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Jun 29
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MY24 - Q8 e-tron - Side - Parked

Utah’s Best: Ken Garff Porsche Audi Lehi

By From Our Partners

Porsche Audi Lehi Offers EVs That Stay True to Their DNA

Simon Millican remembers the first time he showed off one of Audi’s EV offerings, which the maker calls an “e-tron®,” to a friend of his.

He was surprised by how similar the Audi e-tron was to every other car the luxury automobile brand puts out.

“‘Oh, so basically this is a normal Audi, it’s just electric,’” Simon, who works as the Service Manager at Ken Garff Audi Lehi, recalls his good friend saying. “And I laughed and was like ‘Yeah, that’s the point.’”

Folks who know and love the Audi and Porsche brands well know what they like. Many other makers who dip into producing EVs often make it a point to differentiate their electric vehicle models from the rest. Audi and Porsche don’t, Simon explains. Those two in particular stay true to their DNA.

“They don’t try to reinvent the entire vehicle, just the way it propels itself,” Simon says.

While electric vehicles are still somewhat new to the marketplace, Simon notes that the technology improves by leaps and bounds each year. That, along with the growing supply of charging locations across the Salt Lake Valley, puts more and more EVs on Utah roads by the day.

Porsche Audi Lehi
Porsche Taycan. Fully-jaw-dropping-electric.

Porsche Audi Lehi
Porsche Macan 4 Electric. Electrifies the town.

“I think it is easier and more friendly now to own an EV than at any other point in the past,” Simon says. “I think it’ll only continue on that trend.”

What sets Audi and Porsche electric vehicles apart from the other OEMs isn’t just their commitment to continuity with its traditional gas and diesel-fueled cars, but also to creating the most consistent performance possible. A climate like Utah’s can be hard on an electric vehicle’s battery but Simon explains that both makers do a great job with the thermal management of the batteries.

“To avoid the worst effects of the temperatures, I think they’re a much better option for Utah than whatever else is out there,” Simon says of Audi and Porsche’s EVs.

Porsche Audi Lehi
Audi Q4 e-tron®. Put yourself in charge.

If you’re curious about the EV experience—maybe you’re asking yourself ‘Does an Audi e-tron or Porsche EV feel the same as all the other models?’—there’s no better place to find out more than either Ken Garff Audi Lehi or Porsche Lehi. For years, Ken Garff Audi Lehi has been rated as the top Audi dealer in the state by earning the Magna Society Award, Simon boasts. Porsche Lehi has earned similar credentials through the Premier Dealer distinction. Both dealerships have gained those honors through their customer service by carefully and kindly navigating clients through all their questions.

“We do a great job at personalizing the experience,” Simon says. “I empower all the service advisors to always do the right thing for the customer. Even with all these new EVs and some of the newer, complex issues they have, we take care of people and keep them at ease while we have their car.”

3425 N. Digital Dr., Lehi | 801-852-5400 | porschelehi.com
3455 N. Digital Dr., Lehi | 801-438-8495 | audilehi.com

Jun 29
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7-MattDyson-WT0C0017F

Utah’s Best: Relax the Back

By From Our Partners

Relax The Back Has Your Back When It Comes to ‘24-hour Support’

Locally owned and a Salt Lake City Community member for over 25 years, Relax The Back’s Holladay location is driven by the desire to keep you feeling your best.

An epicenter of ergonomic tools, Relax The Back is full of products designed to keep your spine comfortable and healthy.

“We’re really a unique concept when it comes to a retail store, especially in the wellness space,” says store owner Matt Dyson. “We’re not necessarily a mattress store, we’re not necessarily an office chair or furniture store. Over the years, we’ve evolved to a more total body wellness approach.”

Photo by Adam Finkle

Dyson describes this approach as “24-hour support.” Relax The Back doesn’t just want to provide devices for part of the day—like say when you’re sleeping or working at a desk, the store’s offerings are out to be there for you and your back all day long. 

What’s available at the store backs that up. Relax The Back has everything a healthy body could need. From zero gravity recliners with massagers and heat to ergonomic standing desks to all the latest and greatest in mattress technology, Relax The Back has a solution for any setting a back could be in.

The key to a healthy back, Dyson explains, is to keep in a neutral position as much as possible while focusing on the Three S’s: stretching, strengthening and stabilizing the spine. Dyson continues to say that his team is passionate about serving its customers. They’re not out to make a quick buck on a novelty item and the wellness consultants are not commissioned salespeople.

“Our job is to connect with customers on a more personal level to find what’s going to work for them and find them the best possible solution,” Dyson says.

The medical professionals in the area know and trust Relax The Back well. According to Dyson, a good share of his clientele is often referred to the store by doctors and physical therapists. Whether it is for a high school athlete, an older person with a debilitating condition, or somebody in search of preventative measures, they all receive personalized service at Relax The Back which you won’t get online.

