Tag Archives: Past Years’ Press Releases

Juilliard School of Music Returning to Sanpete County

DATE 07/19/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Juilliard School of Music Returning to Sanpete County

The Juilliard School of Music is returning to Sanpete County for the second annual “Juilliard Goes to the Mountains Rhythm Section Workshop.” The special event is being held Aug. 3-5 at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts at Snow College in Ephraim.

Last year, some members of the prestigious music school’s jazz faculty came to Snow College to hold a special rhythm workshop. The event was so successful, they decided to return for a second workshop, and enrollment is already double what it was last year.

The workshop is a collaborative effort between the Juilliard School and the Horne School of Music at Snow College. In addition to the workshop, public concerts will be presented each evening at 8 p.m.

“We are very excited to be able to work with The Juilliard School to bring this event to Utah,” says Vance Larsen, Snow College Dean of Fine Arts.

Students who took part in the workshop last year called it a “life-changing event.” Participants have the opportunity to dramatically improve their talent by intensely focusing on the key issues of the jazz rhythm section. The workshop also prepare students for a future in music by teaching them essential skills and giving them the opportunity to meet people that have already succeeded in the music business. People interested in participating in the workshop must submit a recording to be considered for acceptance.

“This event, and the Juilliard faculty’s visits to our campus during the academic year, provides Snow College and area students with a world-class educational opportunity,” Larsen says. “Area residents should take advantage of this opportunity to attend these concerts.”

All concerts are being held in the Jorgensen Concert Hall, a 700-seat venue located in the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts at Snow College, and begin at 8 p.m.

The concert schedule is:

  • Thursday, Aug. 3

    Snow College Faculty Jazz Quintet and The Juilliard Jazz Trio

    This is the premier concert of the Snow College Faculty Jazz Quintet, which features faculty members Scott Wilson, Trumpet/EVI; Greg Floor, Saxophone; Rich Dixon, Guitar; Jay Lawrence, Drums; Denson Angulo, Bass. The group is led by Scott Wilson, Snow College’s director of jazz studies and founder of the online Jazz Education Store, and Angulo and Floor are new to the Snow College jazz faculty.

    The Juilliard Jazz Trio includes Carl Allen, Drums; Ben Wolfe, Bass; Ted Rosenthal, Piano). Members of the Juilliard Jazz Trio have performed with artists such as Freddy Hubbard, James Moody, Woody Shaw and Art Farmer.

    Tickets: $8 for adults, $5 for children under age 12, $32 for families.

  • Friday, Aug. 4 and Saturday, Aug. 5

    Student Concert. This concert features the students involved in the workshop, including the Juilliard Student Jazz Trio. Tickets: $5 for adults, $3 for children under age 12, and $25 for families.


For more information, contact the Snow College Fine Arts department at (435) 283-7465. Information is also available online at: www.snow.edu/~music/jazzworkshop 

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Show to Feature Unique Works of Artist Larry Neilson

DATE 07/08/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Show to Feature Unique Works of Artist Larry Neilson

The Fairview Museum is hosting a special show of works by Ephraim artist Larry Nielson in July and August.

Nielson is best known for his wildlife and Native American paintings on old and weathered wood; for drawings of “fat cat” and other critters, and posters that were popular in the 1970s; and, most recently, for a painting he did of a famous military scene that ended up being circulated around the country.

The two-month-long show will feature 67of these works, starting from his 1970s “retro work” up to his most recent art. This includes a painting Nielson did of the image of the marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima in 1945. That painting was turned into a print that is being circulated around the United States and is very popular with veterans groups.

Neilson’s early work included cartoon-like drawings of animals and posters for artists including Janice Joplin, the Beetles, and Jimmie Hendrix. He spent several years working as an artist and back-up singer in Los Angeles.

In the 1970s, he was inspired to draw a picture of a fluffy, “sort-of-arrogant-looking” feline that he dubbed “Fat Cat.” He ended up turning it into a poster and for years, Fat Cat was hugely popular. Following the success of Fat Cat, Nielson was inspired to draw other images of cats, followed by a whole series of other critters: elephants, pigs, horses. Recently, Fat Cat and his pack made come back. The smirky orange cat graces the cover of a new book, Cat Miscellany, that was published by a press in London, England.

His “weathered wood” paintings are mostly of Native Americans, wildlife, rodeo scenes and Western themes such as rodeos and cowboys. Before making these creations, Nielson always waits for his canvas to “speak to him” before he picking up a paintbrush.

“The wood tells me what to do with it, it is like it has its own spirit,” he says. “Every piece of wood is a challenge, a different experience. Sometimes, I see a piece of wood and there is an immediate connection, I know just what it wants me to do with it. Other times, I have to put a piece away for a while, then bring it back out later and I will see something special in it, a face or something, that needs to come out. It is very personal.”

Nielsen works mostly from a studio in the garage behind his family home on Main Street in Ephraim, calling it Wind and Wings Wood Works ( www.windandwings.com ). The Victorian home from which he is based has been in his family for more than 100 years.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Snowkite ‘Masters’ Moving to Sanpete County

DATE 07/07/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Snowkite ‘Masters’ Moving to Sanpete County

One of the only companies in the world that makes and sells equipment especially for the growing sport of snowkiting is moving its headquarters to Sanpete County.

Windzup, owned by Brian and Heather Schenck, will be moving into the industrial park in Mt. Pleasant. The company is purchasing a four-acre parcel of land and will relocate its primary offices and distribution warehouse.

“This will create a new world headquarters for Windzup, with all operations based in Sanpete County,” Schenck says. “In addition to corporate offices, Windzup will host our nationwide distribution facilities and in-house marketing at this new location.”

Snowkiting involves large kites pulling a skier or snowboarder across the snow. It’s a relatively new sport, about five of six years old, but it’s one of the fastest-growing sports around.

And one of the most popular destinations for snowkiting enthusiasts is Sanpete County, especially Skyline Drive, which has an altitude of 9800 feet and is located up Fairview Canyon.

“It’s at the top of a mountain range, the snow and wind conditions are excellent, and it has mind-blowing terrain. It’s ideal. Skyline Drive has quickly become known in snowkiting circles as THE best spot in North America,” Schenck says.

He and his wife, Heather, “discovered” Skyline Drive for themselves a couple of years ago while searching for locations for good snowkiting. They were impressed by the acres of open flats and hills of every angle and direction. “It offered the perfect ride, no matter what,” he says.

This past winter, Schneck helped coordinate the Ozone Snowkite Masters that was held along Skyline Drive. The public event was hosted by France’s Guillaume “Chasta” Chastagnol, one of the top snowkiters in the world. It featured races, demonstrations, freestyle and backcountry riding, clinics and workshops, information on the latest technology and more.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

State FAM Tour Comes to Sanpete County June 16

DATE 06/09/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

State FAM Tour Comes to Sanpete County June 16

Media and tour operators will be familiarizing themselves with Sanpete County during a “FAM” tour June 16 sponsored by the Utah Office of Tourism.

The tour will include some of the county’s “hot spots.” “FAM” tours are being held throughout the state and are targeted to specific travel agents, tour operators and media from various markets in order to generate positive publicity about Utah’s world-class destinations, according to Tracie Cayford from the tourism office.

Next year, the state tourism office will be adding even more FAMS, promoting Utah’s national and state parks, ski resorts, cultural and heritage tourism areas, including other heritage attractions along U.S. Highway 89.

The day-long Sanpete County tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the restored Moroni Opera House. It was originally built in 1891. In the 1930’s, it was converted into a feed processing plant. The city eventually made restoring the opera house its Centennial Project. The opera house is now used for dinner theaters, children’s theatrical performances, dance performances and community events.

Tour participants will then drive to Maple Canyon for a tour and hike. The little canyon located about three miles south of Fountain Green and is known as the best rock climbing area in North America. It contains more than 300 rock climbing routes, ranging from 20 to 400 feet long and designed to please people of all ages and skill levels.

Following lunch at Don’s Café in Ephraim, the group will view several video presentations and then take an ATV ride up Ephraim Canyon. At 4:30 they will tour historical downtown Manti, followed by dinner at the Manti House Inn, a bed and breakfast that was first built in the late 1800s to provide housing for people working on the Manti LDS temple. It has long been a popular attraction for visitors to the Manti pageant in the summer.

