Wednesday, May 30, 2012

REVIEW: Paranormal Investigation with Grimm Ghost Tours


Old hospital beds
Our "field experts", Chad and Jen, got to attend a paranormal ghost tour with Grimm Ghost Tours. Here's what Chad had to say about their experience:


"Jen Pfeifer and I got to go on a paranormal investigation with Grimm Ghost Tours to Asylum 49 on May 25th.  It was a very unique and interesting experience.  It was our first investigation but will not be our last. 
           
An unexplained xray found in the basement
            Grimm GhostTours did a great job putting together the investigation.  We met with the group just before 8 p.m. and the owner of the building took us on a tour of the building before the sun went down to make sure we knew the layout of the building so nobody got lost.  He also told us stories about hot spots in the building and what to look for.  When the tour from the owner was over, everyone went back to the main room and GrimmGhost Tours took over. 

            Grimm GhostTours employees explained that we would be looking for evidence of different energies and to try to disprove anything that you see just to make sure it is real.  They strongly encouraged taking many pictures and to take many in a row.  If anything was going to manifest itself to us, that is one of the best ways to get evidence.  The guides let us split up into any size group we wanted.  We decided to go in the largest group because I did not want to have a paranormal experience by myself.

A dark hallway where shadow-men are
frequently caught on camera
           Some of the tools the guides had that they shared with us were a ghost box, pendulum, and some handheld monitors that picked up changes in the electricity and magnetism in the room.  As the night went on I started feeling much more comfortable with the unexplainable experiences we were having, so we broke away from the large group and went with three other people on our own.  As we went from room to room we had many more amazing things happen to us that would make anyone that doubts the existence of ghosts admit that some other energy was in that building with us that night. 

An old surgical table
            I would like to thank Grimm Ghost Tours for this experience, and I would strongly recommend that everybody go on a paranormal investigation with Grimm GhostTours.  The way they help you experience the paranormal is amazing.  I have had a strong fear of ghosts my entire life; now I have faced that fear and am excited for my next experience.  I do not think I will go off on my own like some people in the investigation did, but I at least I will have more curiosity than fear next time." 

About Grimm Ghost Tours:

Enjoy Utah received two complimentary passes to the Asylum 49 Grimm Ghost Tours Paranormal Investigation, but the opinions expressed in this review are solely the views and opinions of the writer, and we were not compensated to write any specific point of view.