“The unfortunate truth is that back pain does not discriminate,” Dyson says. “We see customers of all types that are struggling with pain. We’re not medical professionals and we don’t pretend to be but we go through extensive training so we can genuinely help the customers find what’s going to work best.”

4844 S. Highland Dr., Holladay | 801-278-4567 | relaxtheback.com

Jun 28
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253L-0748

Utah’s Best: The Tasting Room

By From Our Partners

Sophisticated, not fussy, fun awaits at The Tasting Room in Downtown Salt Lake

For years, The Tasting Room has been a sought-after wedding and event venue in downtown Salt Lake City. Now—after explaining to countless callers that The Tasting Room was not, in fact, a wine bar—owners Ryan and Kaleb Crafts have decided to flip the switch and lean into the name. Following renovations, The Tasting Room will officially reopen early this fall as a high-end wine bar and lounge.

The building will retain its original exposed brick from when it was constructed in the early 1900s. With all-new wood floors, lighting, and furniture (plus, of course, a full bar), the place will have a warm, inviting ambiance perfect for sharing a quiet, intimate meal and drinks.

“A metropolitan lounge,” is how Kaleb describes it. “We created a whole new cellar and built a glass wall where you can sit and be surrounded by hundreds of wine bottles.” Over 1,200 bottles of wine, to be exact, plus a wide assortment of local Utah beers and spirits.

“Most bars offer the same standard big-name alcohols with a few local products thrown in,” Ryan explains. “We’re reversing that. We will feature the best of what Utah produces, with the old standbys mixed in.”

It’s a philosophy that has launched The Tasting Room’s parent company, Culinary Crafts, to the top of the Utah catering scene. Twenty-seven-time winner of Utah’s Best of State award, Culinary Crafts has helped define Utah cuisine. “You won’t catch us making pretentious food or serving bubbles of aerified nonsense,” Kaleb says. “That’s not Utah cuisine. We serve fresh, local, seasonal food that’s classy and delicious, but never fussy.”

The Tasting Room will take that same simple, no-nonsense approach.

“It’s about bringing people together to share food and drinks,” Kaleb says. “But we also want to educate and elevate palates.” Their in-house sommelier will be available to help guide guests to a great experience for alcohol drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Besides delicious food and beverages, the new Tasting Room will also offer a calendar of wine yoga, paint and sip date nights, live music, and more wine-centric fun. 

So now, when you call and ask for more information on wine tasting at the Tasting Room, you’ll get exactly what you were looking for, and more.

357 W. 200 South, SLC | 801-225-6575 | tastingroomslc.com

Jun 27
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Best of the Beehive 2024

Editor’s Note: How to Love Utah

By Community

It was 40 years ago, I was at the Sandcastle Theater, in Woods Cross, marveling at the film Footloose. It wasn’t that the movie itself was a marvel. I was marveling because I recognized the places on the screen. While the film is set in a fictional midwestern town, I could see Utah up there in 35mm.

The Wasatch Front rises over nearly every scene. I had been to the farmland where the film’s wild chicken fight occurs (it was filmed on a schoolmate’s uncle’s property). I had been to the Lehi Roller Mills, where Kevin Bacon’s Ren McCormack works. And, in a sense, I had been to Payson High School, which looked (and still looks) like pretty much every Utah high school of that era.

In this issue, we chronicle the making of Footloose (“Cuttin’ Loose in Payson”) and last spring’s successful efforts by Payson High’s Class of 2024 to bring Kevin Bacon back to his old dance floor. In pulling the story together, it reminded me of that 1984 moment of, well, call it cinematic vertigo. The movie made me feel like I was from somewhere not just anywhere. I came from an actual place and it’s a place that I still love 40 years later.

Thus the theme of our centerpiece article, Salt Lake magazine’s Best of the Beehive. Each year, we share our favorite and readers’ favorite things, and this year, we decided to share the reasons we love Utah. And although we could only cram about 75 (ish) onto the pages, you’ll discover plenty to love.

Need even more proof that Utah is the best place to live? Read our 2023 Best of the Beehive issue here!

Jun 25
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RB1

Preview: Lukas Nelson Added to Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series 

By Music

Red Butte isn’t done filling its summer calendar (as if 30 great shows weren’t enough). They just added Lukas Nelson on August 28th to their amazing Outdoor Concert Series. Tickets for this bonus show go on sale June 21, 2024.

Lukas Nelson is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose musical style blends boot-stomping country with soulful blues to create a unique and exciting Americana sound. 

Red Butte Garden concert
Lukas Nelson. Photo courtesy of Red Butte Garden.

Fun fact: Nelson received a BAFTA (the British equivalent of an Oscar) as co-producer on the 2018 movie soundtrack for A Star Is Born.