Participants will also have a chance to learn about Sanpete County’s other cities and towns and attractions throughout the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Piute County Fair 2006

DATE 06/01/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Piute County Fair 2006

The Piute County Fair committee is currently gearing up for their upcoming fair scheduled for July 25-29, 2006 in Junction. Activities scheduled in conjunction with the fair include junior rodeos, 4-H Horse Shows, the Miss Piute Scholarship Pageant and the Butch Cassidy Days Rodeo Queen Contest.

Rodeo RoyaltyTwo junior rodeos, scheduled for June 9th and June 17th will give contestants a chance to be eligible to compete in the final rodeo of a series, that will be held during the Piute County Fair on July 28th at 10:00 a.m. at the arena in Junction. Entries for the July 9th rodeo are due June 2nd to avoid late fees, and those wishing to compete in the July 17th rodeo should have their entries in by the 9th of July. Events include barrels, stick horse barrels, dummy roping, poles, goat ribbon pull, goat tying and keyhole. Age groups are 6 and under (parents may help), 7 to 9, 10 to 13 and 14 to 18. Fees are $5 per event, and 80% of the money is jackpotted back to the contestants. If there are 8 entries in each division, in each event, it will be 2D with a 2 second split. Average prizes for the series will be given for 5 places, including a buckle for 1st. Contestants must attend half of the rodeos to be eligible for awards and must get a $10 sponsor due by the 28th of July. To pre-enter, call Holly at 435-577-2073 or 435-676-3655 or email wildwestoutfitters@msn.com . Late fee money will go towards awards. The junior rodeos are open to contestants in and outside Piute County.

The Piute County 4-H will be holding their horse shows June 24, July 8 and will conclude at the County Fair on Saturday, July 30. The horse shows are held at the Piute County Fairgrounds in Junction. This year, the participants will be competing in poles, halter, barrels, gymkhana, western equitation, western pleasure and a written test. The shows are closed to Piute County residents only and will include prizes and awards at the Fair.

Queens PagentThe Butch Cassidy Days Rodeo Queen Contest, open to girls ages 14 and up from Piute, Garfield, Iron, Wayne, Beaver and Sevier counties, will be held June 10th beginning at 2:30 at the Piute Community Center, where they will compete in modeling and interview. They will then move to the arena, where they will compete in horsemanship at 5:30 p.m. The reigning Rodeo Queen is Miss Callie Jacobs of Sevier County, along with Kaylie Bagley, 1st attendant and Shalleece Ruby, 2nd attendant.

For more information see the website atwww.butchcassidydays.com

Piute County Fair 2006

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Rhubarb Festival Celebrates 7th Anniversary

DATE 05/05/2006 2:15 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Rhubarb Festival Celebrates 7th Anniversary

Seven years ago, Winnie Wood and Bob Sorenson dreamed up the idea of hosting a thematic celebration that would bring people to Native Wines, the winery they started in the small town of Mt. Pleasant, and to other attractions in Sanpete County.

The chosen theme? The ubiquitous rhubarb.

OK, so the common garden plant is used in making all kinds of food products ranging from pies and bread to jams, jellies and ice cream sauce. Bob and Winnie, who make wines from native fruits and plants, also use rhubarb in some of their products. But does that warrant holding an annual celebration to honor the rhubarb plant?

Winnie and Bob thought so. They even came up with some funky events for the special day: a rhubarb pie-eating contest, unique foods made from rhubarb, wine-and-cheese tasting, an ugly truck contest, and even crowning someone “the rhubarb queen.”

Thus, the Sanpete Rhubarb Festival was born. Now in its seventh year, it’s a smashing success, attracting people from all over the state to Mt. Pleasant City and Sanpete County.

The local Mt. Pleasant company Peel Furniture Works, which crafts heirloom quality replicas of early Utah pioneer furniture, came on board in recent years as a sponsor, and has added its own special twist to the celebrations. In addition, for the past few years the festival has also included a soap box derby, one of the few remaining in the state, to help bring the once-popular races back to the streets of Mt. Pleasant.

This year’s Sanpete Rhubarb Festival is set for May 13 from noon to 6 p.m. at Native Wines, 72 S. 500 West, and at Peel Furniture Works, 565 W. Main Street. It will include a lot of interesting things to eat and drink made from the plant, including ice cream, soda pop, salsa, syrup, pies and pickles, as well as musical performances, vendors, sidewalk sales and more.

The celebration begins with the Ugly Truck Contest and Parade at noon. Ugly trucks from all over the region enter the parade, which runs down Mt. Pleasant’s Main Street. The only stipulation is that the truck must run.

The parade will also include “The Rhubarb Royalty” float. The Royalty include a “Queen of Rhubarb,” a “Defender of the Rhubarb” and “The Rhubarb Maiden.” The royalty also preside over events such as the pie eating and raw rhubarb eating contests.

There will be live music following the parade, including “old-time cowboy music” at Peel Furniture Works, as well as heritage craft demonstrations, food, contests and more until 5 p.m.

Native Wines will also be releasing the rhubarb wine made in 2004 and will be open for wine and cheese tasting from noon to 9 p.m. At 3 p.m., judging for the “best rhubarb pie in the world” begins and at 4 p.m. a raw rhubarb eating contest. An awards ceremony for all the day’s contests will be held at 5 p.m.

The soap box derby will begin after the noon parade, hosted by local resident John McClellan and Mt. Pleasant City. Soap Box Derby races used to be a popular event in Sanpete County, with a lot of local residents taking part as children. Nationally, races have grown in sophistication over the years, but Sanpete County’s races remain true to the original “anything goes” soap box derby philosophy. Cars can be made of any material, including plastic, wood, metal. They should be about six to seven feet long and about three feet wide. Drivers should range in age from about eight to 16 years. For additional information on the derby, contact McClellan at (435) 462-3808 or Mt. Pleasant City at (435) 462-2456.

For more information on the festival, call Native Wines at (435) 462-9261 or Dale Peel at (435) 462-2887.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Take a Trip to Sanpete County this Spring, Summer

DATE 04/28/2006 1:13 PMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Take a Trip to Sanpete County this Spring, Summer

Worried about taking a family “road trip” vacation this spring or summer due to ever-climbing gas prices? The Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council has a great idea: come and take a holiday in the historical cities and towns along U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

“Sanpete County is only a two hour drive from Salt Lake City and less than one hour from Utah County, making it a convenient and economical family get away, whether it’s for a few days or a few weeks,” says Kevin Christensen, the county’s travel director.

“What also sets Sanpete County apart is that no matter which direction you are coming from, the drive into the county is spectacular, with beautiful scenery everywhere. Getting here is truly half the fun,” he says.

Across Utah, many of the county tourism and travel associations are urging Utahans to take vacations “in their own backyards” this summer and explore what the state has to offer.

“In Sanpete County, there are numerous events taking place in the spring and summer months, from Pioneer Day celebrations to star watching parties to a Rhubarb festival. There is literally something for everyone,” Christensen says.

In addition to the planned events and festival, the county also offers ongoing art exhibits, museums and other attractions every day of the year, he says.

May kicks off with the annual Rhubarb Festival, sponsored by Native Wines and Peel Furniture Works, being held May 13 at Native Wines, 72 South 500 West. The event literally honors the rhubarb, a common garden plant used in making food products ranging from pies, bread and wine to jams, jellies and ice cream sauce. The day long festival includes cheese and wine tasting plus a variety of foods and drinks made from rhubarb. There will be contests for rhubarb eating and rhubarb pie baking and awards for the best food products. There is also an ugly truck contest, a parade, soap box derby and more.

May 27 is Spring City’s Heritage Days, a day-long celebration of the city’s historical and artistic roots. Events include a 7:30 a.m. breakfast and a home tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., arts shows and sales, and an antique show. Arts shows feature local artists Orsal Allred, Lee Bennion, Linda Budd, Susan Gallacher, M-lisa Paulsen, Cassandria Parsons, Cathy Peterson and others. A special attraction will be “Arts Squared,” an exhibit that features one-foot square paintings by the abovementioned local artists, as well as national artists Brad Aldrich, Doug Fryer, Brian Kershinik, Ron Richmond and Michael Workman. All proceeds to toward the city’s restoration project of the Old Spring City School.

Also on May 27, Ephraim is celebrating Scandinavian Days. The festival is a celebration of the city’s Scandinavian heritage and includes a parade, smorgasbord food, desserts, craft booths, exhibits, story telling and music, a quilt exposition, performing artists and much more.

