with ‘90s country. Their performance of “Let The Circle Be Broken,” the latest single from their upcoming album, created the most powerful musical moment of the festival. The beautifully harmonized tune about breaking the cycle of generational trauma and abuse received a standing ovation from the crowd for its sheer beauty and the courage it took to play it.
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives headlined the Saturday show. Stuart is a country music legend, multi-Grammy winner, and inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He started his career at thirteen years old touring as a mandolin player in Lester Flatt’s band. He later joined Johnny Cash’s band as a guitarist before moving on to a highly successful solo career. Stuart draws on a depth of musical influences and styles to produce a beautifully rich, timeless sound. He opened with a hard-driving retro country number, “Tear The Woodpile Down.” His country music fans were delighted with “The Whisky Ain’t Workin’.” They played a cool surf rock instrumental, “Space Junk,” and the rockin’ “Tomahawk.” They flawlessly mixed genres through their impressive 18-song set and encored with a surf rock guitar jam before ending with the trippy Doors-esque “Space.” Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives were the perfect headliner for the festival. He connects the dots from many of the genres that make up American roots music.
The great vibes continued on Sunday with local grassers Theoretical Blond, who welcomed festivarians with their uplifting sound just as the morning caffeine started to kick in.
Fretless, a Canadian string quartet, featured the ethereal vocals of Madeleine Roger. As festivarians sat under a scorching sun with cottonwood snow falling all around them, Fretless played tunes that conjured up mental images of both an Appalachian holler and an Irish peat bog. Their cover of Bruce Cockburn’s “Wondering Where The Lions Are” transcended space and time. As the haunting sound of a cello played, two violins and a viola wailed as Roger’s otherworldly voice sang the lyric “some kind of ecstasy got a hold of me.”
Lone Piñon, a string band from New Mexico, blended styles such as Cumbia, Bolero (and so much more) into a masterful set that reached from North to South America and to the Caribbean, highlighting the Latin roots of Americana music.
AJ Lee and Blue Summit closed out the 17th Annual Ogden Music Festival as the Sunday headliner. Their blend of spirited California grass served as a sonic exclamation point on the wonderful and diverse three days of music. Opening with “Hillside,” they played many fan favorites from their hefty catalog, which included “Seaside Town,” “City of Glass,” “Tear My Stillhouse Down,” and “Bakersfield Clay.” I particularly enjoyed their rendition of New Riders of the Purple Sage’s “Glendale Train.” It had all the psychedelic undertones of the original but with a punchier tempo. They also covered Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up The Sun,” which captured the essence of the day. They ended their set with “Lemons and Tangerines” and returned for a remarkable encore with a beautiful version of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” and ended the fest with “To Mine.”
Throughout the three-day festival, we enjoyed the contributions of the mostly local “tweener” contingent of artists who played between main stage setups. The length of each tweener set depended on the speed of the transition, but the quality of their performances never wavered. So thank you to Megan Blue, Primera Linea, Dylan Clough, The Last Wild Buffalo, Pepper Rose, Debra Fatheringham, Cooper Lavallee, Finch and the Magpies, Love Juliet, and Riley Rawlins for keeping the great musical vibes going all weekend.
The Ogden Music Festival is a music lover’s dream. The crowds are right-sized to bring in marquee acts, but small enough to keep it intimate and approachable. Festivarians can see award-winning musicians in all their on-stage glory and then jam with them, up close and personal, at “Jam Camp.” The festival runs like a well-oiled machine, and the vibe is always joyous.
Mark your calendar. The 18th Annual Ogden Music Festival runs from June 5-7, 2026. There will be a variety of ways to participate: Camping, a single-day outing, or grab a full three-day pass. This year, the Sunday ticket cost $25 for 8 hours of great music and fun activities. Follow them at www.ofoam.org. Early bird tickets usually go on sale in December. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for the musician or music enthusiast in your family.