In case you didn’t score tickets during the initial April rush, don’t despair. There are still tickets available for these incredible artists:

  • The String Cheese Incident

  • Slash w/ Keb’ Mo’, Samantha Fish, and Jackie Venson (Samantha Fish is a must-see!)

  • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue w/ Big Boi

  • Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo w/ The Vindys (Benatar rocked the Garden last summer!)

  • Stray Cats w/ Midnight Cowgirls

  • Gary Clark Jr.

  • Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth & Leftover Salmon 

  • Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes

  • Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

  • The Airborne Toxic Event w/ Tyler Ramsey

  • Keene w/ Everything Everything

  • Buena Vista Social Orchestra

  • Crowded House

  • Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Check out a few of our past reviews:

Samantha Fish

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

Melissa Ethridge and Keb’ Mo’

What: Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concerts Series
Who: Lukas Nelson
Where: Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
When: August 28, 2024
Info and tickets: https://redbuttegarden.org/concerts/

Jun 24
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Andy Frasco and the U.N. at the 2024 Utah Arts Festival

Interview: Is Arts Fest Headliner Andy Frasco Growing Up?

By Music

Could it be that Andy Frasco is maturing? He’s returned to touring and Utah fans at this year’s Utah Arts Festival can expect Andy Frasco and the U.N. to still bring the party on stage (or somewhere in front of the stage when Frasco is crowd surfing). Frasco will headline the Saturday, June 29, 2024 music lineup along with funk band Cool Cool on the Festival’s scenic Amphitheater Stage. 

But the singer/keyboardist is toning down the partying and other shenanigans that typically happened on and off stage on past tours. 

“I’m doing it for my liver,” Frasco said when he phoned in for a recent interview. “I’m all about the party, but I want people to know that I’m a songwriter, too. So I’m just really dialing in my songwriting, really dialing in my musicianship, so I know I can’t blame my partying for my sh***y songs…I love partying and I love giving the people their entertainment, but I also want to give them something to think about.”

The fact is, by the time the pandemic hit in spring 2020, Frasco was not in a great place. He’d been drinking too much and doing cocaine and finding his life-of-the-party behavior had left him wondering who his friends were and battling some genuine bouts of depression. 

No one wanted the pandemic, but being forced off of the road gave Frasco the much-needed opportunity to take a hard look at himself, figure out how to get his life in a better place and decide if he still truly loved writing music and going on tour.

“I was just very selfish,” Frasco said, citing one of the contributing factors to his emotional issues. “I was like doing things and not thinking about others. All of a sudden people wouldn’t start calling me back. I realized maybe it was me. I always blamed everyone else that I was on an island. But maybe I’m putting myself on an island. So I had to figure out the (situation) and realize what was making me sad.

“Before the pandemic, I didn’t want to be there. And I was faking a smile because I was just too depleted,” he said. “I had to look at myself in the mirror, like what are you doing this for if you’re not going to wake up? You preach happiness and you’re not even happy, so why do you keep (doing) it?”

One significant change was to kick his cocaine habit. He also cut back on drinking, although he admits he still enjoys his beverages. But the supply of Jameson liquor is lasting longer these days, as he and his band have moderated their intake onstage these days.

“There’s still drinking. I’m not going to lie to you there,” Frasco said. “But it’s definitely more toned down. We’re drinking half a bottle of Jameson a night, not the full bottle.”

The changes in behavior won’t surprise those who’ve been paying attention. Especially on the 2020 albums “Keep On Keeping On” and “Wash, Rinse, Repeat.,” the album that arrived in April 2022, it was clear Frasco wasn’t just offering escapism in his music.

That was a main theme for Frasco after he founded Andy Frasco & the U.N. in 2007, began touring and released the first of what is now nine studio albums in 2010.

One look at song titles like “Mature As F***,” “Blame It on the P***y” (from 2016’s Happy Bastards) or “Smokin’ Dope ’n’ Rock ’n’ Roll” and “Commitment Deficit Disorder” (from 2014’s Half a Man) and it was obvious that Frasco and company were bringing the party with funny, sometimes bawdy lyrics, a disregard for rules, decorum (and sobriety), and a rowdy sound that mixed rock, funk, blues, soul and pop.

The approach generated a good bit of popularity, as Frasco and the U.N. began what became a consistent routine of playing roughly 250 shows a year—a pace that continues to this day. Along the way, the band especially caught on in the jam band scene and festival circuit.

But especially with Keep On Keeping On, Frasco started to shift the narrative of his songs to more thoughtful subject matter, a direction that continued on Wash, Rinse, Repeat. Frasco still kept the tone of the lyrics light, while the music on these two most recent albums stayed buoyant and catchy as ever. But Frasco’s lyrics now wrestled with topics like getting older, maintaining his mental health, finding happiness, being considerate and appreciating life as it happens.  

