Category Archives: Utah State Fair

2017 Utah State Fair a Success!

Utah_State_Fairgrounds_entranceThe 2017 Utah State Fair is expected to break another record for attendance, a record broken just the year prior. This year’s success can largely be attributed to the additions of the circus and the new Days of ’47 Stadium, which allowed for more large-scale events. This latter trend will continue throughout the year, as the Fairpark is planning upwards of 30 stadium events through 2018. Stay tuned to what’s in the works by checking www.utahstatefairpark.com (and keep an eye out for the more informative, user-friendly website design).

pumpkinnightsThe Fairpark is excited to announce Pumpkin Nights October 13-29. Pumpkin Nights is a family-friendly, immersive Halloween experience (that highly encourages costumes). SLC is one of 3 cities they chose to host the festival this year, so it’s a pretty big deal for our community. Tour 4,000 carved pumpkins, carve your own, watch Halloween movies, get lost in a hay-bale maze and complete a site-wide scavenger hunt. Visit www.pumpkinnights.com/slc/ for more details. Click on the image for a full size map to illustrate what’s in store for you at Pumpkin Nights.

Utah State Fairpark Brings the Heat (and the BBQ) for Summer

The Utah State Fairpark and the Fairpark Community Council are very excited to announce that “Best of Utah” BBQ winner, Pat’s BBQ, is opening a location directly on the fairgrounds! Pat’s has also been featured on Food Network’s
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! This location is currently renovating what is now known as the food court, and will be open regular hours starting July 12, 2017.pats

Pat Barber, the owner, is thrilled about this new space. He is looking forward to getting to know his new neighbors, incorporating what this incredible community has to offer, and taking advantage of the amazing space and opportunities available at the fairgrounds. He hopes to create a lively and thriving gathering place for the neighborhood and the state by offering frequent live music and many special planned
events (and possible expansion!). Keep your eyes peeled on their website to see what’s in the works at www.patsbbq.com.
Or, Pat would love it if you just asked him! Access to this new location is a breeze, as you will be able to drive right into the Utah State Fairpark and park directly
next to the building. So please stop by and give our new neighbor a hearty welcome this summer while enjoying the best BBQ in the city, live blues music and sunshine, or the covered patio! Pat and his crew can’t wait to meet you. This location is also hiring for all staff positions. If interested, please visit their website (listed above) and give them a call.

In addition to welcoming Pat’s BBQ as a permanent resident to the fairgrounds, the Utah State Fairpark has some awesome events planned for summer 2017. For additional details about events listed, please visit the accompanying
websites.

July 1 – Bubble Run: http://bubblerun.com
July 13-16 – BMW MOA International Rally (set up starts the7th): http://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rally2017
July 19: Grand opening of new the arena with special performances planned. Reserved seats only, and seats are still available: http://www.daysof47.com
July 19-24 – Days of ’47. Frontier Zone open every day from
noon until 10pm, and open 11am on weekends and the holiday. Rodeo starts at 8pm every night except Sundays. Visit their website for full details and of additional events: http:// www.daysof47.com/#events
August: Two separate musical acts planned to perform in the
new arena this month. Stay tuned for more details!
September 7-17 – Utah State Fair
The Utah State Fairpark also wishes to announce that UTA will no longer be using a lot on the fairgrounds for parking purposes. For news and updates
on the Utah State Fairpark, visit http://www.utahstatefairpark.com.

The Utah State Fair: Perspectives on a United Community Tradition

The state fair is an annual event that brings our community together with the rest of the state – rural and urban folk alike. This year’s State Fair had something for everyone with the many exhibits,events and fun that brought out kids of all ages.

  IMG_9473 IMG_9514  Little Hands on the Farm, The Fishing Pond, 4-H Exhibits, an old-fashioned, under-the-big-top circus, comedians (who were also entertaining hip-hop dancers), cooking demonstrations, art exhibits, photography exhibits, creative arts exhibits (including some clever sculptures made from soda pop cans), demolition derby, carnival rides and a wide variety of food options.

The Fair means different things to many people in the Fairpark community. Perspectives from two Fairpark residents are offered here.

“Does no one else see the Fairgrounds as I see them? Beautiful in their humble but strong malleability.  I love the flexibility of these spaces and their untethered usefulness,” says Ann Pineda, Fairpark resident and artist. “At the Fairgrounds, hundreds of skills are showcased each year.  The work I showcase , only one of those skill-sets, has become a request for these beautiful spaces to be appreciated and in a way that is consistent with the history of this place.”

“I’ve discovered that fair food is a big draw for me,” states Brook Bernier, community resident.  “I have visions of Navajo Bread with melted butter and powdered sugar for weeks coming up to the opening day.  Something about Fair food – it just brings back so many good memories. I know exactly where the Navajo Bread pop-up is located at the Fair. I go there first, then I walk about 30 feet and get a super sweet corn cob, and turn around, walk over to Leatherby’s and get a big ice cream cone. I was short on time this year, so I made sure to fit in all my food priorities first. I rode my bike to the fair, which is also pretty awesome, so there was less guilt associated with eating all of that high-calorie food in a matter of minutes.”

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