Summertime Events Throughout The Valley

By Alexandra Frisch

There’s no time like summertime to take a road trip through the inspiring Utah landscape. So hop in your car, take a drive and ready yourself for a great day of adventure.

Just a short drive away are endless combinations of spectacular sights, delightful entertainment and exhilarating exploration to be enjoyed in nearby communities. These nearby destinations offer special events, outdoor adventures and family- friendly fun throughout the summer and fall. Spend a day on the water fishing, swimming or boating. Or get moving and go hiking, biking, golfing or horseback riding—with the outdoors calling, there are many options. 286

In addition to the plethora of everyday activities for summertime fun, many traditional festivities are held throughout the valley. Catch some of these classic Western events and enjoy the best of local talent, tradition and down-home fun.

The Heber Valley is packed with recreational resources and is rich with vast open space. Explore the gorgeous landscapes and land formations within the 2.1 million acres of the Uinta-Wasatch- Cache National Forest, or rent a boat for sailing on the Jordanelle Reservoir, which features a full- service marina. While you’re in Heber City, be sure to check out the ever-popular Wasatch County Fair, featuring events for the whole family. Highlights include the popular rodeo, the loud and exciting demolition derby, battle of the bands, and Fair Days BBQ.

[boxparagraph]5/4-8/10 Sundance Art Workshops | Sundance Resort 7/24-8/16 M,TH,F,SA Sundance Summer Theater | Sundance Resort 7/28-8/2 Wasatch County Fair | Heber City 8/2-8/9 Coalville Summit County Fair 8/29-8/30 Midway Swiss Days | Midway 8/29-9/17 Soldier Hollow Classic: Sheepdog Championship | Midway 10/27-10/31 Heber Valley Railroad Pumpkin Festival | Heber City Blue Sky Ranch Cowboy for a Day | Wanship Call for Booking Dates and Details: 435-336-2646 [/boxparagraph]

Come Fall, climb aboard the Heber Valley Railroad’s authentic heritage train and take a 45-minute family-friendly haunted ride. Be entertained by mummies, witches, even Dracula! At the train depot, brave souls can enter the haunted train car, get lost in the Misty Maze or get a Halloween tattoo. At the end of the trip, visitors have an opportunity to select and take home a pumpkin from the train’s pumpkin patch, a memento of the wonderful time had on the rails.

Located within the heart of the Heber Valley, Zermatt Resort and Homestead Resort each offer a great array of summertime activities for every taste and style. Try a putt on the miniature golf course, a dip in the mineral-rich geothermal spring “The Crater”, or a round of golf at the award-winning Crater Springs Golf Course. Or spend the day relaxing at the spa.

287Travelers from Switzerland were drawn to the Heber Valley, and it’s easy to see why. With mountains reminiscent of the original landscape, early settlers must have felt very much at home. To commemorate its Alpine heritage, Midway hosts the annual Swiss Day’s celebration featuring all things Swiss (including lots of chocolate). During Labor Day weekend, head over to Midway for the 12th annual Soldier Hollow Classic where you’ll see 64 of the world’s top border collies compete in an open hillside sheepdog trial for the coveted gold medal. In addition to the sheepdog trial championship, the event features a host of activities, competitions, and performances that will keep your family entertained for the whole day.

The captivating tranquility, stunning natural scenery and tasteful excellence in accommodations make Sundance dynamically unique. Spend a day lounging in its vast beauty while enjoying talented musicians, wonderful films or sparking your creativity at one of the daily summer art workshops. This summer, Fiddler On The Roof will appear against the backdrop of Mt. Timpanogos at the Sundance Outdoor Amphitheatre. Performances will be held at 8:00 pm each Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from July 24 – August 16. Coalville is a town of rich pioneer history. A small community that was originally settled to grow and harvest wheat, Coalville is surrounded by the illustrious old-time beauty of Utah. Take a break from the everyday and slip back into a rustic Western township whose motto is “having a good time since 1909.” The Summit County Fair features cowboy competitions at the town’s famous rodeo grounds with carnival fun, a parade, contests, games and displays.

[boxparagraph] Heber Valley Visitor’s Center | gohebervalley.com Wasatch County Fair | co.wasatch.ut.us/fair Heber Valley Railroad | hebervalleyrr.org The Soldier Hollow Classic | soldierhollowclassic.com Coalville | coalvillecity.org Midway Swiss Days | midwayswissdays.com Sundance Resort | sundanceresort.com Kamas Fiesta Days | kamascity.net Blue Sky Ranch | bluesky-adventures.com [/boxparagraph]

Kamas has long been known as the “Gateway to the Uintas” and serves as a supply station for travelers passing through the Uinta Mountains and wilderness area for camping, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and other recreation. A tradition for over 70 years, the town’s Fiesta Days boasts such activities as the famous demolition derby, bull wars, professional rodeo, Kids Night, Melodrama, booths, Dutch oven cook-off, queen pageants, and much more! There’s fun to be found for all ages.

From horseback-riding to fly fishing, casual lounging to rock climbing, the town of Wanship has summer activities for everyone in the family. This picturesque town is home to Blue Sky Ranch and Blue Sky Adventures, a professional recreational- guide service company that provides its guests with memories that will last a lifetime. Their Cowboy for a Day program invites visitors to get a feel for cowboy life (attendees must be 18 or older to participate). Blue Sky will supply the horses and gear, food and drink. Just bring your cowboy hat and boots, jeans, and long- sleeved shirt and prepare to be immersed in an authentic cowboy experience. Whether you prefer to spend your time outside or indoors, the Heber Valley offers enough options to keep you as active as you want to be!

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