Great Colleges in Utah


Great Colleges in Utah

There are a number of postsecondary institutions located across the state of Utah, including research universities, community colleges, and technical colleges. Utah residents may also be interested in this informational site for online universities. If you are interested in more information about the best Utah colleges, read on.
  • The University of Utah –The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The “U.S. News and World Report” ranks the University of Utah's programs in the top 100 programs of their type. Some of these programs include the nursing program, Master of Business Administration (MBA), law college, social work, clinical psychology, biology, English, civil engineering, and political science. The University of Utah offers more than 80 different undergraduate degrees. Some of the different options for majors are accounting, ballet, computer science, elementary education, exercise and sports science, film and media arts, health promotion and education, and marketing. The school also offers undergraduate certificates in areas like alcohol/drug abuse treatment, criminology and corrections, international relations, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
  • Utah State University Utah State University has been ranked the top university in the West for lowest tuition by “Forbes’” list of Best College Buys in 2011. The university is involved in NCAA Division I athletics as has received accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school offers more than 150 different undergraduate degrees, with specializations in areas like automotive technology, business administration, cosmetology, journalism, liberal arts, practical nursing, social work, and special education. Utah State University has a number of graduate degrees, including Master of Art, Master of Science, MBAs, Master of Education, Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree programs. Finally, Utah State University offers more than 70 distance education programs such as Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education, B.S. in Family Life Studies, B.S. in Psychology, associate degree in general studies, master’s degree of rehabilitation counseling, M.S. in English-Technical Writing, master of engineering degree, and master of natural resources degree.
  • South Utah University South Utah University is located in Cedar City, Utah, and is accredited by the NWCCU. Many of their programs also have subject-related accreditation. The school offers a wide range of academic majors in departments including accounting, communication, art and design, physical science, computer science and information systems, education, political science and criminal justice, theater arts and dance, economics and finance, engineering technology and construction management, English, foreign language and humanities, and agriculture and nutrition science. The graduate degrees offered are Master of Accountancy, Master of Arts in Professional Communication, MBA, Graduate Studies in Education, Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration, Master of Public Administration, M.S. in Forensic Science, M.S. in Sports Conditioning and Performance, and M.S.W.
  • Dixie State College of Utah Dixie State College of Utah is located in State George, Utah. The school is accredited by the NWCCU. Dixie State College of Utah has a wide range of athletic programs, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, football, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. The college has a number of different academic schools and departments. The fine arts division includes music, art, dance, and theater, while the humanities department includes English, psychology and criminal justice. The School of Education offers programs in developmental studies, education, family and computer science, and integrated studies. The Dixie State College of Utah includes the Udvar-Hazy School of Business, and offers courses in automotive and technology, biology, computer and information technology, mathematics, and physical science. Dixie State College of Utah also has a large school of nursing and allied health, which includes programs like certified nursing assistant, dental hygiene, emergency medical services, medical laboratory sciences, nursing, phlebotomy, physical therapy assistant, and respiratory therapy.
  • Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) boasts low tuition rates, flexible locations, small class sizes, and easily transferable credits. The school is accredited by the NWCCU. SLCC offers continuing education as well as academic programs. Continuing education options include computer workshops, professional development, digital media, electrics, green academy, health and wellness, information studies, and transition to teaching. Academic areas of study include American sign language, aviation technology, barbering and cosmetology, business management, carpentry, dental office assistant, education, fashion, and genealogy. Online courses are also available.
  • Utah College of Applied Technology The Utah College of Applied Technology offers affordable tuition, flexible schedules, hands-on and employer training. Programs are offered in the service, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, construction, business, information technology, and oil and gas industries. Some of the available programs are culinary arts, cosmetology, fashion merchandising, firefighter, interior design, paralegal, police academy, real estate, veterinary assistant, electronics, welding technology, automotive technology, small engine repair, medical billing and coding, practical nurse, carpentry, plumbing assistant, small business management, managing bookkeeper, e-commerce, Web and graphic design, and energy technology.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Utah's Free Fishing Day Events



Free fishing day this year is this Saturday, June 2nd 2012. Below are some fun events you can participate in:

Community Fisheries
A list of all the community fisheries in Utah. 

Fish n Fun at Sand Hollow State Park
A fishing event for handicap kids and their families. No admission fee. 

Fishing Ponds in St George
Grandpa's Pond, as well as other ponds, hold fun events on free fishing day. Contact individual ponds for complete information.

Utah Lake Festival
A FREE event with free food, games and fun for all ages! 

Wasatch Mountain State Park
Located by Midway, enjoy a day of free fishing for all ages at the Wasatch Mountain State Park visitor's center pond.

MORE FREE FISHING FUN!
Find another list of great fishing day activities HERE.

Music in the Mountains: Utah's Spectacular Concert Venues



By Allison Ulrich, Wumpsee.com

Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Utah has become a favorite place for performers and concertgoers alike. The state truly offers something for every person’s taste in concerts and shows, from beautiful outdoor backdrops, to gorgeous indoor venues worthy of the world’s finest symphonies. Wumpsee.com has compiled its top seven venues to attend any type of concert.

Red Butte Gardens – It doesn’t get lovelier than a concert at Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City. While offering a lineup of quality and diverse talent throughout its concert series, the setting in the foothills of the mountains, near the University of Utah, is simply breathtaking. Red Butte’s concert series has gained popularity, which has allowed it to bring in more popular artists. There are perks for becoming a member, such as advance ticket purchases.

There is much to enjoy before and during the concert. General seating is the call, so you have to get there early and wait in line to enter. But, making the most of it, fans turn it into a bit of tailgating fun. Once you are in the gates, take a stroll around the wonderful gardens, feed the ducks and bring a picnic to enjoy during the show (though they have food for sale).