Keep On Keeping On arrived shortly after the pandemic hit, and with touring halted, Frasco didn’t worry about taking the next musical step for quite a while.

Instead, he took to social media. He hosted a video I Wanna Dance With Somebody Dance Party, and started an irreverent variety show podcast series he called Andy Frasco’s World Saving S***Show. But much of his podcasting work was devoted to a series he calls Andy Frasco’s World Saving Podcast. It features interviews—some of which get downright deep— with musicians and other celebrities, commentary and comedic bits. The series has gained considerable traction and Frasco, who is frequently joined by co-host Nick Gerlach, has continued doing these podcasts even as he returns to a full schedule of touring, songwriting and recording.

With all of this activity, it wasn’t until about six weeks before he was due to return touring in 2021 that Frasco realized he wanted to have new music for the upcoming shows and charged into making Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

He traveled to several cities—Nashville, Charleston, S.C., Los Angeles and Denver to write and record with other songwriters, a process that helped him sharpen his songwriting chops as the album took shape.

“It was basically like going to songwriting school,” Frasco said. “Like I wrote with 20 different songwriters and I wrote with like 15 different songwriters in Nashville, and I wrote with a couple of guys in Charleston and a couple of guys in L.A., and instead of like the mind state of I know everything, I went in there with my mind state of I don’t know anything. It kind of helped me grow into the next phase of my career.”

Feeling he was in a creative space, Frasco spent a chunk of 2022 making his current album, L‘Optimist. The new album reflects a new development in Frasco’s life.

“I think it’s a love album. I finally committed to someone and I’ve been writing about her,” Frasco said. 

The songs, though, aren’t all about romantic bliss.

“It’s scary as hell. I’ve never had a relationship,” Frasco revealed. “I don’t even know what the f*** I’m doing. That’s what I’m writing about. Like is this OK?”

Some of the songs from L‘Optimist are popping up in set lists on Frasco’s current tour with his band, along with material from his back catalog. 

 “I have two different philosophies when I write songs,” Frasco said. “Sometimes I write songs for the record and sometimes I write songs for the (live) set. And these new songs, I was focusing on trying to write it for both. It’s been really nice. It’s given me confidence that I can write songs for both the (album) and the live show.”

  • Who: Andy Frasco & the U.N. with Cool Cool

  • When: Saturday, June 29, 2024

  • Where: The Utah Arts Festival at Library Square, SLC

  • Tickets and information: uaf.org

Jun 21
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Third Eye Blind- Kylie Spinelli

Third Eye Blind Headlines Ampitheaters Across the US This Summer

By Music

Twenty-seven years ago, Third Eye Blind blasted onto the music scene with a self-titled album that went six-times platinum and included the enduring alternative rock hits “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Graduate,” “How’s It Going To Be” and “Jumper.”  A double-platinum second album, “Blue,” followed two years later.

Then the radio hits stopped coming, with 2000’s “Never Let You Go” marking the last top 10 single for the band. So it might seem surprising for Third Eye Blind to still be headlining amphitheaters this summer. 

But Third Eye Blind’s popularity endures. And Stephen Jenkins, Third Eye Blind’s founding member, songwriter and singer, noted that turnout for his band’s concerts is actually bigger than ever. So how does it feel to live in this kind of welcome reality 27 years after the blockbuster self-titled debut album was released? 

“Implausible would be the word probably,” Jenkins said in an early May phone interview. “Really, it just feels like I’m just on this ride, and more than anything else it just reminds me about the basics. It reminds me of the things that I value, which is being musical, being authentic, being in a genuine exchange with the audience. All of those things are the things that remain the most important to me.”

The barrage of top-10 radio hits that launched the band’s career may have dried up after “Never Let You Go” (from “Blue”), but in other ways Third Eye Blind has actually been a resurgent band over the past decade.

That span has seen Jenkins and drummer Brad Hargreaves — the remaining members of the early Third Eye Blind lineup — enjoying a period of stability, with guitarist Kryz Reid, bassist Alex LeCavalier each now in their second decade with the band and keyboardist/guitarist Colin Crev (a member since 2019) rounding out the current lineup.

With this unit, the personalities and the priorities of the band members have aligned in a way that didn’t always happen with the original band.

“This band, just we love each other,” Jenkins said. “We like to be together and we’re like we’re like a bunch of puppies. I think what makes this band jam is our sense of empathy, really, more than anything else with each other. We like to make space for each other on stage and that’s what makes it jam.”

The current band members not only have the right chemistry, with Jenkins leading the way as songwriter, they’ve been quite prolific. After releasing only two albums over the 15 years that followed the release of “Blue” in 1999, Third Eye Blind has been releasing music at a steady clip, with three full-length studio albums — 2015’s “Dopamine,” 2019’s “Screamer” and 2021’s “Our Band Aparte” — and two EPs (2016’s “We Are Drugs” and 2018’s “Thanks For Everything”), plus “Unplugged,” a 2022 album that featured acoustic versions of song from across the group’s catalog, joining the band’s catalog.