In June, one of the highlights in the county’s annual “Fly In” at the Mt. Pleasant municipal airport June 2 and 3. Pilots from all over Utah, the Intermountain West and beyond will be landing in Mt. Pleasant City for the weekend. There will also be a special “hanger talk” by Gail S. Halvorsen, who was known as the “Berlin candy bomber” for dropping packages of candy to children from his airplane. Attractions include free airplane rides for kids, $25 helicopter rides and a “candy parachute” drop by Halvorsen on Saturday.

On June 10, there will be a “Hoedown” in Spring City featuring country and western dancing and singing, cowboy poetry and musical performances.

In Manti, the Mormon Miracle Pageant, runs June 15-17 and 20 to 24. The annual event attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Manti each summer. It has the largest attendance of any outdoor pageant in the United States, attracting an average nightly crowd of about 15,000 people. The performance is held on the grounds of the Manti Temple and is free of charge.

For those who are interested in watching the heavens, Snow College’s Great Basin Environment Education Center will host “star watching” parties on June 23 and July 21 featuring instructors from the college’s physics department. The GBEEC is located at 8,900 feet on the eastern edge of the Great Basin, near both Ephraim and Manti.

July is a very busy month in Sanpete County, with Mt. Pleasant’s Hub City Days held July 1 to 4. It includes a mountain man rendezvous, rodeo, parade, fireworks and more. The celebration, in honor of Mt. Pleasant being the Hub City of Sanpete County, is just some of the many things to see and do along Utah s Heritage Highway, U.S. 89 over the July 4th holiday.

Gunnison City will hold “Home Town Patriots Days” July 2 to 4 featuring a patriotic fireside and parade and Manti will holds its annual celebration July 2 to 4 in the City Park featuring attractions, events, food, crafts, exhibits and more.

July 11 to 24, Fairview City will hold its Pioneer Days celebrations, including the annual “Lace Days” at the Fairview Museum, which celebrates the art, history and skill of lace making, and attracts lace-making enthusiasts and visitors from the state, country and even outside the United States. Highlights include lace-making demonstrations, information on crochet, knit, netting, and needle lace, exhibitor tables, and a class on making lace ornaments.

Mayfield will also hold a Pioneer Day celebration July 24 with a parade and other events.

In addition to the scheduled events, the cities and towns of Sanpete County are known for being rich in art and art history. There is the Fairview City museum, with historical artifacts, exhibits and work by local artists, including works by the famous late sculptor Avard Fairbanks and his works on Abraham Lincoln.

There are also restored theatres and buildings, including the Moroni Opera House, the Star Theatre in Gunnison, the Manti City Hall Building, and most of Mt. Pleasant’s Main Street. The county is also home to numerous artists, craft makers and unique boutiques and craft shops, including the Ephraim Co-op, which carries works of many local artists.

Sanpete County is also a popular spot for outdoor sports. Many of its back and country roads are open to vehicles, ATVs and bike riders. Rock climbing is also a big draw in the summer months with the county’s rugged cliffs that draw rock climbers from all over the country. In particular, Maple Canyon, located west of Moroni, offers climbers more than 80 established routes. Fishing, horseback riding and camping are all other popular warm-weather sports. For more information on the spring and summer opportunities in Sanpete County, call (435) 462-2502.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

‘Fat Cat’ Makes a Comeback

DATE 03/03/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

‘Fat Cat’ Makes a Comeback

Drawings by Ephraim Artist Featured in New Book on Felines

In the 1970s, Ephraim artist Larry Nielson was inspired to draw a picture of a fluffy, “sort-of-arrogant-looking” feline that he dubbed “Fat Cat.”

“It was sort of a whimsical drawing, and I ended up turning it into a poster. It took off big time,” he says.

For years, Fat Cat was a popular image on walls, lockers and anywhere else posters could be found. Following the success of Fat Cat, Nielson was inspired to draw other images of cats, followed by a whole series of other critters: elephants, pigs, horses. “Some of them got wide exposure, but a lot of them weren’t seen by too many people.”

Now, some 30 years later, Fat Cat and his pack are making a come back. The smirky orange cat graces the cover of a new book, Cat Miscellany, that was recently published by a press in London, England.

The book was written by Max Cryer, a New Zealand-based author and talk show host who just happens to be a friend of mine. “He called me one day and asked me if he could send an image of Fat Cat to his publisher to look at. I told him ‘fine, go ahead.’” The publisher loved it and enquired whether Nielson had any other cat drawings.

Neilson sent in a bunch of drawings and sketches of felines that he had done over the years. “They called and said ‘Can we use all of them?” he says with a laugh.

Fat Cat ended up on the book’s cover, and some 30 other of Nielson’s drawings illustrate the rest of the text, which includes funny tidbits, factoids, quotes and other information about cats.

“It just flew off the shelves, it’s already on its second printing,” Nielson says, adding the book will start to be promoted in the United States this month.

While he isn’t making any money off the sales, Nielson says the book’s popularity is igniting new interest in his “cats-and-critters” illustrations.

“I do love to do whimsical drawings, along with my other art work,” he says.

Nielson is best known for his paintings on old and weathered wood, especially images of Native Americans, wildlife, and Western themes. Recently, a painting he did of the likeness of a famous battle scene, the image of the marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima in 1945, was turned into a print that is being circulated around the United States and is very popular with veterans groups.

Images of Fat Cat and the other felines that appear in the book are available on Nielson’s web site, http://windandwings.com/bookcats1.html . There are also links to his other “critter” drawings, as well as information about his other art work.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Bikers, Wind Walker Ranch Team Up to Raise Money to Prevent Child Abuse

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Bikers, Wind Walker Ranch Team Up to Raise Money to Prevent Child Abuse

Hundreds of motorcycle riders will be winding their way through the towns and streets of Sanpete County April 20 to 22 to raise money for child abuse prevention.

The annual “poker run” event attracts motorcycle clubs from throughout Utah, who join forces to raise money for Bikers Against Child Abuse. The event is being coordinated with assistance from Loretta Johnson, owner of the Wind Walker Guest Ranch, where many of the bikers will be staying.

The Wind Walker ranch will be the starting base for the poker run. During the weekend, participants will ride through the valley picking up playing cards and pledges to support their cause. There will also be activities that are open to the public at the ranch, including food, games, dances and other events. Many of the bikers will also be doing leisurely rides throughout the weekend.

U.S. Highway 89, the heritage highway that winds its way through Sanpete and other southern Utah counties, was named the No. 1 riding trail in the nation by the American Motorcycle Association in recent years.

Bikers Against Child Abuse has chapters throughout Utah. Members work with local and state officials to lend emotional and physical support to abused children, including supporting them at court and parole hearings and attending interviews. The organization also has chapters in some 22 states and in Canada.

For additional information on the poker run event, contact John Motsinger at (801) 224-7583.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Open House Honors Life of ‘Big Daddy’ Roth

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Open House Honors Life of ‘Big Daddy’ Roth

The Fourth Annual Big Daddy Roth Open House, which honors the life and work of renowned artist/car designer Ed Roth, will be held April 20 to 24 in Manti.

The event is held each year at the museum that Ed Roth’s wife, Ilene, created to showcase her late husband’s art and memorabilia. The museum, which is an addition on the Roth home, is located at 404 East 300 North, Manti.

After Ed Roth’s death in April 2001 at age 69, Ilene Roth decided she needed to find a way for people who loved and respected her late husband and his work to honor his memory. She came up with the idea for the open house and it is now an annual event.

Roth, who was also known as “Big Daddy Roth,” was famous for designing and building hotrod cars and for creating the cartoon characters the Beatnik Bandit and “Rat Fink” in the 1960s.

This year’s open house will include the touring “Rat Fink Statue Display,” which includes more than 40 depictions of the character Rat Fink painted by artists from all over the United States and Japan. The collection was recently on display in Austin, Texas, and will be going on to the Peterson Museum in California following the weekend’s events. The museum that Ilene Roth created to honor her late husband, which includes displays of Ed Roth’s art work and other memorabilia, will also be open during the reunion and is open to the public year-round by appointment.