According to Curt Barnett, “The crowd is full of fun people there to have a good time and you can make friends with whoever is sitting next to you.”

Tuacahn – For our friends in Southern Utah or those longing for an excursion, Tuacahn is a beautiful venue to visit. Set in the heart of Ivins, Utah (St. George’s next door neighbor), and nestled in an amazing red rock canyon, the backdrop of the theater is worth the trip.

“Those beautiful canyon walls seem to help amplify the sound. Gorgeous place.” says St. George resident Curtis Graff.

Tuacahn officials host wonderful plays throughout their season. They also entertain with excellent music and comedy concerts. Utah favorite Brian Regan will perform for three nights in May.

So, when visiting Southern Utah, get a great, scenic hike in and then head to one of Tuacahn’s outstanding shows.

Abravanel Hall – Home to the incredible Utah Symphony, the beauty and ambiance of this venue are stunning, and the acoustics are spectacular. As you enter you are greeted by an amazing Chihuly sculpture from the 2002 Olympic Games, and exquisite cascading staircases. The ceiling in the hall has dazzling chandeliers and the gold leafing throughout the facility is beautiful. Located in downtown Salt Lake City, near the new City Creek Center, Abravanel hosts remarkable artists from every genre imaginable. It is an ideal concert setting that is relatively large, but the quality of sound brings it in close.

“Some of my favorite, most intimate concert experiences have been at Abravanel Hall,” says Amy Barnett of Wumpsee.com

Kilby Court -This venue is as intimate as it gets, allowing you to stand face to face with the artists. Kilby Court is small, but the price is always right. Most tickets cost about $10. The unusual setting, in an old, converted garage at the end of an alley, makes you feel like you are at a friend’s house for a party and they just happen to know some talented musicians. Generally you will experience indie bands. But you may just catch a cheap concert from the next big thing; they all get started somewhere. Before you attend a concert here, keep your expectations in check; this is barebones entertainment with few amenities. Go to Kilby Court for the “experience.”

Sandy Amphitheater – Perched on a hill in Sandy, this amphitheater has gained popularity over the years and has become a wonderful place to attend concerts, theater, family events and more. There is excellent seating whether you choose to pay extra for assigned seats or go economy on the grass. The bonus of sitting on top of the hill, besides the great price, is catching a glimpse of one of Utah’s incredible sunsets. While food is available for purchase, you are also welcome to bring a picnic.

It’s another incredible outdoor venue where you can mingle with your neighbors, meet new people and enjoy a great Utah event.

Deer Valley – When the ski season ends, things don’t stop at Deer Valley. High atop the majestic mountains of Utah sits a wonderful amphitheater where the Deer Valley Music Festival takes over when the slopes are dry. This is another place where your picnics are welcome and you may kick back on the lawn and enjoy the outdoors. You may watch the symphony, an opera or a slew of world-renowned artists.

Arrive early to get a good seat on the hill. The higher up you are, the more difficult it is to see the stage. And don’t be fooled by the warm weather. It gets chilly when the sun goes down, so be prepared!

For more information about events in Utah, visit www.wumpsee.com.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Pioneer Day Activities 2012



July 24th 1847 is the day Brigham Young declared "This is the right place," and entered the valley with a group of pioneers.

Every year, Utah celebrates with pioneer games, festivals, and other fun activities. Below are some that we have found. Check back often, as we will be adding more and more events as we hear about them.

If you know of one we have missed, please email us at contact@enjoyutah.org.

Perhaps the biggest celebration all year in the state of Utah is the Days of 47 celebration. CLICK HERE to view a schedule of events and how to purchase tickets for specific events.

Salt Lake County
Davis County
Weber County
Box Elder County
Tooele County
Utah County
Washington County
Sanpete County

Utah 4th of July Events 2012


Below is a list of 4th of July celebrations happening in Utah. If you know of one I may have missed, please email me at contact@enjoyutah.org. Thanks!

Check back often.....more to come as I find them! 


LISTEN to 4th of July music HERE.