Jenkins feels that along the way, his attitude toward songwriting and recording loosened up, and that accounts for the increased musical output of Third Eye Blind.

“I think it’s really just a lack of judgment,” he said. “I think I was always being hard on myself in the past and I probably still am, but something has improved there. Something has gotten better in some ways and I’m less critical of myself and more able to just get into it, to make music. So I think that’s the reason.”

Exactly what songs Third Eye Blind will play on tour this summer is an open question, as Jenkins said the band has plenty of options.

“We have a lot of music and there’s a lot of different stuff that fans want to hear. if you go on Reddit and ask what do you want to hear this summer, if you get 50 different responses, you’ll get 50 different songs,” he said. “So we try to do things like almost like being DJs and we kind of try to mix ourselves as a live band and weave in different things back and forth is kind of the idea. So that’s how I’m looking at making this set. There’s also going to be an acoustic section where we get rid of all the amps and stuff and we play everything with acoustic guitars and (lighter) drums and reimage the songs like that.”

There may also be new tunes available to play, as Jenkins has been busy finishing lyrics and vocals for what could be an EP or album, depending on how things play out and whether Jenkins writes more songs for the project.

“For me it (inspiration) comes when it comes and I don’t know how to do it differently than that,” Jenkins said. “I wish I did. But I do have a new album (happening). I’m about done. And so there’s pressure here at the end. It’s going to definitely help me finish it.”

Third Eye Blind is performing at the Utah First Credit Union Ampitheatre on June 25th, get your tickets here.

Jun 20
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AdobeStock_804448834

One Pizza to Rule them All: The Best Slice in Park City

By Eat & Drink

Pizza is the greatest food ever devised by humankind. It’s a perfect ski-town delicacy, versatile, flexible and equally at home served as the centerpiece of an après-ski feast as it is when scarfed down cold as a part of a balanced powder-day breakfast. A quick Google query returned more than 20 results for Pizza in Park City. Where is one to start? I utilized the methods of serious investigative journalism, visited numerous pizzerias, consumed thousands of calories of cheese and consulted with a coterie of highly unqualified individuals to find Park City’s best pizza. You’re welcome.

The Contenders

Requirements For Inclusion In This Assessment

  • Makes delightful pizza

  • Not a national chain

  • Suitable for carry-out

  • I was able to find the time to eat there during this investigation.

The Fuego Blanco at Fuego Pizzeria. Photo courtesy of Fuego.

Fuego Pizzeria

Crust–Old-world, wood-fired dough.

Cheese—Like a skilled carpenter, knows the right tool for the job

Toppings—Top-shelf antipasto-quality stuff

Highlight—The “Wasatch” perfectly marries pancetta, garlic and pineapple.

Ambiance—It’ll inspire you to order a Peroni with that pizza.

Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery

Crust— Admirably chewy, but ask for extra crispy if you prefer more support.

Cheese—May have stumbled across a leftover truckload of ricotta.

Toppings—Loaded like a VW Beetle during a cross-country move.

Highlight—The “Eddie Would Go” has sublime Italian sausage

Ambiance—Suitable for being emotionally volatile while watching sports.

Este Pizza

Crust–Perfection even a persnickety Mets fan could love.

Cheese—Picked up one of those ricotta cases that fell off the back of the truck.

Toppings—Laid on thicker than a bad Boston accent in an Affleck movie.

Highlight—The “New Jersey Combo” is authentic: everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Ambiance—Outdoor seating is prime in the warmer months.

Dining room inside Davanza’s. Photo courtesy of Davanza’s.

Davanza’s

Crust–No folding required here.

Cheese—Anything beyond mozzarella is heretical.

Toppings—Balanced like Simone Biles during a floor routine.

Highlight—Heaps of red onions and cilantro make the “BBQ Chicken” sing

Ambiance—Bonus points for being ski in, ski out.

Looking for more ‘Best of’ Park City food? Check out our top picks for sports bars on the Wasatch Back.

Jun 19
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Secret-SLC-Josepa

Utah’s Lost Hawaiian Colony

By Community, Utah Lore

In 1845, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent its first missionaries to the South Pacific Island of Tahiti. The Mormons weren’t alone. It was a period of zealous Christian proselytizing in the Pacific Islands. But the LDS missionaries had remarkable success in the South Pacific—perhaps because their belief that the native island peoples were descendants of the Lamanites, a group of people in The Book of Mormon, gave LDS missionaries extra zeal. Many of the converted were from the Hawaiian Islands, then known as the Sandwich Islands, and many of the fresh converts made the perilous journey to Salt Lake City to dwell in the shadow of Temple Square.

