Community

October is the best month out of the entire year. From fall weather to thrilling frights, this month is stacked with events for all. For even more events happening in Salt Lake City this week and throughout the month, visit our community events calendar! And stay in the know with our free e-newsletter, The Hive.

Monday, Sept. 29 

What: WitchFest 2025 at Gardner Village
When: 9/19-10/31
Where: Gardner Village

The trees are changing and spells are brewing at Gardner Village. Bring your family, friends or partner to Gardner Village for this year’s annual WitchFest. Ongoing now until Oct. 31.

What: Get to the River Festival
When: 9/29 at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Legacy Nature Preserve Entrance, North Salt Lake
In need of an outdoor activity for the whole family. Come out to Get to the River Festival and take a walk along the river with festival coordinators and other community members. The ongoing festival will be ending tomorrow 9/30. 

Tuesday, Sept. 30

What: Grow the Flow x Post Office Place Fundraiser for the Great Salt Lake
When: 9/30 at 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Post Office Place 

Post Office Place is teaming up with local environmental organization Grow the Flow for an evening of cocktails, raffles, artwork and community engagement. This event is the capstone to the bar’s month-long activations centered around the Great Salt Lake, and their entry for our 2025 Farm-to-Glass Cocktail Contest: What Remains. Learn more about the cocktail, here. 

What: Alice in Wonderland Pop-Up at Lake Effect
When: 9/30 at 5 p.m.
Where: Lake Effect
Lake Effect’s basement speakeasy, the Rabbit Hole transforms into an immersive wonderland of inventive cocktails and surreal details. The $20 ticket grants you two-hour access to the experience, food and beverages sold separately. 

Wednesday, Oct. 1

What: The Roommate by Jen Silverman at Salt Lake Acting Company
When: 10/1 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Salt Lake Acting Company

Salt Lake Acting Company will open its 2025-26 season with the Utah premiere of The Roommate. “A coming of a certain age comedy about an unexpected, transformative friendship between two distinctly different women. Being bad never felt so good in this riveting one-act about second acts.” Tickets are on sale now and the show will be ongoing 10/1-10/26.

Thursday, Oct. 2

What: Premier of Plan-B Theatre’s Just Add Water
When: 10/2 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Rose Theatre
Plan-B Theatre presents Just Add Water, a whimsical dramedy in which the Great Salt Lake takes human form and set out on a hero’s journey to find answers about a climate crisis. The 90-minute show is part of the Wake the Great Salt Lake art initiative funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Salt Lake Arts Council. Showtimes available 10/2-10/19. 

What: Park City Wine Festival
When: 10/2–10/4
Where: Various locations in Park City
Vino enthusiasts rejoice! The Park City Wine Festival brings together industry experts and hobbyist sommeliers for a weekend of education, paired dinners and over 200 unique wines. The centerpiece of the festival is the Grand Tasting at Canyons village, but attendees can also purchase tickets to exclusive coursed meals curated by Park City restaurants. See the full schedule. 

What: Utah Mammoth vs. Los Angeles Kings
When: 10/2 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Delta Center
Hockey Season has just begun and the Utah Mammoth is up against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. Who will win? Find out at this week’s game at the Delta Center, you won’t want to miss it!

Friday, Oct. 3

What: A Little Party Never Killed Nobody
When: 10/3 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Vault at Bambara
Take a step back in time to the roaring twenties for an evening of Gatsby-level revelry at The Vault. The experience includes live music, dancing, small bites and curated cocktails. Get your tickets here. 

What: 2025 Tower of Terror Film Series
When: 9/12-11/1
Where: Salt Lake Film Society, Broadway Centre Cinema
Prepare for a ghoulish evening with Salt Lake Film Society this Friday for the Tower of Terror Film Series. Friday will feature The Thing at 7 p.m. and The Fly at 9:30 p.m. Audiences decide which film makes it out alive. If you dare.

What: Battle at the Beehive Concert Series
When: 10/3 at 7 p.m.
Where: The Beehive
Four bands will battle it out at the Beehive this Friday. $10 for entry is all you need to cast your votes for your favorite local. This is an ongoing event every month. Don’t miss it!

Saturday, Oct. 4

What: BooLights at the Hogle Zoo
When: 10/4 at 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Hogle Zoo

The Hogle Zoo’s annual event BooLights is back for another year. As the animals go to sleep and the moon shines above, Hogle Zoo will open its gates for an evening of spooks and scares for all ages of ghouls. Bring out your inner monster at this year’s BooLights, ongoing 10/3-11/1.