Salt Lake County
Summit County
Utah County
Davis County
Weber County
Tooele County
Washington/Iron County
Sanpete County
Carbon County

Summer Reading Programs




Summer vacation doesn't have to mean a break from learning. Below are programs in Utah dedicated to encouraging your children to continue reading throughout the summer.

If you know of one we have missed, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org. More will be added as we hear about them, so check back often!

(Thanks One Cheap Chick! Many of these programs came from her list.)

REVIEWS By Enjoy Utah


Here at Enjoy Utah, we love getting out into the community and experiencing what Utah has to offer. Below are organizations and companies that have invited us to check them out and write up a review. 


If your organization or company would like to have Enjoy Utah come out and write a review on your organization, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org

Our Reviews:
Enjoy Utah was offered complimentary passes to experience the above organizations, but the views and opinions expressed are solely the views and opinions of the writer of the review, and we were not persuaded to write any specific review.

Our Coverage of the Annular Eclipse in Kanarraville, UT May 20th 2012



When NASA named Kanarraville, UT, a small town on southern Utah, as the "hot spot" for viewing the annular eclipse on Sunday May 20th 2012, we knew we had to be there. Below is a video of our coverage of the eclipse and the people that surrounded us that made it the "prime viewing spot". 

More on the eclipse that brought the world's attention to Utah:

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Fathers' Day Activities and Events




This year, Fathers' Day is on Sunday June 17th. Below are events for celebrating Fathers' Day or that you can take your dad to Fathers' Day weekend.

If you know of one we have forgot, email us at contact@enjoyutah.org.

Salt Lake County

Utah County

Tooele County

Washington County

Davis County

Saturday, May 26, 2012

2012 Outdoor Summer Concert Series at the Ogden Nature Center



Ogden, UT ––  Outdoor concerts at the Ogden Nature Center combine gorgeous sunsets and an unrivaled outdoor setting with lively, fresh musicians!  Situated on the sprawling back lawn behind the Ogden Nature Center’s rustic Visitor Center, these summer evenings will find you with your toes in the grass, tapping away to music that is newly picked and just now being heard in some of the nation’s top summer music festivals.
 
Bring your family and friends, a picnic dinner, drinks, low-rise chairs or a blanket, and get ready for fabulous summer nights at the Ogden Nature Center. 

Brown Bird
Thursday, June 28 at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pm

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_LMMQqBwjk
 
Hailing from Providence. R.I., Brown Bird is a two person acoustic band that plays original, traditional American music in the best sense possible.  Their most recent album was recorded live to tape in Pawtucket, RI.  "Salt For Salt" is the first album by Brown Bird to capture the intense energy of the duo's live shows, surging in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness.
 
David Lamb and Morgan Eve Swain write simply,  - a tambourine, a bass drum and the cello often the sole accompaniment to Lamb's cracked, wood-smoke voice.  Lamb and Swain work beautifully together, with his banjo providing a backbone to a fiddle break, and her harmonies an echo of the melody.  
 
 
Horse Feathers
Thursday, August 9 at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pm

Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_LMMQqBwjk
 
Horse Feathers’ first album, Words Are Dead, received a Plug Awards nomination for Americana Album of the Year in 2007, and their second,  House With No Home, sold over 12,000 copies, making it one of Kill Rock Stars’ best-selling debut records ever.  The band has spent the last few years touring, and their live shows are characterized by packed houses of silent, attentive crowds listening intently to every note and every empty space.  Their recent collaboration with members of the Oregon Ballet Theatre met with great critical acclaim, and 2012 will bring further touring and multiple summer festivals.
 
Tickets:
$20 for adults
$12 for children (12 and under) 
Tickets may be purchased online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org <http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org> 
By phone at 801-621-7595 
or in person at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden.

Seating is general admission on the lawn.  
Low-rise chairs, picnics, beverages and blankets are all welcome.  
The concert will be held rain or shine and tickets are nonrefundable.  
The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th St., Ogden, Utah

Aron Ralston to Share Inspirational Story in Utah




Ogden, Utah - Aron Ralston, renowned mountain climber behind the 127 Hours fame, will make a Utah appearance during the 2012 Grassroots Outdoor Alliance Show this June. Ralston will share his inspirational story along with a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, June 13 & 14, 2012.