In 1879, LDS Church leaders established a colony for Hawaiian immigrants to Utah in Skull Valley, an ominously named and arid place in the western desert near what is today the military-proving grounds and chemical weapons disposal base Dugway. The settlement was named Iosepa, the Hawaiian word for Joseph after Mormon founder Joseph Smith and his descendant, LDS church president Joseph F. Smith, who went to Hawaii on a church mission in 1854.  

Hawaiian Colony Utah
Iosepa residents celebrating the Pioneer Day of 1913. Photo courtesy of Utah Historical Society.

It’s hard to imagine Hawaiians, coming from such a lush and green island, feeling quite at home there. But religious zeal (and ample support from Salt Lake City) sustained them in a hard-scrabble existence where they farmed, ranched cattle and raised pigs, toiling under harsh conditions.

By 1917, the experiment was abandoned and many of the residents returned to their native islands, drawn back to help work on the LDS Temple being built in Laie on the island of Oahu. At its height, nearly 228 Pacific Islanders lived in Iosepa. The site is a ghost town today on the National Register of Historic Places. There are informational markers and remnants of some structures as well as a forlorn graveyard that continues to bear testimony of the harsh conditions in Iosepa. 

Leprosy in Iosepa?

Although it is not officially stated, an irrational fear of leprosy may have been behind the far-flung location of Iosepa. The site is 75 miles from Salt Lake City, an arduous journey in the days of horse-drawn carts. Although three leprosy cases were documented during Iosepa’s lifespan, the fears were largely unfounded.

How to Go

Iosepa, an abandoned Hawaiian colony in Utah’s Skull Valley, is located off of Interstate 80’s exit 77. After the exit, travel south on Utah Highway 196 for 15 miles. A large sign marks the dirt road that leads to the cemetery.

Jun 18
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Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pgutah

Utah towns’ many “days” of celebration across the state

By Community

I cannot speak for other states, but here in Utah, every town with a population more than a few thousand people seems to have their own bespoke “Days” of celebration in summer or fall. I grew up in Northern Utah County, where we celebrated American Fork Steel Days and Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days. Some cities have tried to stand out with the spelling (looking at you, Taylorsville Dayzz), or eschewing the “days” all together, like the rodeo-centric Lehi Round-up or Highland Fling, which hosts Scottish Highland Games-inspired strongman competitions (many of which involve flinging heavy objects).

Often, each town’s respective “days” event is named for some aspect of the town’s heritage or history. According to town lore, Steel Days earned its name in 1945, when the mayor of the time decided that “Poultry Day” no longer reflected the city’s economy. You see, the new Columbia Steel Mill had rolled into town and become the largest employer in the area.

Perhaps a bit removed from the history, each town’s celebration usually involves some kind of carnival, parade, art market, fireworks and/or rodeo with a little bit of local flavor unique to each one. Below is a non-exhaustive list of many of the upcoming days of celebration.

Local town celebrations

Fort Herriman Towne Days
June 15–22 | W&M Butterfield Park, Herriman
Fort Herriman Towne Days spans an entire week and is the largest event in Herriman City, with activities for the whole family…including fireworks!

Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days
June 18–23 | Historic Downtown Pleasant Grove, Pleasant Grove
103 Years of the Longest Running Celebration in Utah! 2024 Theme: Strawberry Days: The Heart of Pleasant Grove. Located at the foot of majestic Mount Timpanogos, with the waters of Utah Lake on the west, Pleasant Grove is well known for its annual Strawberry Days event, the longest continuously running city celebration in Utah. Enjoy fresh strawberries at this annual city celebration featuring an old fashioned rodeo, carnival, craft fair, parade, and much more.

Clarkston Pony Express Day
June 21–22 | Town Square, Clarkston

South Ogden Days 
June 21–22 | Friendship Park, South Ogden

Lehi Round-Up
June 24–29 | Wines Park, Lehi
Always held the last full week in June, Round-Up Week is filled with great family activities including an Outdoor Movie, Family Western BBQ, the Round-Up Market, 3 different Parades, the 5K, Family Fun Day and the PRCA Rodeo. The theme for Lehi Round-Up 2024 is, “Once Upon A Time…”

2024 Taylorsville Dayzz
June 27–29 | Taylorsville Valley Regional Park, Taylorsville
Taylorsville Dayzz 2024 is happening on June 27, 28 and 29! It will include all the traditional festivities, including the Taylorsville Dayzz Parade, concerts, carnival rides, food booths, car show, 5K and, of course, the best fireworks in the state. Thursday’s festivities kick off at 4 p.m. with carnival rides, food and craft booths, followed by evening entertainment at 7 p.m.