Who: Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM) What: 17th Annual Ogden Music Festival Where: Fort Buenaventura (Ogden) When: May 30, 2025- June 1, 2025 Info: ofoam.org
Temperatures are finally warming up in Salt Lake City, which can only mean one thing: It’s spritzer season baby. Although, we never stopped enjoying our Aperol Spritz and tall pours of prosecco because we know that spritz season isn’t confined to a calendar; it’s a state of mind. The folks at Spritz! understand this and the bubbles flow year round at this adorable bar inside The Peery Hotel.
Wife duo Lizzie and Cailee Jacobs were inspired by their international travels when they constructed a splashy European lounge in the heart of Salt Lake. “I knew I wanted it to be small, super cozy and girly,” says Lizzie. “I wanted people to walk in and feel that someone took time to design the space, not just slap 10 TVs on the walls and call it a day.” Drawn to bold patterns, mid-century maximalism and intimate atmospheres, the couple was elated to discover an open space inside the historic Peery Hotel downtown. Lizzie wasted no time dressing the compact space in a swath of eclectic furnishings and striking patterns, including a hot pink hallway, a wall of mirrors and a personal gallery collage. While others might view the small square footage as a detriment, Lizzie saw it as an opportunity for serendipitous connections—between single travelers or locals looking to share a spritz. “There’s something so exciting about strangers sitting side by side and sparking up a conversation,” she says. “That’s the magic of a hotel bar.”
Spritz! keeps their cocktail menu fresh and rotating with seasonal bubbly beverages. Photo by Adam Finkle.
The drinks at Spritz! match the interior’s sunny disposition, focusing on bubbly cocktails that are as crushable as they are cute. “We want to keep up with the trends, so our menu will include rotating spritz options and fan favorites like espresso and matcha martinis.” The bar’s mix-and-match Spritz options include the foundational Aperol Spritz, along with other bright variations like the Midori and Limoncello Spritz. Inclusivity is key at Spritz!, which is why the menu also boasts an array of mocktails, all served in elegant wine glasses and adorned with garnishes that are as visually appealing as they are refreshing.
Having been open for just over a year, Lizzie has been elated with the response from the community. “It’s been so rewarding, it’s so fulfilling to have found our people.” And, having dialed in the bar’s cocktail approach, the Spritz! team is excited to work in more weekly events and special gatherings. Hosted each Friday, Spritz! screens an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race and invites local drag queens for commentary. The camp-meets-Campari viewing party is a perfect weekend activity to add to your summer lineup, follow their socials to stay up-to-date with themed parties and meet-ups.
With their playful approach to summer sipping and interiors brimming with personality, Spritz! is a welcome addition to Salt Lake’s nightlife scene. So, the next time you’re craving an Aperol Spritz (which, let’s be honest, is always), make your wya to Spritz!—where every season feels like spritz season.
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When you walk into Utah-based donut shop The Other Side Donuts, you will feel like you are in a colorful rainbow dream world of positivity, fluffy clouds and sprinkles tossed in for good measure. Sequins adorn the walls, and strings of flowers hang from the ceiling.
Piña Colada: Lush pineapple meets velvety coconut in this sun-kissed indulgence, capturing the essence of an island getaway. Photo by Adam Finkle
The donut case looks like a veritable jewelry counter of sweetness designed by Katy Perry in 2010 and a little Lisa Frank in 1985 thrown in for good measure. Bright blues, reds, greens, nuts, glazed fruit, marshmallows and toasted sugar are all mouth-wateringly on display.
The staff is as warm and welcoming as the decor. They will delightedly talk about favorite flavors and which ones they helped create, and you will invariably end up with more donuts than you intended out of sheer temptation and excellent customer service.
If you wandered in, you might think this is just another ’grammable donut shop. In that case, you might be surprised to learn that the clean-cut, friendly staff are mostly formerly unhoused members of our community who are transitioning into permanent housing through The Other Side Village. Literally, they are coming out on the other side of homelessness into a supportive community. The Other Side Donuts is a social enterprise designed to give the “villagers” a place to earn money, contribute to their community, develop a support system, build self-reliance and regain a sense of dignity.