The groundbreaking adventurer will account his experiences as documented in the movie 127 hours and international bestselling book Between a Rock and a Hard Place during a special presentation June 13 at 8 p.m. An autograph session will follow the presentation that evening. On Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. a special screening of the Fox Search Light film, 127 Hours will occur. 

Tickets for Aron Ralston’s June 13 presentation are now available in advance at Peery’s Egyptian Theater or online at www.peerysegyptiantheater.com. Advance pricing is $15 for adults and $10 for students, or at the door $20 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets for the special screening of 127 Hours on June 14 are $5. Seating is limited thus purchasing tickets in advance is strongly recommended. Ticket holders will be entered into nightly opportunity drawings with prizes from outdoor manufacturers such as Suunto and Icebreaker.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). Patagonia has committed to match Grassroots’ contribution of $5,000 to the SUWA if the event sells out.
In 2003, Ralston traveled seven miles into a remote area of Utah’s canyon country. He accidentally dislodged a boulder that crushed and pinned his hand. After six days of entrapment, he freed himself with a cheap multi-tool knife and hiked to a miraculous rescue.

Aron Ralston will present as part of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance 2012 Summer Show, the largest independent outdoor retailer expo in the United States. Independent outdoor retailers, buyers and manufacturers will convene at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center June 12-15, 2012. Their mission is to unite the independent outdoor retailers as a strong voice to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States. This is the second consecutive year Grassroots has hosted their Summer Show in Ogden. Grassroots is the main sponsor of the Aron Ralston event.

For additional information visit www.grassrootsoutdoors.com to purchase tickets visit www.peerysegyptiantheater.com.

June 2012 Activities at the Ogden Nature Center




Wild Wednesday / Endangered in Utah
Wednesday, June 6 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
All ages welcome!
With the help of Des Ta Te the Bald Eagle and Laser the Desert Tortoise, discover what it means to be an endangered species.  Learn what causes animals and plants to become endangered and what you can do to help.  Please meet in the Visitor Center.
 
Wild Wednesday / Wild Autographs
Wednesday, June 13 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
All ages welcome!
Can you walk like a bear?  Are your feet larger than a skunk’s?  Get the answers to these questions while learning how to identify the amazing autographs that animals leave behind.  Please meet in the Visitor Center.
 
Wild Wednesday / Summer Celebration
Wednesday, June 20 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
All ages welcome!
Come celebrate the summer solstice at the Ogden Nature Center.  Find out why some days are longer than others.  With the help of a few live animals, discover how animals and plants, including us, adjust to the long days of summer.  Please meet in the Visitor Center.
 
Wild Wednesday / Owl Tales
Wednesday, June 27 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
All ages welcome!
Are owls really wise? Get the answer to that question and more as we meet three different owls and decode the mysteries that surround these amazing birds.  Please meet in the Visitor Center.
 
FREE Summer Saturdays at the Ogden Nature Center
Saturdays, June 9 through August 18, 9 am – 4 pm
FREE admission for everyone, all day, thanks to Weber County R.A.M.P. funding
Also free nature activities at 10 am and 2 pm every Saturday.
Join an Ogden Nature Center naturalist for a guided nature walk, lesson, animal presentation or craft. Lessons will vary every week.  Check www.ogdennaturecenter.org <http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org>  for details.
 
Sunshine Breakfast to benefit the Ogden Nature Center
Friday, June 22 from 7:45 - 8:45 am
Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden, Utah
Free breakfast! Donations gratefully accepted.
RSVP required by Friday,  June 15 to 801-621-7595.  Space is limited.
Come to the Ogden Nature Center for a sunny, summer breakfast on the back lawn behind the Visitor Center.  Learn more about the Ogden Nature Center and the many programs that bring our community closer to nature.
 