Riverton Town Days and Rodeo
June 27–29 (Rodeo) | July 3–4 (Riverton Town Days) | Riverton City Park, Riverton
The Riverton Town Days celebration offers days full of fun! Town Days brings together thousands to honor America’s independence and to celebrate our community. This long-standing tradition is a favorite among both new and old residents and can be counted on for cherished memories year-after-year. Town Days kicks off each year with the Riverton Rodeo and includes favorites like the parade, movie in the park, carnival, chuckwagon breakfast, bingo, children’s contests, fireworks, and much more!

North Ogden Cherry Days 
June 29–July 6 | North Ogden Park, North Ogden
Come join us for a massive carnival at North Ogden Park featuring over 25 attractions! Purchase a wristband for access to all the inflatables inside the baseball field for the entire day. Bring your bathing suit and towel and get ready to get wet! This carnival spans two days, Friday and Saturday, with loads of entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Other activities include: Pickleball tournament, Ping Pong Ball Drop, Cherry Days Jr. Posse Rodeo, Cherry Days Luau, parade and fireworks.

Mt. Pleasant Hub City Days 
July 1–July 4 | Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Grounds, Mt. Pleasant

West Jordan Western Stampede 
July 4–6 | Veterans Memorial Park, West Jordan
A Utah tradition for 68 years! The Western Stampede rides into West Jordan bringing rodeo excitement and great family fun. The celebration includes the rodeo, carnival, grand parade, fireworks, food trucks and much more! Visit westernstampede.com for pricing and information!Experience a thrilling adventure at the annual Western Stampede Carnival in Veterans Memorial Park! Enjoy exhilarating rides, exciting games, and mouthwatering treats in a vibrant atmosphere. Fun for all ages, this event promises unforgettable memories for family and friends. Don’t miss out on the excitement!

Farmington Festival Days 
July 8–13 | Forbush Park, Farmington
Farmington’s Festival Days is an annual event celebrating our country and our amazing community.

Fountain Green Lamb Days 
July 19–20 | Center Street, Fountain Green
Once known as Wool City and “The Richest Little City Per Capita in the U.S.,” Fountain Green boasted 100,000 head of sheep. The first Lamb Day was held on August 23, 1930. Lamb Days still features a Wool Show as well as craft fair, parade and fireworks.

American Fork Steel Days 
July 13–20 | Art Dye Park, American Fork
This year, we celebrate 78 years since the first Steel Day celebration! For over 100 years the city of American Fork has gathered together to celebrate its history, achievements, business community, and residents. This annual celebration is now known as Steel Days, but throughout the years the festivities have also been called Timber Day, Liberty Day, and Poultry Day. Whether Steel Days has been a family tradition for several years or you’ve never attended, you are invited to come check out our new events, enjoy all of the fun that Steel Days has to offer, and make some memories of your own.

Draper Days 
July 11–20 | Draper City Park, Draper
Draper Days is a fantastic community event held every July in Draper, Utah. The event typically features a festival, parade, 5K race, sports tournaments, movie nights, concerts and many other activities. Draper Days is sponsored and managed by Draper City and supported by a team of sponsors and volunteers.

Payson Scottish Festival
July 12–13 | Memorial Park, Payson

Bountiful Handcart Days 
July 19–20 | Bountiful City Park, Bountiful
2024 Theme – Onward and Upward. Join us for food, drinks, games, and other fun activities at Bountiful City Park! Peter Breinholt will be performing this year! Grab a blanket or camp chair for the free concert at the Bountiful City Park Pavilion. Other events include: Bountiful’s Main Street parade, Mountain Man and Native American demonstrations and annual fireworks show at Mueller Park Junior High.

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days 
July 19–24 | Various venues, Spanish Fork
Fiesta Days hosts numerous events celebrating the community: Speedy Spaniard Mile Run, Grand Parade, Outdoor Quilt Show, Food Vendors, Craft Fair, Carnival, Entertainment in the Park, Adopt a Duck Race, Fiesta Days Rodeo, Fireworks Spectacular Concert and Fireworks Spectacular

Altamont Longhorn Days 
July 22–27 | Altamont

Butlerville Days 
July 25–27 | Butler Park, Cottonwood Heights
Activities include: car show, fireworks, parade, pickleball, chalk art and stage entertainment.

Roy Days 
July 27–August 3 | George Wahlen Park, Roy
Annually, Roy City hosts the Roy Days Events. This is a time-honored tradition and we truly enjoy the time spent with not only our residents, but those of surrounding cities as well. The events typically begin in July with the Miss Roy Scholarship Competition. This is an opportunity to come out and support our local talent. We also host a Fishing Derby, open to all ages with kids 12 and older needing a valid fishing license. The Roy City Arts Council also hosts the Roy Days Art Show. Our main Roy Days Events include a Salmon Bake, Movie in the Park, 5K Run/Wheelchair 5K/2-Mile Walk/Kids Fun Run, Parade, Car Show and Vendor Booths, and of course we always end the night with Fireworks!