What: Craftoberfest 2025
When: 10/4 at 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Oakland Avenue

South Salt Lake Arts Council presents: Craftoberfest!! A one-of-a-kind arts event, this weekend will host local bands, vendors, artists and craft beer. Bring the family or your partner and enjoy the company of local community and art

Sunday, Oct. 5

What: Queer Book Fair Bonanza
When: 10/ 5 at 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Under The Umbrella Bookstore 
Kick off Banned Books Week with Under The Umbrella’s 2nd Annual Queer Book Fair Bonanza! Bring a friend, or two or three, and support local, queer authors and community members.

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Park City, the town, is like that girl who hands out swag bags at her own birthday party. While the rest of us throw together trunk-or-treats in the school parking lot after a Costco costume-and-candy haul, the charming resort town just up yonder curates delightful small-town fetes with folks donning prize-winning costumes or handcrafting scarecrows for a good cause. Be jealous, or pose as a Parkite and join the fun!

Fun on the farm

Kicking off hair-raising holiday revelries with its annual Scarecrow Festival, community members gather under a brilliant backdrop of mountains enrobed in gold, crimson and burnt sienna at McPolin Farm, the hard-to-miss icon often dubbed the “big white barn” roadside between Kimball Junction and Old Town Park City.

But barn magic doesn’t happen by accident, and keeping that paint in gleaming white condition or maintaining the stunning orchard takes time–and fundraising. Each year, the city, which owns the historic farmstead, along with Friends of the Farm, which takes care of the property, brings Parkites together to create a walking trail filled with dazzling and delightful scarecrows.

“The city provides a limited number of packets with straw for stuffing, a framework for your scarecrow and a name tag for your creation,” says McPolin Farm Manager, Paige Galvin, of the event in early October. She says locals get first dibs on tickets, which usually sell out. “Folks are encouraged to bring their own items to build and decorate their scarecrows, and believe me, they do.”

Those who know the ropes take scarecrow-making seriously; it’s not uncommon to see ticketholders show up with props, accessories, handmade heads, shoes or fully-made costumes to dress their creations. A full Darth Vader scarecrow spooked visitors (and crows) from his perch last year. A Barbie, a Harry Potter and a skeleton bride also proved crowd favorites.

Scarecrow-makers jockey for ‘prime’ display spots along the nearby McPolin trail before joining in fall festivities at the farm. “We have pumpkin painting, face painting, cookies and cider,” says Galvin of the afternoon festival. “We also have live music fro the Iron Canyons Echoes Band.”

A perfect way to bring the community together (and a few wannabes), the Scarecrow Festival takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. If you are not lucky (or local) enough to score tickets, you can walk the spooky scarecrow trail until just before Halloween.

• When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m.
• Where: McPolin Farm, 3000 UT-224, PC
• Ticket Information: parkcity.gov

Howl-O-Ween on Main Street

Enclosing Main Street in spooky fun for foot (and paw) traffic only, Park City’s Howl-O-Ween event takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 31. Along with munchkins dressed as ghouls, mermaids or Marvel characters, check out the costume-clad canines that put the “howl” in the howl-o-ween festivities– donning equally spine-tingling or downright hilarious costumes, who can resist an English bulldog dressed in a Swan Lake tutu and headpiece? Or a springer spaniel dressed as an ear of corn? Especially when her humans are other members of the vegetable patch, including an adorable toddler peas-in-a-pod? C’mon!

“Everyone from kids to dogs to retirees comes to the event,” says Chris Phinney with the Historic Park City Alliance. Folks can trick-or-treat at storefronts up and down Main Street, gathering special goodies, showing off their creations, perhaps even stopping in for a quick bite. “All the merchants on Main Street, from bars and restaurants to clothing stores and art galleries, pass out candy. Some decorate their storefronts, and sometimes they do giveaways or whip up fun treats like cotton candy or popcorn.”

But it’s the costumes, Phinney says, that are unrivaled. “The community gets really into it and goes all out,” he says. “I’m always laughing and in awe.”

If you forget your costume, though, don’t worry; there’s no contest. There’s also no emcee, no program, no food carts or stage. Instead, Phinney says, pop-up performances on the street are the norm. “We may get a dance team that shows up to perform their routine, maybe some string musicians” he says, adding, “Mostly, though, people like to chat and walk, see their friends and show off their creations.”