Outdoor Summer Concert featuring Brown Bird
Brown Bird
Thursday, June 28, concert at 7 pm, gates open at 6 pm
Tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children (12 and under)
Purchase tickets online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org or in person at the Ogden Nature Center -- 966 W. 12th St., Ogden.
   The outdoor concerts at the Ogden Nature Center combine gorgeous sunsets and an unrivaled outdoor setting with lively, fresh musicians!  Pack a picnic, bring low-rise chairs or a blanket, and get ready for fabulous summer nights at the Ogden Nature Center. 
   Hailing from Providence. R.I., Brown Bird is a two person acoustic band that plays original, traditional American music in the best sense possible.  Their most recent album was recorded live to tape in Pawtucket, RI.  "Salt For Salt" is the first album by Brown Bird to capture the intense energy of the duo's live shows, surging in waves that often swell into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness. 
   David Lamb and Morgan Eve Swain write simply,  - a tambourine, a bass drum and the cello often the sole accompaniment to Lamb's cracked, wood-smoke voice.  Lamb and Swain work beautifully together, with his banjo providing a backbone to a fiddle break, and her harmonies an echo of the melody. 
 
Summer Camps at the Ogden Nature Center
Camps for age groups ranging from 2-16.  Join in the summer fun and expand your nature knowledge!  Single-day and multi-day adventure camps are available all summer long.  Registration is required.  For more information, pricing, and to register campers, please call 801-621-7595.  Full details and more camps in July and August are all posted online at www.ogdennaturecenter.org
 
June Camps:

Animal Explorers – ages 4-6
June 25 – 29, Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 12 noon
 
Wildlife Detectives – ages 8-10
June 11 – 15,  Mon.-Weds. 8:30 am – 3:30 pm with a sleepover Thurs. from 6 pm to Friday morning at 8 am.
 
X-treme Eco-Expedition – ages 11-14
June 18 – 22, Mon.-Weds. 8:30 am – 3:30 pm with a sleepover Thurs. from 6 pm to Friday morning at 8 am.

Summer In Utah: Required Reading Material To Survive The Next 90 Days


By Allison Ulrich - Wumpsee
Playing horsshoes at the American West Heritage Center
Before you start blowing up the backyard swimming pool and digging through the garage for the bug spray and water weenies, might I suggest you kickstart your summer by adding Wumpsee.com to your favorite bookmarks?   

No, really. Right now.  

It happens every summer. One of your beloved offspring will begin recounting how they haven’t done anything all summer except be forced to read, babysit, mow the lawn ...You fill in the blank. When this happens, let Wumpsee.com do all the work of finding things for your family to do throughout our great state. It is like having your own personal event planner. Say goodbye to summer boredom.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:  

JUNE

June 11:  Dino Day Camps begin 
                (Camps run throughout the summer and offer activities for different ages)

June 17:  Father’s Day—free admission for all dads 
Celebrate the beginning of summer by stepping back into the prehistoric age at the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park located along the beautiful Ogden River Parkway. Your own little monsters will dig the opportunity to hunt with an Utahraptor, play hide and seek with a triceratops, and enjoy lunch with a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The park features more than 100 full-sized creatures, thanks to robotics, artistic detail, and an impressive sound system. 

June 9:  Get Outdoors Day -- Free Entrance into Utah’s National Parks
Utah is not only the Jell-O capital, it is America’s national parks capital. Breathe deeply, pack trail mix and sunscreen, and go have fun. Writing their “What I Did During Summer Vacation” essays will be a breeze for your little thrill seekers when you take advantage of one of the five national parks located in our amazing state. Parks include: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. 

June 15-16:  Chalk Art Festival at the Gateway in Salt Lake City
If you have never experienced this event, hit the pavement and commit. A grand event benefiting the Utah Foster Care Foundation, the Chalk Art Festival features more than 120 artists who transform Salt Lake City’s Rio Grande Street into “Utah’s largest live art gallery.” Breathtaking family-friendly art, live entertainment, and the opportunity to cool off at the Olympic Legacy Fountain are all provided. Come be one of the nearly 20,000 spectators who have grown to love this event each year. 