Santaquin Orchard Days
July 27–August 3 | Centennial Park, Santaquin
Orchard Days is a long-standing tradition in our community which brings our citizens together to celebrate the heritage of our wonderful city. Includes: Little Buck-A-Roo Rodeo, Chamber of Commerce Pancake Breakfast, Family Night with FREE Family Fun for Everyone, Horseshoe Tournament, Family Comedy Show, Magic Show, Pickleball Tournaments, Grand Parade, Boutique and Craft Booths and more! 

Highland Fling 
July 29–August 3 | Heritage Park and Highland Community Center, Highland
Activities include: Car Show, Kids Night, Horseshoe Tournament, Baby Celebration, Fine Art Show, Splash of Paradise, Backyard Garden Tours, Play Day Rodeo, 5K Glow Run, Strongman Competition & Highland Games, Grand Parade, Disc Golf Tournament, Historical Society Displays, Medallion Hunt and Saturday Kids’ Zone.

Midvale Harvest Days 
July 29–August 3 | Midvale City Park, Midvale
Midvale Harvest Days, a vibrant week-long celebration that captures the essence of community spirit and cultural richness. For more than 80 years, Harvest Days brings together residents and visitors alike for a series of unforgettable events: Harvest Days Parade, Festival, Bingo, Concerts and Fireworks.

Bear Lake Raspberry Days 
August 1–3 | Heritage Park, Garden City
The Raspberry Days Festival is an incredible event held to celebrate the harvest of the world famous Bear Lake Raspberries. The Raspberry harvest usually starts around the 3rd week of July. The Raspberry Days Festival is an annual event filled 3 days with all the fun events

Lindon Days
August 3–10 | City Center Park, Lindon
The Lindon City Days are full of excitement!  Visit the festival and enjoy the activities!

Alpine Days 
August 3–10 | Creekside Park, Alpine
In the spring of 1947, Alpine Days began because there was a need: the local church required shingles. Community leaders brainstormed ideas to raise funds and decided on an event with a bazaar, a miniature parade, meals, contests, games and entertainment. The tradition continues today.

Bluffdale Old West Days 
August 6–10 | Bluffdale City Park, Bluffdale
Where kids can be kids, cowboys are cowboys, and everyone gets in on the fun!

Hurricane Peach Days 
August 29–31 | Hurricane City Community Center, Hurricane
We are excited for another year of displays, contests, parade, rodeo, pioneer displays, vendor and food booths, and the best “continpeachuous” entertainment.

Midway Swiss Days 
August 30–31 | Town Square, Midway
For more that 75 years, Swiss Days, sponsored by the Midway Boosters organization features an outdoor craft fair, with local and national vendors, crafting and creating their wares. Volunteers spend countless hours preparing for the two full days to ensure the event is a success, including Swiss and German food booths. There is the traditional parade, which starts at 10 a.m. (on Saturday), and live musical entertainment throughout each day.

Payson Golden Onion Days 
August 30–September 2 | Payson Memorial Park, Payson
This annual celebration was first held in 1929 as an opportunity for residents and former residents to renew old friendships and make new ones. Originally known as the Onion Harvest and Homecoming, the event honored Payson’s status as an agricultural district and outstanding producer of onions. The celebration was later renamed Payson City Golden Onion Days, and that is the name that remains to this day. Golden Onion Days is typically held each year on Labor Day weekend and includes events such as concerts, carnival, baby contest, car show, 5K and 10K races, parade, fireworks, food and merchandise vendors.

Brigham City Peach Days 
September 4–7 | Various venues, Brigham City
Peach Days is a time when the community comes together to celebrate the bountiful harvest of peaches, a fruit that has become synonymous with Brigham City. This festival offers a wide array of activities and attractions for all ages, making it a fantastic family-friendly event. From parades and live entertainment to delicious food and carnival rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during Peach Days.

Green River Melon Days
September 20–21 | Main Street, Green River
Green River Utah’s annual Melon Days Festival, now 118 years old, is a celebration of our town’s famous tasty melon varieties and their growers. Our rural town’s population swells as locals, family, friends and visitors come together for a weekend of melon-munching fun.

Santa Clara Swiss Days 
September 26–28 | Canyon View Park, Santa Clara

Sandy Heritage Festival 
September 28 at 10 a.m. | Main Street Park, Sandy
Mosey on down to Historic Sandy District and get transported to another era in time. Last year in 2023, we had over 80 horses (and even a sheep companion) in our stunning horse parade down the streets of Historic Sandy! The parade starts at 10:00 AM, so plan to arrive early. See the map below for the detailed parade route. Then head on over to Main Street Park for food, vendors, music, bounce houses, face painting and more!

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