A Helluva Way to Run a DesertUtah is emerging from one of the strangest springs in memory and settling into a summer full of opportunity for outstanding travel and recreation. People are still snow skiing at Snowbird. The resort refuses to quit. Capitalizing on massive mountain snowpack, Snowbird intends to stay open for weekend skiing until the Fourth of July. This was by far our best ski season ever and people are already excited about next fall. Already booking trips... 
Strange green stuff is growing everywhere in our southern deserts. Plants! Flowers! Wildflowers all over the place. The cactus blossoms are incredible right now. Southern Utah has never been so green. This is a beautiful time to explore our national parks and other playgrounds. Snowmelt and rainstorms have filled our streams to overflowing, causing flood damage and mudslides in a few spots. And filling most of our reservoirs to capacity! Last year we worried about lingering drought. Now we’re soggy. Runoff has now peaked and stream flows are settling back to normal; boating and fishing conditions are great this year. "This is a helluva way to run a desert," as a former Utah governor once said. National parks, whitewater rafting, houseboating on Lake Powell, hiking, biking, camping — conditions are prime right now for outdoor adventure. Items of Special Interest The Yarrow Resort in Park City is offering Summer Getaway Packages start at $79, including breakfast for two, and Fall Meeting Packages starting at $69.00 with a minimum of 10 rooms. Several major Utah festivals and events will take place during the next few weeks. Glance through the list below and something is sure to catch your interest.Broadway in the Desert, Tuacahn, St George area, June 8-Sep 3. This year, Tuacahn is celebrating it's 10 year anniversary with two steller productions: Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. These will be performed in Tuacahn's outdoor amphitheatre at the base of 1500 foot red rock cliffs. 800-746-9882. Utah Summer Games, June 10-26, Cedar City. The Utah Summer Games is an Olympic-style sports festival for athletes of all ages and abilities open to residents of the state of Utah. For the past 19 years the Utah Summer Games has conducted this event in Cedar City, with an average total of 7,000 participants, 50 thousand spectators and 1,000 volunteers. 435-865-8421. Utah's Free Fishing Day, June 11, Statewide. No License required, however all other rules are still in force. Contact wildlife.utah.gov for a copy of the proclamation. 801-538-4737. Park City Marathon, June 11. This scenic marathon course loops around and into Park City, Utah, with over 13 miles of trails, through mountain meadows, past rushing streams, ranches, miners' cabins and ski resorts. Elevation ranges from 6,375 to 7,041 feet. 435-772-3264. Outlaw Trail Ride: Wild Bunch Camp, June 16-19, Vernal. Four-day horse ride beginning at Little Donkey Flat near Red Fleet State Park. Spectacular ride, beautiful scenery, history, entertainment, and great food. Reservations required. 866-658-7433. Mormon Miracle Pageant, Manti, June 16-25. This pageant honors the pioneer heritage of this area. Held under a canopy of stars at the foot of the magnificent Manti Temple. 14,000 chairs are provided for seating of the general public. Personal chairs may be set up outside the seating area but are not permitted on the temple grounds. 435-283-8018. Antelope by Moonlight Bike Ride, June 17, Syracuse. This is a fun, non-competitive ride for the whole family. Ride Antelope Island AT NIGHT! Lots of prizes. Registration includes park entry, collector t-shirt and refreshments. Limit 800 riders. 801-451-3286. Sundance Children's Festival, June 18, Provo. A celebration of children's literature, art, food, and entertainment including a magic show, children's Shakespeare performance and story telling. Pony rides, face painting, lift rides, food and craft items will be available for purchase. General admission to the festival and all stage entertainment is free. 801-223-4071. Park City Cycling Fest '05 USCF National Championships, June 20-July 2. Park City will host this national championship competition for all age categories throughout Park City and the surrounding area. 801-699-5126. Utah Shakespearean Festival, June 23-Sep 3, Cedar City. Great theatre, a fun atmosphere, and cool mountain temperatures await you at the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival. Each June through October nine productions, from Shakespeare to modern theatre classics, are presented in three theatres. The Greenshow helps recreate a Shakespearean atmosphere with storytelling, song, and dance. 435-586-1968. American Indian Art Show, June 27-July 28, Vernal. Paintings, pen and ink drawings, watercolors, and beadwork from American Indian artists. 435-789-7399. 37th Annual Ute Indian Tribe Pow-Wow, June 30-July 3, Fort Duchesne. Uintah and Ouray Pow-wow welcomes all singers and dancers. Come for the contests, games, rodeo, parade and the Buffalo Feast sponsored by the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee. 435-545-2156 or 435-722-4879. Independence Day Celebrations, July 4. Parades, pancake breakfasts, fireworks and other activities will be held statewide. Virtually every sponsors activities and visitors are welcome to participate. Sundance Institute Outdoor Film Festival, July 6-Aug 22, Sundance Resort. The 2005 Sundance Institute Outdoor Film Festival presents outdoor screenings of films from the Sundance Film Festival archives throughout the months of July and August. The festival is an opportunity for movie-goers to view great independent films they may have missed at previous Sundance Film Festivals. 801-328-3456 Llama Fest, July 16, Spanish Fork. Llamas from all over Utah compete on the obstacle course, in show ring, and in races. Live music and dance from Bill Lowe, Los Hermanos de los Andes, Alborada, Latin Dance Heritage, and Catherine Warner. South American style food and crafts. 801 798-3559/787-1510 |