JULY

July 21:  Pioneer Festival at the American West Heritage Center
Unplug your children and give them some old-fashioned fun at the American West Heritage Center in beautiful Wellsville, Utah. Attractions include: a Shoshone encampment, a mountain man/fur trader camp, pioneer family settlement, and a 1917 farm. No need for the Wii when you have the opportunity to milk cows, learn woodcarving, and learn the way of the mountain man. Celebrations include: living history activities, contests, music, and gun-fighting demonstrations.  

July 14:  Ice Block Day at Hogle Zoo
Nobody wants sweaty, grumpy kids. Come chill out at Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo and enjoy an extraordinarily “cool” tradition. Animals experience a bit of arctic paradise as they enjoy things like food frozen in ice pops and giant 300-pound ice blocks. Animal “ice enrichment” will happen regularly between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ice-themed contests and games will be set up in the Oasis Plaza. Then, go home and have children fold clothes. Call it “laundry enrichment.” Genius.

July 30:  Chocolate Lovers Night at the Utah Botanical Garden
Sure, you can bring the children, but maybe you should set this one aside for yourself. After all, at this point you have made it halfway through the summer while being an educator, taxi driver, referee, and sandwich-making specialist. A local candy maker and the owner Pa’s Chocolates, Shirl Shepherd will demonstrate how to do magical and savory things with chocolate. Oh, and you can make a delectable treat of your own. Like I said, movie night for the kids, chocolate night for mom. You must register for this event.

 July 30 – August 4:  26th Annual Springville World Folkfest  
With gas and airfare prices, shall we say, uncomfortable, cancel the trip abroad and stay closer to home to enjoy what is said to be the “largest festival of folk dance and music in the United States.” More than 300 performers from around the world will bring their culture through music and dancing right into downtown Springville. Don’t forget to sample some of the enticing treats at the international food booths. What a great way to breathe a little culture into a summer of swimming and sleepovers. Does it get any better?
 
AUGUST

August 24 – 25:  Dancing Under the Stars
Orem will host this annual tradition of talented, professional and nationally-recognized dancers and musicians. Relax in the beauty of this outdoor venue while swaying to the music and choreography of jazz, ballroom, hip-hop and more. It’s for every kid who has a dream, and for those of us who are content to be amazed by someone else’s flexibility and rhythm.   

August 11:  View the Perseid Meteor Shower at Bryce Canyon
If you haven’t done much camping this year, consider planning a trip around, oh, I don’t know -- a meteor shower! Come see the orange-glazed beauty of Bryce Canyon while extending your knowledge of astronomy. Get your tent upright, roast those hot dogs and get your brood to the lodge at Bryce Canyon. The show starts at 9 p.m. I will bring a very, very thick sleeping pad to put on top of my own personal air mattress, just so you know.

August 31-September 3:  2012 Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Trial Championship           
Any excuse to take a drive through the alpine meadows and reaching streams of the majestic Heber Valley is justified. The world’s most impressive border collies come to Utah in what has been called “positively the foremost trial in the world.” The event will also have plenty to do for the little ones including the Bow Wow Luau Dog Acrobats, Wild Wonders Animal Show and the high-flying Dock Diving Dogs Championship. Enjoy Scottish music throughout the day and divine food from cultures around the world. But they will not train your children, so don’t ask.   

I should provide a disclaimer that Wumpsee.com cannot guarantee a summer without bickering, quarreling, and biting. Wumpsee.com does not have a laundry service or a dinner delivery program. However, your kids will be so busy doing educational and fun things that they just might forget to fight. That’s my dream anyway.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Memorial Weekend Events



Below are Memorial Weekend events I have found. If you know of one I have forgot, please email me at michelle@enjoyutah.org.