Other highlights of the event include a Friday night fundraising barbecue at 6:30 p.m. and an 8 p.m. showing of Tales of the Rat Fink, a new documentary by Canadian film maker Ron Mann. The movie stars John Goodman as Big Daddy Roth. It’s a combination biography/cultural commentary on Roth. Goodman narrates the film from heaven, playing Roth as he looks down on Earth with fond memories. The film also includes the voices of Jay Leno, the Smothers Brothers, Matt Groening and Paul Lemat. The real Ed Roth is included in the film in archival footage and new interviews.

Ilene Roth has said she is delighted about the film. Both she and her late husband met with Mann in 2000 when he came to Utah to discuss the movie. She said her husband was very excited about having a movie produced to spotlight his creations with Rat Fink and fiberglass cars.

On Saturday, there will be a 1 p.m. lunch and a 5 p.m. parade of cars down Main Street. The parade will feature both hotrod and antique cars. Roth was known for building one-of-a-kind show cars and is famous for his “plaster and fiberglass” creation method. The movie, Tales of the Rat Fink, will be shown again at 8 p.m.

In addition, two of Ed Roth’s creations will be on display during the Open House, a Stealth he built in 1999 and his “Rat Fink,” constructed in 1963.

The open house will also include musical performances, videos and slide presentations, displays of show cars, food, and professional car “stripers.”

An avid hotrod enthusiast from the age of 12, Ed Roth started out by fixing up old cars in his garage. He then moved on to building cars from scratch and quickly became known as an artist rather than a mechanic, with his creations earning the title “sculptures on wheels.” He financed his passion by making cartoons and T-shirts, including drawings of cars and monsters driving cars. His most famous cartoon character was a rodent named Rat Fink, which became very popular in the 1960s and was featured on posters, T-shirts and more.

Ilene Roth met her husband after he moved to Manti from California in 1987.

For more information about the Ed “Big Daddy” Roth Open House, contact Ilene Roth at (435) 835-2142.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Historical Star Theatre Announces March, April Concerts

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Historical Star Theatre Announces March, April Concerts

The historical Casino Star Theater in Gunnison will be holding concerts in March and April as part of the Utah Arts Council’s Performing Arts Tour. The tour partially subsidizes artistic performances for residents of rural Utah.Thursday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. the theater will present Moosebutter, and award-winning, four-man comedy a’capella group. The performers combines harmony and humor, and cover a wide range of musical and comedy styles. Three of the four performers are former members of the Men’s Chorus at Brigham Young University.

The second concert will be held Friday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. and feature Sidekicks, Utah’s top cowboy entertainers. The show will include cowboy poetry and musical performances, including nostalgic renditions of cowboy songs. The group’s appearance will be celebrated by the theater for a week preceding the show with a “Best of the Old West” film series. Movies will include Stagecoach, High Noon, Shane, The Magnificent Seven, Once Upon a Time in the West and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Schedules and prices for the film series are forthcoming.

The Casino Star Theatre, which is listed on the National Registrar of Historic Places, is believed to be one of the last Beaux Arts-style theaters in the Western United States. Built in 1912 as the “Casino Theater,” it was one of several similar theatres built in the state around that time. Other structures include Ogden’s Egyptian Theater and the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake. The name was changed to the Star Theater in 1936. The theater was restored by a community group, Save our Star, and restored it to its former glory as a theater, movie house and special-events facility.

Tickets for the Moosebutter and Sidekicks performances are $10 and are available at the door. They may also be purchased in advance at Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware or by calling Lori Nay (435) 528-7136 or Diana Spencer, (435) 979-2798.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-25

Snowmobilers to ‘Shootout’ at Fairview Canyon March 30 – April 1

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Snowmobilers to ‘Shootout’ at Fairview Canyon March 30 – April 1

Some 600 to 800 snowmobiling enthusiasts from the United States and Canada will gather in Fairview March 30 to April 1 for the 10th annual Skyline Snowmobile Shootout

“People come from all over to attend this event,” says organizer Bruce Kahlhamer, who owns PSI in Ogden. “We get riders from Wisconsin, Minnesota and even from Canada. Sometimes they drive eight to 20 hours straight to get here.”

The popular weekend event is held at the top of Fairview Canyon at the end of Skyline Drive. It includes plenty of “shootouts,” where snowmobilers travel at a high rate of speed and race each other up hills. “People tend to race against those who have similar makes of snowmobiles, so everyone gets a chance and there is something for everyone. So bring your sleds and enjoy a couple of days,” Kahlhamer says.

There is no set schedule for the events, as most of the races are impromptu, he adds. People tend to start gathering around mid-morning and stay throughout the day.

Kahlhamer says the shootout started casually about a decade ago. “Friends and customers would get together for some fun and for some racing, and every year, it got more and more competitive. Pretty soon, it became a full-blown, annual event where people started coming out with their high-performance snowmobiles.”

In addition to races and other activities, producers such as Yamaha will be on hand to display the latest sleds and equipments. For more information on the event, contact Kahlhamer at (801) 393-1010.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Snowkite ‘Masters’ Set to Soar Along Skyline Drive

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Snowkite ‘Masters’ Set to Soar Along Skyline Drive

Some of the world’s leading snowkiters will be in Sanpete County March 25 & 26 for the Ozone Snowkite Masters being held along Skyline Drive.

The free public event will feature snowkite races, demonstrations, freestyle and backcountry riding, clinics and workshops, information on the latest technology and more. Activities get underway at 10 a.m. both days, with a barbecue lunch being held each day.

The Snowkite Masters is being hosted by France’s Guillaume “Chasta” Chastagnol, one of the top snowkiters in the world. He is spending two months in Utah promoting the sport and exploring new snowkiting areas.

“This is the snowkite event of the season,” says Brian Schenck, who is helping organize the event. He is an instructor and owner of a snowkite company, Windzup, one of the only companies in the country that makes kites especially for the winter sport. “It’s a non-competitive event designed to showcase the sport, and everything is free of charge. It’s an excellent opportunity for the general public to try out snowkiting, everyone rides together and shares the experience.”

Snowkiting, one of the fastest-growing sports around, involves large kites pulling a skier or snowboarder across the snow. Recently, the sport was featured in news articles published in National Geographic’s Adventurer magazine, the New York Times, Men’s Journal and Utah’s Deseret Morning News.

“But it is still a relatively new sport, only five to six years old,” Schenck says. “We are still only at the beginning of where the sport can take us.”

And one of the most popular destinations for snowkiting enthusiasts is Skyline Drive, which has an altitude of 9800 feet and is located up Fairview Canyon. “It’s at the top of a mountain range, the snow and wind conditions are excellent, and it has mind-blowing terrain. It’s ideal. Skyline Drive has quickly become known in snowkiting circles as THE best spot in North America,” Schenck says.

He and his wife, Heather, “discovered” Skyline Drive for themselves a couple of years ago while searching for locations for good snowkiting. They were impressed by the acres of open flats and hills of every angle and direction. “It offered the perfect ride, no matter what,” he says.

Schenck expects about 100 snowkiters to attend, as well about more than 100 spectators and people interested in learning more about the sport.

A special highlight at the Snowkite Masters will be the Winduro kite race, an endurance challenge that pits kiters against the terrain and wind conditions. Kiters will chase each other along a downwind course across the Skyline Drive ridge. If the wind fails or riders choose a “bad line,” they must finish the race by kit or on foot.

For more information, visit the website: http://www.snowkiting.com/snowkitemasters .

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-250

Heritage Highway to Benefit From ‘Preserve America’ Grant

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Heritage Highway to Benefit From ‘Preserve America’ Grant

A project that will involve posting historical signs and markers along U.S. Highway 89, The Heritage Highway, has been selected to receive a Preserve America Grant worth nearly $100,000.

The grant was announced this week by First Lady Laura Bush, who is the honorary chair of Preserve America, a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage.

The Sanpete County project was one of two Utah initiatives to receive support in this inaugural funding round. In total, grants totalling nearly $3.5 million were awarded to projects in 28 states.

The grant will be used to develop regional interpretative and marketing sites along Heritage Highway 89, extending from Fairview in the north to Kanab in the south, says Monte Bona, a member of the Utah Highway 89 Alliance and Mt. Pleasant City Council. The objective is to improve visitor appreciation for the heritage corridor by providing a theme and message through brochures, kiosks, and signage in the six counties along the highway, Bona says.

