Park City Summers: the Livin’ is Easy

Park City’s reputation as a destination for globetrotters might have roots in winter sports and January’s Sundance Film Festival, but Park City summers can be even more entertaining and family-friendly. The warm days and cool nights have cultivated a robust roster of events from June through August.

A hallmark of Park City summers is the onset of the Farmers Market at Canyons Resort. Held every Wednesday from noon until 6pm in the resort’s Cabriolet parking lot, the market runs through Oct. 28 and includes everything from bread and butchers, to jewelry, flowers, honey and ubiquitous locally grown produce. The event is managed by Volker Ritzinger of Volker’s Bakery, so go ahead and indulge in some carbo-loading before heading out on the mountain bike trails. More information about vendors and sponsors can be found at the market’s website.

One of Park City’s newer events has quickly grown to become something that both locals and visitors look forward to beginning each year- the Park Silly Sunday Market. It is held weekly on Main Street from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Sept. 20 (excluding Aug. 2 & 9). The market turns the lower end of the thoroughfare into a zero-waste, family-friendly street festival and open-air market. Vendors sell everything from clothing and jewelry, to food and hula-hoops. Adults can enjoy an impressive Bloody Mary/libations area, while live performers entertain the masses. The event is free, and parking can be tight, so take the bus or ride your bike and take advantage of Cole Sport’s no-cost bike valet on 9th Avenue. For weekly happenings, visit the Park Silly website.

On Saturday, June 13, Park City Library is holding their Grand Opening, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon followed by kids’ activities, self-guided tours, and films from the Park City Film Series and Sundance. The day starts with the Book Brigade, which involves a human chain transferring books, one-by-one, from the temporary location at Miner’s Hospital back to the renovated location at 1255 Park Avenue. To learn more, or to sign up as a volunteer for the day, visit the Park City Library website.

On Saturday, June 20, the Park City Area Restaurant Association closes down Main Street to create the biggest outdoor dinner party you’ve ever seen! The annual Savor the Summit is an open-air community event, with local restaurants showing off their mad skills at a communal table, while live music entertains both diners and those who just come out to witness the spectacle. Diners must make reservations directly with the specific restaurant they choose to join, and some have already sold out, so be sure to visit the Savor the Summit website soon if you’re hoping to attend.

July 1st marks the 80th anniversary of the celebrated Oakley Rodeo, which runs four days from July 1-4, culminating in an Independence Day celebration worthy of a Norman Rockwell portrait. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo is held nightly at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks. Their July 4th festivities begin at 7 a.m. with a 5K race, followed by a parade on Center Street at 10 a.m., then a Patriotic Program and barbecue at the Red Barn (Oakley Recreation Complex), leading into the Jr. Rodeo and kids activities at 1 p.m. Tickets go fast, so visit the City of Oakley website to buy some before they run out.

Few events are more highly anticipated (and participated in) by Parkites than the 4th of July festivities. Park City truly becomes “Small Town, USA” on Independence Day, and this year is no exception. But locals know the fun really begins the day before at Canyons Resort during their annual July 3rd celebration. This year’s event starts at 3 p.m. with a magician, crafts, photo booth and cowboy tricks by Hired Guns. At 3:30 p.m., a DJ kicks the party into high gear, while at 5 p.m. a mechanical bull tries to buck its riders, and finally The Soulistics take the Main Stage at 6 p.m. The full schedule is as follows, with more information available at CanyonsResort.com:

• 3 – 5 p.m. — Magician, Resort Village
• 3 – 5 p.m. — Crafts, Village Stage
• 3 – 5 p.m. — Photo Booth, Village Stage
• 3 – 6 p.m. — Hired Guns, Resort Village
• 3:30 – 6 p.m. — DJ, Umbrella Bar or Mountain Stage
• 3:30 – 7 p.m. — Face Painting, Resort Village
• 5 – 7:30 p.m. — Mechanical Bull, Forum
• 6 – 8:30 p.m. — The Soulistics, Mountain Stage

On Saturday, July 4th, one of Park City’s most iconic traditions, pancakes in City Park, heralds the day-long celebration at 7 a.m., followed by the 5K Fun Run, after which City Park opens for business at 10 a.m. for rugby, live music, and a BBQ. If you’re hoping to get a good look at the 70+ parade floats, however, you’ll need to claim a spot on the curb along either Main Street or Park Avenue. Note: the floats turn into City Park at the Miner’s Hospital, so don’t place yourself anywhere past that point, or you’ll miss the parade. The day culminates in fireworks over Park City Mountain Resort, with KPCW broadcasting musical accompaniment. The full schedule is as follows:

• 7 a.m. — Pancake Breakfast at City Park
• 8 a.m. — Park City Ski Team 5k Fun Run. Call Cole Sport at 435-649-4806 for more information
• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Rugby games, live music, BBQ at the north end of City Park
• 11 a.m. — Famous 4th of July Parade
• 12 – 4 p.m. — Food, live music, beer garden, vendors in City Park
• 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. — Beer garden, BBQ and free live music by the George T Gregory Band at Park City Mountain Resort*
• Dusk — Fireworks at Park City Mountain Resort

*(Note: No outside alcohol allowed into concert venue)

July 4th is also marks the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera’s “Patriotic Pops with Bravo Broadway” performance at Deer Valley Resort’s Snow Park Amphitheatre, while the Egyptian Theatre begins a three-week run of the legendary musical “West Side Story.”

The annual Park City Food and Wine Classic runs July 8-12, featuring a variety of experiences on the mountain, in restaurants, classrooms and around town. With sessions featuring such kitschy titles as “Vino & Vinyasa,” “Fat Tires & Phat Wines,” and “Better Off Red Luncheon,” it’s sure to be a blast. Proceeds benefit the local People’s Health Clinic.

Another long-standing outdoor tradition during Park City summers begins on Friday, July 31, as the Park City Kimball Arts Festival transforms Main Street into a fine art fair through Sunday, August 2. On Friday, Summit County residents are free, while adults can purchase a weekend pass for $10 (kids 6-17 are $5, with ages 5 and under free). Sculptors, jewelers, potters and painters mix with a variety of other media to create an event rounded out by kids’ activities, music and food. For more information on this year’s event, or to find out “How to Fest,” visit the event website.

Even more activities abound during August. You can check them out by visiting the Park City Chamber Bureau’s extensive Calendar of Events. While Park City’s schedule has become chock-a-block throughout the year, it’s one of the many reasons visitors travel to Park City, and why so many of them ultimately decide to put down roots, with the help of professional Realtors leading the way.