Pink Lemonade: Fluffy dough meets a glossy pink lemonade glaze, with a luscious lemon-curd whipped filling. Photo by Adam Finkle
What is a Social Enterprise? Social Enterprises are businesses that do good while making money—it’s built into how they operate. At The Other Side Village, they’ll serve three key purposes: Provide funds to run The Villages generating income to help sustain the operations, provide jobs by offering meaningful, paid work that fits the skills and abilities of residents and by bringing people together through strengthening connections between the Village and the surrounding.
Nicholas Smith, the general manager of The Other Side Donuts, explains, “What makes this place unique is that the people working here have committed to change. They want to improve their lives and situation and have the community to do so here.”
Nicholas knows what his staff has been challenged with: making a big life change. He went through the sister program at The Other Side Academy, which helped him journey from a life of addiction, crime and incarceration to being a leader at the academy and now helping develop The Other Side Donuts.
The Unicorn Donut: Drenched in swirling rainbow icing and a dusting of edible glitter. It is as enchanting as it is precious. Photo by Adam Finkle
Nicholas also explained that one of the goals was to help the employees who may not have job skills, have physical or mental limitations, or may need extra training to have a place where they are offered support but also held accountable by their peers. “It’s amazing to see how people start to change and grow and how they will own their opportunities. Especially when they know that it is their peers that they are letting down if they don’t keep their commitments,” he adds.
Sweet dreams of change paired with sweet donuts make for a magical combination. And the donuts are very, very good. The menu is divided into several sections (based on the price and complexity of the donut itself): the classics, the daydreams, the sweet dreams and the cloud nines.
The donut shop opened with its core recipes, but the team constantly comes up with new and seasonal ideas. While you can order online for pickup, it is better to go in and see what new and exciting concoctions they have in the case.
The Classic Donuts are $2 each, and you will find your perfectly glazed donut along with the Utah favorite, a maple bar, and a few extra fun ones tossed in for good measure. The Miss Trunchbull’s chocolate cake donut is dipped in chocolate glaze and covered in mini chocolate chips, a winky nod to the movie Matilda. The Galaxy glaze has a galactic swirl of semi-tart vanilla icing, edible shimmering stars and berry crystals.
The Other Side Donuts offers catering, pickups, and a donut wall for events, and they have regular in-house events. Photo by Adam Finkle
The next step up is the Daydream Donuts, which are $2.50 each, and the step up in flavor and creativity is worth more than just two quarters. The grown-up PB&J is a double-filled donut that combines whipped peanut butter, very comfy peanuts on top and fresh jam. You will absolutely want to eat this with a glass of milk. Speaking of milk, the milk and cereal donut is dipped in a milk frosting and topped with cereal for a delightful crunch.
The Sweet Dreams Donuts sell for $4 each and are the stuff that dreams are made of. Flo Rida key lime pie, a s’more donut complete with toasted marshmallow on top, and a creme brulee donut make the list. The Blockbuster is one of the most popular Donuts here. A donut with a Plugra butter glaze and red button popcorn on the top, served in a mini popcorn bucket, complete with a cola soda candy to the side.
And finally, the creme de la creme, the Cloud Nine Donuts, our visionary. At $6.50 each, they are each splurge-worthy and unique. Take the beehive donut filled with lemon curd, a spicy honey glaze topped with fluffy honey meringue toasted and a white chocolate honeycomb. It is both whimsical and a nod to Utah, of course. My favorite donut of the lot (and I tried about 10 of them) was the strawberry habanero donut. It was sweet with a strawberry glaze but with that habanero kick. It is surprisingly spicy without being too in your face about it.
The Other Side Donuts offers catering, pickups, and a donut wall for events and they have regular in-house events. The next time you’re craving a sweet treat, pick a place where every bite makes a difference in someone’s life.
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