“Mt. Pleasant City and Sanpete County served as the designated applicant for the Highway because of its Preserve America status, but the beneficiaries also include Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane counties. This a project for the all of the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area,” he says.

The grant is Sanpete County’s latest connection to Preserve America. Two cities in the county — Mt. Pleasant and Manti — have been deemed “Preserve America” communities by the federal agency. In addition, Kanab, on the southern end of Highway 89, has also earned the honor.

The distinction recognizes and designates communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

Mt. Pleasant received its designation in August 2004 and Manti in November 2004. Mt. Pleasant was recognized for its preservation efforts and enjoyment of its historical and cultural resources as an important part of the country’s heritage. Manti was honored for its use of Old City Hall as a museum and travel and information center, and praised for the more than 4,200 community volunteer hours that went into revitalizing the building. The Manti Historic Preservation Commission, which was established in 2003, was also recognized by Preserve America for playing a vital role, as is the effort to have parts of the city listed in the National Register of Places as a historic district. Kanab was designated in 2005.

Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Benefits include use of the Preserve America logo, listing in a government Web-based directory to showcase preservation and heritage tourism efforts, and eligibility for special existing and proposed Preserve America grants and funding through various government agencies.

The overarching goals of Preserve America include a greater shared knowledge about the Nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities.

For more information, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov


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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Newspaper Editor Living Her Small-Town Dream

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Newspaper Editor Living Her Small-Town Dream

As a child, Suzanne Dean, editor and publisher of the Sanpete Messenger, dreamed of running her own newspaper and living in a small town.

“I grew up in Salt Lake City, but I spent quite a bit of time at my grandparents’ house in Joseph City, Arizona, then a town of about 500,” Dean says. “My grandmother’s house fronted on Route 66. In Joseph City, I got a taste of a close-knit town, everybody pitching in on community projects, and an environment where a wide spectrum of types of people were accepted in the community. I think that’s where I started thinking about someday living in a small town.”

Dean achieved her goal of running a newspaper early in life. When she was only 12 years old she started a neighborhood paper with the help of some friends. But it took a bit longer for her to realize her small-town dreams. “I had always thought Manti and Ephraim were some of the nicest small towns along U.S. 89 – in fact in the whole state,” Dean says. “I had thought several times that if the Ephraim Enterprise/Manti Messenger combination came up for sale, I would be interested.”

But there were a few things that Dean needed to do first, starting with going to college. She spent her freshman year at Utah State University where she enrolled in a class on community journalism. “I think that’s where I started thinking about buying weekly newspaper.” She later transferred to the University of Utah, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Following graduation, Dean did the exact opposite of moving to small town – she went to New York City. She enrolled at Columbia University and graduated with a master’s degree in journalism.

“Between Columbia and buying the Messenger, I did a bunch of things,” Dean says. That included working at the Deseret News and Standard-Examiner newspapers, teaching journalism at both the University of Idaho and University of Wyoming, working on a PhD in communications, and working for the University of Utah’s public relations department for seven years and for Magellan Behavioral Health, a national corporation, for a decade.

“By the time I left the U of U Public Relations Department in 1992, I was getting pretty serious about the weekly newspaper idea,” Dean says. “When I got to Magellan, I started putting money away for it.”

Then one day, she heard that Max Call, the then-owner of the Manti Messenger and Ephraim Enterprise, was putting his newspapers up for sale. “I decided to write Max a letter telling him about myself and my interest in buying a weekly newspaper.”

The two signed an agreement in the fall of 2000 and in March 2001, Dean arrived in town to take over the reins. “I recruited stringers from throughout the county, started covering all the town council meetings and both the North Sanpete and South Sanpete school boards, and started soliciting subscriptions from all towns in Sanpete County, not just Manti and Ephraim.”

In September, 2003, with quite a bit of fanfare, Dean changed the name of the paper to the Sanpete Messenger. One of her goals was to expand the paper countywide, so in August, 2004, she bought the Gunnison Valley News and Salina Sun, the latter of which she later sold to “friendly owners” with whom she has some business arrangements.

“In the past five years I believe we’ve given the community a taste of a much more professional newspaper,” she says. Before Dean came on board, most of the newspapers in the county relied heavily on reader submissions. “Anybody could bring in a self-written article. The paper would edit it a little, but for the most part, they’d print it verbatim. Occasionally, the papers would send someone out to take pictures of a car wreck. But for the most part, they didn’t cover the news,” she says.

“Now we put a huge effort into covering the news. We take on controversial issues, including naming names, and write hard-hitting editorials. Since I came to town, we’ve covered a hurricane, a bank collapse, a multi-million embezzlement that led to the bank collapse, published school administrator’s salaries and reported on a negative state audit of the Student Life area at Snow College,” she says.

The efforts of Dean and her staff have been validated by their professional colleagues. The paper has won the “general excellence” award in its circulation category for four consecutive years. Staff members have also earned four National Newspaper Association awards in areas such as spot news, editorial page and investigative reporting. In addition, Salt Lake City’s City Weekly named the Sanpete Messenger the “Best Feisty Rural Newspaper.” And in March, Dean will be inducted in the Daily Utah Chronicle’s Hall of Fame, where she will take her place alongside fellow members Sen. Bob Bennett and Fred Kempe of the Wall Street Journal.

But success has not come easily. “Some local people don’t like our approach-they think we should only report ‘good news’ and shouldn’t embarrass local people by reporting on their mistakes.”

Dean has also had to spend a lot of time at work. “For the first five years, I worked 80-90 hours per week. That virtually always translated to a seven-day work week. This year, I’m trying to cut back, take a little personal time, and get some rest on weekends. Still, I invariably put in way more than a 60-hour week.”

Dean still edits the paper, writes much of the news, and oversees all of the business matters, sales and marketing. “Being an independent weekly newspaper publisher is a very tough job, especially in a market such as Sanpete County where there are competing newspapers,” Dean says.

“But like other small business owners, I guess, I continue to forge ahead, grapple with the editorial and business crises as they hit, strategize about expansion, and try to turn the strategies into action.”

All of her hard work is producing results. The newspaper’s circulation today is at least two and a half times its circulation when she took over, and its revenues are up 85 percent. Dean’s future goals include setting up newspaper offices in three regions of the county: Gunnison Valley, Manti-Ephraim and North Sanpete, and expanding the paper to include two sections, one containing countywide news and the other news from the respective regions. She also strives to live up to her company’s mission statement that promises to make the Sanpete Messenger “the best little newspaper in America.” “I plan to visit newspapers around the country that have won national “general excellence” awards to learn how they achieve such remarkable news products,” Dean says.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Fairview, Ephraim Gearing up for Snowmobile ‘State Ride’

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Fairview, Ephraim Gearing up for Snowmobile ‘State Ride’

Brian Howarth loves snowmobiling. He also enjoys helping to make a difference in people’s lives, especially children. On February 23 & 24, he will get the opportunity to combine his two loves by taking part in the Utah Snowmobile Association State Ride and Winter Festival being held in Ephraim and Fairview.“This is a great opportunity for the snowmobile community and our community to work together for a great cause,” says Howarth, president of the Skyline Sno-Riders, which is helping put on the event. The local club has twice been named “Snowmobile Club of the Year” by the Utah Snowmobiling Association and was awarded this honor for a third time again this year. In 2006 the Skyline Sno-Riders was the second-largest club in the state.He added that people do not need to be a member of any snowmobiling club to attend the two-day event.

Highlights include an Ephraim Canyon Charity Fund Raising Ride and Poker Run Friday, Feb. 23, at 9 a.m. All proceeds raised will be given to the Utah Down Syndrome Foundation. Later that evening there will be a dinner and games at the Fairview Senior Citizen Hall.

On Saturday, Feb. 24, there will be snowmobile drag races starting at 8 a.m. near the Rodeo Grounds. The Fairview Canyon ride will begin at 9 a.m. at the canyon’s trail head. In addition, Fairview city will host vendors of outdoor equipment and an OHV Training class for 8 to 16 year olds Saturday afternoon. There will also be chilli “cook off” that afternoon and a Dutch Oven dinner and live entertainment open to the public at the Fairview Dance Hall that night.

In addition, the Skyline Sno-Riders Club will continue its “Operation Care Bear” tradition of collecting new stuffed bears to give to law enforcement agencies to pass on to children after an accident or other incident. Donations may be dropped off at local hospitals, city offices, sheriff’s office or county building. Last year 900 bears were given out to needy children.