Salt Lake County
Utah County
Davis County
Box Elder County
Wasatch/Summit County

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Utah Lake Festival



Utah Lake Festival 
Saturday June 2, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Utah Lake State Park
4400 West Center Street
Provo, UT 84601-9715

(801) 375-0731

Admission and activities are absolutely FREE.
The festival will offer Wasatch Front residents a chance to get outside and enjoy Utah Lake, experience its many recreational opportunities and offerings and learn about the lake’s ecosystem, native species and the importance of stewardship. There will be activities for everyone. 
  • Free food: hot dogs, popcorn, and water for festival attendees (food also available to purchase)
  • Live music by Sarah Sample 
  • Games and activities for kids
  • Free fishing day: free fishing poles and bait available to use at the Festival that day
  • Boat rides 
  • Sailboat regatta
  • Boat making demonstration
  • Hay rides 
  • Water equipment rentals (kayaks, jet skis, paddle boats, etc…)

There will also be storytelling at the festival!
Funny folktales, family stories, and fishy fabrications.

Have you ever wondered…

Does the Utah Lake monster really exist? What were showboat excursions like back in the day when visitors to Utah Lake would enjoy music and dancing while making their way to Bird Island? Why does the June sucker have such a funny looking mouth?

Find out the answers to these questions - and listen to stories about the history of Utah Lake and its surroundings - as locally renowned storyteller Steffani Raff entertains children and adults alike at the upcoming Utah Lake Festival. Steffani is sure to spark the imaginations of all who listen to her captivating tales - whether they are fact or fiction! 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Annular Eclipse vs Total Eclipse



The solar eclipse we experienced last Sunday was an "Annular Solar Eclipse". What is the difference between an annular eclipse and a total eclipse? 

Reiner Euler, eclipse chaser from Germany, explains:

Eclipse Chasers in Kanarraville, UT


Chad & Jen (Enjoy Utah's field experts), my hubby Russ, Me, and my kiddos


After traveling four hours from home on Sunday May 20th 2012 to view the annular eclipse, you can officially say that we are now "Eclipse Chasers"!


Large open field named as
"Hot Spot" for viewing eclipse

We traveled to the "Eclipse Hot Spot" of Kanarraville, UT for our chance to see the "Ring Of Fire" that occurs in an annular eclipse.

An open field was designated as the prime viewing spot. Not only was our view of the eclipse spectacular from being in the "hot spot", but because of all the knowledgeable and friendly people that surrounded us. We met other "eclipse chasers" that traveled from all over the United States. Some were first time chasers like us, and others had been all over the world viewing eclipses. 

One of our favorite people we met was Reiner Euler, who traveled from Giessen, Germany to the little town of Kanarraville, UT to watch this rare event. 

Reiner Euler from Germany showed us how to
project the eclipse through a pinhole
onto Chad's shirt!

"I have seen two total eclipses, one in Germany and one in Turkey, and one annular eclipse in Madrid," said Euler. "This is the second annular eclipse." 

Not only did Euler have high-tech telescopes, binoculars and cameras, but he also showed us how to use a pinhole projector to view the eclipse. Chad got to have the eclipse broadcast right from his t-shirt!

Euler watched his telescope monitor for the sign of the "first contact" and alerted everybody around him that it had begun. This being our first eclipse, it would not have been the same had we watched from somewhere else!

Monday, May 21, 2012

Venture Outdoors Festival


Picture taken from the Venture Outdoors Festival website
2012 marks the 7th annual Venture Outdoors Festival.  It is on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Canyon Rim Park (3100 South 2900 East).



The Festival officially begins at 3pm - 10pm, however in the morning there are a number of activities going on throughout Millcreek.  

This is a free, family friendly, FUN event!  Last year there were over 7500 people in attendance, 150 vendors and exhibitors, 2 stages with fantastic music and entertainment. For more information please check out www.utahventureout.org

Video from last year (ignore the date.....this year it's on Saturday June 16th 2012)

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Eclipse!


The full eclipse from Kanarraville was awesome! We even met a guy that came from Germany to watch it there! A full writeup about him and the eclipse, including pics and a video, to come on Tuesday! STAY TUNED!

Eclipse Viewing Parties



Tonight is the night! I hope you all have your solar glasses ready, or have made a pinhole projector! It's going to be a really cool thing to see, and I would LOVE to hear your feedback after the fact! 

Email me your photos, stories, kids' reactions, etc. to michelle@enjoyutah.org.

The Salt Lake Tribune and KSL have put together a list of where you can attend an Eclipse Viewing Party.

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