The state ride and winter fest are expected to attract people from all over Utah and the inter mountain west. This is the third straight year that the Utah Snowmobiling Association has chosen to hold its “State Ride” in Fairview. “Simply put, it has some of the best riding in the entire country,” as stated in a recent four page article in “SnoWest” magazine, Howarth says.

Fairview also has a paved canyon road that leads to a trail head that provides access to more than 50 miles of trails to the north at Skyline Drive and some 30 miles to the south to Joe’s Valley. There is also a paved parking lot and warming shelters.

The great access, coupled with the great snow and diversity in the riding terrain made it a prime choice, Howarth says.

Howarth moved to Fairview from Utah County a few years ago and his entire family got involved in the Skyline Sno-Riders. The family also started several charity events tied to snowmobiling that have raised food and funds for the local food bank.

Howarth, his wife, Miko, his mother Darlene, and father, Clyde Mortensen, were also named the state’s top snowmobiling family of the year in 2004.

The Sno-Riders worked to establish a trailhead up Fairview Canyon; including putting in a paved parking lot, as well as a warming shelter located about 15 miles away from the trail entrance that is kept well-stocked throughout the season, which typically runs from December through April. During the off-season, the Sno-Riders also sponsors other events such as trail clean ups, an “adopt a highway” program and are also involved in working with the Forest Service to create another paved parking lot at the area know as “Big Drift” as well as enlarging the Skyline North parking lot next spring.

For information on the Feb. 23 & 24 rides, call Barbara Collard: 801-568-7000 (cell) or 801-254-6580. Reservations are required for the Saturday evening dinner at the Fairview Dance Hall as seating is limited. Cost is $19 per person. Call 435-427-3353 for reservations.

More information is also available online at www.skylinesno-riders.com and the Utah Snowmobile Association website at www.snowut.com or by phoning Brian at 435-427-3620 or by email, bhow@cut.net  or bhowarth@utah.gov.

http://www.skylinesno-riders.com  http://www.snowut.com

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Sanpete ‘Cruise-In and Poker Run’ Set for Sept. 8-9

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Sanpete ‘Cruise-In and Poker Run’ Set for Sept. 8-9

The sixth annual Sanpete Cruise-In and Poker Run will be held Sept. 8 to 9 in Mt. Pleasant City, aimed at attracting “old car” enthusiasts from around the state.

There will be prizes awarded in several categories, ranging from the car with the most bugs on it to the oldest car to the first car entered.

“All of the trophies are homemade, it’s just for fun,” says organizer Teri Morris. There will also be a special trophy presented by Ilene Roth, wife of the late “Big Daddy” Ed Roth, who was famous for designing and building hotrod cars and for creating the cartoon characters the Beatnik Bandit and Rat Fink.

“We just wanted to have an event that would allow people who wanted to show off their classic and antique cars to come and have them be seen by the entire county,” Morris says.

Morris started the car event six years ago in her hometown of Wales. But it’s grown too large to be accommodated in the small town, so this year it was moved to Mt. Pleasant, with the city park serving as the home base for the festivities. “We wanted a place that was more centrally located and where people could stay overnight nearby,” she says.

Highlights include dinner in the park on Friday accompanied by rock and roll music, followed by a cruise down Main Street at 8 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a day-long car show that is open to the public and an 11 a.m. “poker run,” preceded by breakfast in the park. For the poker run, participants drive their classic and antique cars to sponsoring businesses, including Cruisers in Fairview, Native Wines in Mt. Pleasant and Auto Zone in Ephraim, collecting playing cards at each stop. Upon return to the City Park, prizes are awarded for the best poker hand.

Last year, 60 cars and more than 150 people registered for the event, which includes the car show, dinner, breakfast and poker run. Registration cost is $25 in advance or $30 day-of.

“The entire event is open to the public, and a lot of things for people to see and do,” Morris says.

She originally came up with the idea of a “cruise-in” while contemplating ways to put some oomph into the region’s summer celebrations. She and her husband Glen, both “old car nuts” organized a car show. “The first show only had 10 cars, and six of them were ours,” she says. Since that time, the event has grown in popularity, attracting people from all over the state.

For more information, contact Teri Morris at 435-283-8286.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Sanpete County Gearing Up for Pioneer Day

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Sanpete County Gearing Up for Pioneer Day

Parades, picnics, and fun runs are just some of the highlights of the Pioneer Day celebrations that will take place in Sanpete County. Several of the cities and towns in the region have planned numerous activities and events in the days leading up to and including July 24.

In Fairview, the celebrations begin July 20 with an ATV rodeo at 7 p.m. On Friday, July 21, there will be entertainment at 6 p.m. at the rodeo grounds followed by an “old-fashioned” kids’ rodeo at 7 p.m. The annual rodeo will be Saturday, July 22, at 8 p.m. Other highlights on Saturday include a co-ed softball tournament, a horse parade at 6 p.m., and entertainment at 7 p.m.

On Monday, July 24, festivities get underway at 6 a.m. with a “fireman’s wake-up call.” At 6:30 a.m., the “fun run” starts at the City Hall, followed by a 7 a.m. flag-raising ceremony, a fireman’s breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m., and a craft fair and vendor booths in the dance hall starting at 9 a.m. A children’s parade will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Pioneer Day Parade at 11 a.m. At noon, lunch will be served in the city park. There will also be sand volleyball games, the Gateway to Skyline Drive Recreation Show, and a “Fairview Idol” talent contest. At 6 p.m., entertainment starts at the rodeo arena, followed by a derby and fireworks at dusk. For more information, call Peggy Johnson at 435-469-1069.

In Spring City, Pioneer Day celebrations begin Friday, July 21, with a all-ages street dance at 8 p.m. on Main Street. Events on Saturday, July 22, include a fireman’s breakfast from 7 to 9:30 am., a 10 a.m. parade followed by a car show at 11 a.m., and a children’s carnival and bake sale starting at noon in the city park. Live entertainment starts at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, an Old-Time Gospel Music Program will be held at 7 p.m. at the City Bowery. For more information, call 435-462-2244.

Mayfield will hold its annual Pioneer Days on Monday, July 24. Highlights include a 10 a.m. “Mammoth Parade,” followed by food, entertainment, carnival booths, children’s races and other events in the town park. For more information, phone 435-528-5061.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

County a Hit With Tourism Experts, ‘FAM’ Tour Big Success

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

County a Hit With Tourism Experts, ‘FAM’ Tour Big Success

County a Hit With Tourism Experts ‘FAM’ Tour Big Success

How do some Utah tourism experts who visited Sanpete County recently describe the region? Let’s count the ways:

“The perfect year-round playground.”

“A very enjoyable mixture of incredible scenic beauty, exciting outdoor activities, interesting pioneer heritage experiences.”

“So many things going for it as a tourism destination, it’s hard to keep track.”

“What a beautiful area! It’s unbelievable to me that Sanpete County isn’t more popular with local (Utah) tourists.”

These are just a sampling of some of the comments made by participants of the June 16 “FAM” tour sponsored by the Utah Office of Tourism. The event was intended to “familiarize” media and tour operators with some of Sanpete County’s “hot spots,” including the restored Moroni Opera House, Maple Canyon, the La-Sal National Forest, Ephraim, Manti and the Manti LDS temple, Mt. Pleasant and Fairview. Along the way, participants also heard about the county’s other cities, towns and attractions.

The purpose of “FAM” tours is to show travel agents, tour operators and media from various markets what the region has to offer in hopes of generating positive publicity about Utah’s world-class destinations, according to Tracie Cayford from the tourism office. If the comments received following the tour are any indication, the Sanpete County event was a smashing success.

“The climbing in Maple canyon is superb, and is a good alternative to sites a little closer to Salt Lake City,” said participant Austin Booth, who also remarked on the area’s beauty and commented that he couldn’t believe more tourist’s don’t flock to the region.

“From a historical perspective, the area is also great. I learned a lot about early Mormon settlement of Utah that I’d certainly never thought about before,” Booth said, adding he’d “highly recommended” it as a destination.”

Fellow tour participant Clayton Scrivner said he was impressed by how accessible the region is. “We were in Moroni 1 hour and 25 minutes after leaving the Salt Lake Valley.” He added the county has numerous “gifts” for visitors, including heritage and recreational sites. “Maple Canyon, the Wasatch Plateau, and all the great towns and their individual destinations… And don’t get me started on that temple, so majestic. I am sold on Sanpete.”

Chad Davis, another tour participant, also remarked on the region’s accessibility and uniqueness. “From Sanpete you can glance over the horizon and see the Wasatch Range in the distance, but it’s a world away from the Wasatch Front. Quaint pioneer villages, small town charm and outdoor recreation make it the perfect year-round playground.”

Next year, the state tourism office will be adding even more FAMS, promoting Utah’s national and state parks, ski resorts, cultural and heritage tourism areas, including other heritage attractions along U.S. Highway 89.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Fourth of July Weekend Will Be Sparklin’ in Sanpete County

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Fourth of July Weekend Will Be Sparklin’ in Sanpete County

Sanpete County will be cracking and sparkling during the Fourth of July weekend, with events and festivals scheduled in numerous cities and towns.

Mt. Pleasant City will hold its annual “Hub City Days” celebrations starting on Friday, June 30. The event honors Mt. Pleasant as being the “Hub City” of Sanpete County and will include a rodeo, parades; games; fireworks and other events.

The festivities get underway on Friday, June 30, with the annual Blackhawk Mountain Man Rendezvous Dutch oven cook off dinner at 7 p.m. in the city park. The rendezvous continues on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. with a rifle shoot-out from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a shotgun shoot at 2 p.m. and a knife and hawk throw at 4 p.m.

Many of the rendezvous participants will camp out in authentic tee pees and wall tents during the four-day event, which is expected to attract shooters and traders from throughout Utah and parts of the United States. Other events on Saturday include an all-aged rodeo at 7 p.m. that will include barrel racing, musical tires and ground and trailer racing. The rendezvous continues on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, with events including muzzle loading contest, dancing, musical performances, kids games, displays, traders and more. Monday at 7 p.m. there will be a Mutton Bustin’ rodeo at 7 p.m. Pre-sign-ups are required, for information call Debbie at 462-3816 or Pam at 462-2526.

On Tuesday, July 4, the day gets underway with a 7 a.m. fun walk/run. Donations will be accepted by the Lung Cancer Horseshoe Foundation for the American Cancer Society, with the funds earmarked for residents of Sanpete County. The walk/run will be followed by the annual IHC Hospital Foundation Breakfast in the city park starting at 7 a.m. The Children’s Parade begins at 11 a.m. and the Mammoth parade starts at 11:30, followed by a lunch in the city park sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Entertainment will begin at 1 p.m. and run throughout the day and evening. There will also be craft booths, games, displays and more. Another Mutton Bustin’ Rodeo will be at 7 p.m., followed by a spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Moroni’s Independence Day celebrations also begin June 30 with a talent show at the restored opera house at 6:30 p.m. On July 1, there will be a co-ed softball game, along with “mudd boggs” at the city arena at 2 p.m. On July 3, the city hosts its famous “BBQ Turkey Dinner” in the city part by the fire station from 6 to 8 p.m. Winners of the talent show will perform.

The July 4 festivities will begin with a 7 a.m. flag raising ceremony, a 7:15 a.m. fun run, and “Airplane ping pong” at 9:45 a.m., which includes the dropping of hundreds of prizes along a parade route. The city parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by a carnival, crafts, booths, a car show and other activities in the park from 10:30 a.m. to2:30 p.m., including a water slide and obstacle course. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a pre-fireworks variety show, with fireworks at 10 p.m. For information on Moroni’s festivities, contact Ron Pipher at 435-436-8359.

Gunnison will celebrate “Hometown Patriot Days” starting on July 2, with a patriotic fireside at 7 p.m. at the Gunnison LDS Stake Center. On July 3, there will be a roast beef dinner at city park at 6 p.m., followed by a patriotic program, auction, youth dance and fire works. On July 4, there will be a American Legion breakfast at the city park at 7 a.m. and an 8 a.m. flag ceremony, followed by a fun run and parade. There will be activities all day long at the city park, including games, food, volleyball, horseshoes, a book sale, art show, quilt show, car show, free swimming, a diaper derby, children’s races, a dunking machine and more. At 9 p.m., there will be a free family movie. For information, call Elise Bown at 435-528-3842.

Manti will mark the Fourth of July with a morning flag ceremony, breakfast in the park, concession and craft booths, day-long activities and tournaments, and fireworks at dusk. For specific details, contact Manti City Hall at 435-835-2401.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Manti to Welcome Thousands for Annual ‘Miracle’ Pageant

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Manti to Welcome Thousands for Annual ‘Miracle’ Pageant

Manti is gearing up to have more than 100,000 visitors in town this month. The annual Mormon Miracle Pageant is scheduled to be held June 15-17 and 20-24.

The pageant, started in 1967 at the county’s fairgrounds, has grown to involve some 800 cast members, 300 prop and technical crew members, and another 900 volunteers who assist with traffic control, ushering, meals, emergency medical services and maintenance.

The performance is held on the grounds of the Manti Temple and is free of charge. The pageant begins each night at 9:30 p.m., with gates opening at 6 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are more than 4,000 seats available, with additional room on the temple grounds for lawn chairs and blankets.

The pageant has the largest attendance of any outdoor pageant in the United States, attracting an average nightly crowd of about 15,000 people

People are encouraged to say in town for several days exploring the region, including taking scenic drives, taking advantage of the numerous outdoor activities, or visiting the unique boutiques and craft shops in town and along historical U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

Overnight accommodations are available locally, including camping and trailer parks. The Manti City Park is also available for camping, but can often be crowded. Advance reservations and planning is recommended.

A complete schedule and more information is available online athttp://www.mormonmiracle.org/  or by calling (435) 835-3000.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Popular Scandinavian Festival Set For May 25-27

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Popular Scandinavian Festival Set For May 25-27

Ephraim’s annual Scandinavian Heritage Festival and Conference, believed to be the largest Scandinavian heritage event in the Western United States, is set for May 25 to 27. The popular event attracts more than 10,000 people to Sanpete County, many of whom travel along U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

The festival is an opportunity for people to learn about the influence of Scandinavians in Utah, and experience art and culture and authentic cuisine. Many local residents dress in Scandinavian costume. The festival runs Thursday evening until 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Highlights include a heritage conference, story telling, “Old World” craft booths and demonstrations, a Little Denmark supper, entertainment, sporting activities, a quilt show, historical tours, craft booths, a parade and more. Most events are held at Snow College, 150 E. College Ave. (100 North) or Pioneer Park (enter at about 50 N. 100 West).

“Old World Craft Booths,” are educational exhibits of crafts dating back to Ephraim’s Scandinavian ancestors. There will be demonstrations of Old World crafts, including blacksmithing, woodcarving, pottery making, rug weaving, bobbin lace making and more from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in front of the Noyes Building at Snow College.

In addition, there will be more than 40 modern craft booths that will line College Avenue (100 North) between 100 and 300 East starting at noon on Friday until Saturday at 6 p.m.

On Friday, events include children’s dance performance at 11 a.m., storytelling at 2 p.m where costumed performers will tell Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and give presentations on the author and artist; bread baking and karioke contests at 2:30 p.m. and a 6 p.m. softball tournament, followed by the Little Scandinavian Supper at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, there is a 5K race at 8 .m., a Lions Club breakfast at 8 a.m., musical performances, historical tours, puppet shows and more storytelling, and a parade that starts at 10 a.m. down Main Street. Entertainers that day include Nancy Hansen, Lincoln Highway, the Pfat Olde Professors, Pistol Rock and The Amazing Greys.

One special highlight of the festival is a Scandinavian history conference at Snow College, which runs Thursday night from 6 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The conference seeks to inform participants about the culture and contributions of the Mormon pioneers, particularly those who immigrated from Scandinavia.

This year’s conference will include a presentation by Kari Main, a doctoral candidate in American Studies at Yale University, on what relics and artifacts teach about the pioneers. Another presentation by Rick Matthews, president of the Icelandic Society of Utah, will address Scandinavian genealogical research. Additionally, a panel discussion is planned on the history of Ephraim’s pioneer power system, which is celebrating its centennial this year. There is no charge and advance registration is not required. For more information, contact Kim Cragun at 435-283-4747. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.ScandinavianHeritageFestival.com

Some 650,000 Utahans trace their ancestry to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. Sanpete County’s culture has been greatly influenced by settlers who arrived first in the Salt Lake Valley from the Scandinavian countries and then were assigned to colonize central Utah. Many were farmers, carpenters, stone masons, cabinetmakers and furniture builders. The architecture of their farm buildings, cabins and houses were influenced by construction techniques and building forms from back home, a uniqueness that is still present today.
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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Heritage Highway to Benefit From ‘Preserve America’ Grant

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Heritage Highway to Benefit From ‘Preserve America’ Grant

A project that will involve posting historical signs and markers along U.S. Highway 89, The Heritage Highway, has been selected to receive a Preserve America Grant worth nearly $100,000.

The grant was announced this week by First Lady Laura Bush, who is the honorary chair of Preserve America, a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve cultural and natural heritage.

The Sanpete County project was one of two Utah initiatives to receive support in this inaugural funding round. In total, grants totalling nearly $3.5 million were awarded to projects in 28 states.

The grant will be used to develop regional interpretative and marketing sites along Heritage Highway 89, extending from Fairview in the north to Kanab in the south, says Monte Bona, a member of the Utah Highway 89 Alliance and Mt. Pleasant City Council. The objective is to improve visitor appreciation for the heritage corridor by providing a theme and message through brochures, kiosks, and signage in the six counties along the highway, Bona says.

“Mt. Pleasant City and Sanpete County served as the designated applicant for the Highway because of its Preserve America status, but the beneficiaries also include Sevier, Piute, Wayne, Garfield and Kane counties. This a project for the all of the Mormon Pioneer Heritage Area,” he says.

The grant is Sanpete County’s latest connection to Preserve America. Two cities in the county — Mt. Pleasant and Manti — have been deemed “Preserve America” communities by the federal agency. In addition, Kanab, on the southern end of Highway 89, has also earned the honor.

The distinction recognizes and designates communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism programs.

Mt. Pleasant received its designation in August 2004 and Manti in November 2004. Mt. Pleasant was recognized for its preservation efforts and enjoyment of its historical and cultural resources as an important part of the country’s heritage. Manti was honored for its use of Old City Hall as a museum and travel and information center, and praised for the more than 4,200 community volunteer hours that went into revitalizing the building. The Manti Historic Preservation Commission, which was established in 2003, was also recognized by Preserve America for playing a vital role, as is the effort to have parts of the city listed in the National Register of Places as a historic district. Kanab was designated in 2005.

Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Benefits include use of the Preserve America logo, listing in a government Web-based directory to showcase preservation and heritage tourism efforts, and eligibility for special existing and proposed Preserve America grants and funding through various government agencies.

The overarching goals of Preserve America include a greater shared knowledge about the Nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of communities.

For more information, visit www.PreserveAmerica.gov


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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Plans for Equestrian Center Unfolding

DATE 02/10/2006 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Plans for Equestrian Center Unfolding

Mt. Pleasant Main Street Committee, in coordination with Sanpete County Economic Development and Kevin Christensen, director of the county’s Travel and Heritage Council, has unfolded plans for the development of an equestrian center that will serve all of the county.

The proposal, which was presented by the equestrian center committee at a Mt. Pleasant Main Street Committee this week, will be presented to the Mt. Pleasant Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Board on Tuesday, Feb. 14 2006.

“The centre will be a great asset for Mt. Pleasant City and Sanpete County,” Christensen said. “It has the potential to bring hundreds of visitors to various events sponsored by the community and to local clubs. The new complex will also provide stall space for lease. Riders will have the ability to escape cold weather during the winter, and during the summer months, they can head to the nearby mountain trails and experience the beauty of the Manti-La Sal National Forest.”

The equestrian center will be located on 55 acres of land on the north side of the Mt. Pleasant industrial park. Plans call for an indoor arena, two outdoor arenas, covered stalls, trailer parking, RV parking, a multi-purpose building with showers, a play area, tent area, and, possibly, a swimming pool. The adjacent airport, which focuses on recreational flying, will add another important dimension for tourism plan.

“This project, which will be developed in phases, will make an outstanding contribution to the economy of Mt. Pleasant and Sanpete County,” says Monte Bona, a member of the Main Street committee and Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council. The center’s development is part of an ongoing campaign by the heritage council to promote outdoor recreation throughout the region.

“Horse enthusiasts along the Wasatch Front need a place where they can participate in arena activities, as well as take advantage of the outstanding horse trails in a beautiful mountain terrain. Local trainers, clubs, schools and horse owners will be proud to host activities and invite fellow enthusiasts to visit the equestrian center in the Sanpete Valley.”

Bona says the Sanpete County region currently has more horses than it did back in the days when the animals were the main source of transportation, and horse enthusiasts are looking to construct a facility that would let them exercise, train and hold horse-related events and activities year round. In addition to horse enthusiasts and local business owners, Bona adds that all of the county could see direct and indirect effects from an indoor arena.

Benefits would range from bringing more tourists into the region to filling up hotels and motels, to expanding educational offerings for people inside and outside the community.

“We are continually looking for new opportunities that will allow Sanpete County to promote its many historical and recreational offerings,” Bona says. “This facility would complement the many other attractions we currently have.”

The center will also tie into a equestrian program at Mt. Pleasant’s Wasatch Academy. The Century-old private boarding school will be a major player in the project. Vern Fisher, Wasatch Academy’s director of development, is coordinating the Center for the school. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Wasatch and for the communities of Sanpete County,” he says, adding that the school’s growing equestrian program will link with the Center. Betsy and Pat Page, who direct Wasatch’s equestrian program, will also serve on the center committee with Fisher.

Kevin Stallings, who is heading the center committee, praised the effort and the expertise each of the committee members brings to the project. Other committee members are: Jared Nicholson, Ernie Booth, Dean Daniels, Juanita and Keith Ranch, Wanda Terry and Robert Olson.

Architect George Olson, who is located in Mt. Pleasant’s old caboose in the Railroad Depot Heritage Village, has prepared the design work on a volunteer basis. He has designed many other major recreational projects and will be crucial to the Center’s development.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Spring City Readies For Heritage Celebration

DATE 02/21/2006 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Spring City Readies For Heritage Celebration

Day-Long Event to Include Historical Tours, Art Auction.

  Spring City’s will open its doors May 27 for its annual Heritage Day celebration. The city’s history and beauty, along with the talented people who call this small Sanpete County town home, will be on display for all to see and appreciate.

The day-long event will include historical tours, including beautiful pioneer homes, the recently restored Old Spring City School, and the bishops storehouse; an art show featuring local artisans; and an antique show that will include a saddle display, furniture and farm equipment. There will also be a community breakfast and lunch, and a Daughters of the Utah Pioneers quilt show and bake raffle.

Tickets for the historical homes tour go on sale at 9 a.m. and the tour begins at 10 a.m. At least 15 buildings will be on tour this year, including the newly restored 1883 Behunnin-Beck house on Main Street.

The art and antique show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Spring City School, 100 East Center Street. It will feature works by current Spring City artists including Orsal Allred, Lee Bennion, Linda Budd, Susan Gallacher, M’lisa Paulsen, Cassandria Parsons and Kathy Peterson.

In addition, this year’s show will feature “Art Squared,” a wall of one-foot square paintings by these artists, as well as nationally-known artists Brad Aldrich, Doug Fryer, Brian Kershink, Ron Richmond and Michael Workman.

The art works will be auctioned during the show, and proceeds will go to the Old Spring City School restoration fund. The school is a 100-year-old Victorian structure that has stood proudly in downtown Spring City for more than 100 years. It’s featured on city council letterhead and is prominently displayed on the city’s logo.

Built in 1899, the school has eight classrooms, four on each level, as well as a large attic space, complete with windows. At one time, it housed all the grades, and was even used as a middle school and high school. A “new” elementary school was built next to the Historical Old School in 1920 and uses for the old school began to diminish. Eventually, the old schoolhouse became a make-shift storage facility for the school district. It hasn’t been used as a school since the 1950s.

Several years ago, friends of Historic Spring City started raising money to save the building, including adding the historic home tour and art sale to Heritage Day events to help raise money. The group also received a grant from the National Parks Service (Save America’s Treasures program). Plans call for using the building as a community center.

For more information on Spring City’s Heritage Day celebration, contact Kaye Watson, (435) 462-2211 or M’lisa Paulsen, (435) 462-3454.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

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