• When: Friday, Oct. 31, 3-6 p.m.
• Where: Park City’s Historic Main Street
• Note: Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must be on a leash

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It’s officially fall in Utah. Make the most of the fleeting season with U-pick pumpkin patches, Halloween displays, corn mazes and more! 

Pumpkin Patches 

Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch and Thriller Park

More of a Halloween attraction than a traditional pumpkin patch, Kuwahara’s is the perfect family fall outing. Guests can choose their own pre-picked pumpkin while exploring the 31 on-site attractions, including corn mazes, Halloween Mainstreet, obstacle courses and more. Throughout October, Kuwara’s Thriller Park is also hosting four themed weekends of Halloween fun, check their website for the full schedule 

12153 S. 700 West, Draper | Open every day at 10 a.m. 

Mabey Farms 

If you’re craving that classic family-owned farm setting, Mabey Farms in South Jordan has you covered. Spanning over 16 acres, the pumpkin patch boasts 45 varieties all grown on-site. There’s also plenty of photo booths across the farm for an obligatory family photo shoot. 

10090 S 1000 West, South Jordan | Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

Cross E Ranch 

The gourd enthusiasts at Cross E Ranch want every kid to experience the joy of choosing, cutting and hauling around their own pumpkin. One of the only U-pick options in the state, Grandpa’s Pumpkin Patch is ornamented with hundreds of pumpkins sold by the pound. The ranch is also hosting its annual Fall Festival, comprising a corn maze, pig racing, an adventure farm and more. 

3500 N 2200 West, SLC | See full festival and pumpkin patch hours at crosseranch.com

Black Island Farms 

Pumpkin picking and hay rides—how could a fall day get any more perfect? Black Island Farms offers several Halloween attractions, including an eight-acre corn maze, zombie laser tag, and a pumpkin patch accessed by a tractor-pulled hayride. Each hayride ticket comes with one pumpkin picked straight from the vine. 

2075 S 4000 West, Syracuse | Find all hours at blackislandfarms.com 

Rowley’s Red Barn 

Now through October 30th Rowley’s Red Barn is hosting the Fall Festival, featuring apple cider donuts, wagon rides, corn mazes and more. The ranch fills every inch of its sweeping grounds with something fun, including a wagon ride through its pumpkin patch. 

901 S 300 West, Santaquin | Open Monday–Friday 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Wheeler Historic Farm 

Explore Wheeler Farm’s free admission pumpkin patch during their Pumpkin Days (9/26–10/31). Keep the fall fun going with even more activities like a corn pit, duck race, cow rides and more. 

6351 S 900 East, Murray | See all hours on their website. 

More Family-Friendly Fall Events 

North Logan Pumpkin Walk 
Oct. 16–21, 2025

A beloved Cache Valley tradition for more than 40 years, this free community event features hundreds of intricately carved and glowing pumpkins, along with giant imaginative displays made from various gourds and vegetables.

American West Heritage Center’s Fall Harvest Festival 
Oct. 10–11, 2025

Bring in the harvest the old-fashioned way with cider pressing, corn shelling, candle making, threshing with antique tractors, a corn maze, wagon wides, pony rides and more.

Cornbelly’s 
Now through Nov. 1, 2025

A full-on Halloween extravaganza, Corbelly’s has two locations in Lehi and Spanish Fork, each bursting with haunted scenes, pumpkin sculptures and Halloween lights. For thrillseekers, Insanity Point is an all-new terrifying corn maze with 23 spooky scenes, hayrides, campfires and more. 

Gardner Village WitchFest 
Sept. 19–Oct. 31, 2025 

The whimsical Gardner Village transforms into a Halloween haven of witch displays, seasonal boutique shopping, scavenger hunts and more. Visit on select nights for dinner theatre, escape rooms and magic shows.  

Halloween Lift Rides at Sundance Resort 
Oct. 16–31, 2025 

Enjoy Halloween displays and lights from the comfort of the Outlaw Express Lift at Sundance Resort. The 30-45 minute ride also comes with hot chocolate, seasonal treats and a cozy blanket. 

Frightmares at Lagoon
Now through Nov. 2, 2025 

Utah’s only amusement park gets a spooky makeover for the fall season. Get all your thrills at Lagoon’s staple rides and games, along with over nine haunted attractions ranging from scaredy-cat-friendly to enter-if-you-dare. 

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SnowWiesn Oktoberfest, Snowbasin’s take on the annual Bavarian festival, offers a wide range of beers from local breweries. Still, you don’t have to be of drinking age to enjoy it. 

SnowWiesn also features food, music, and activities for the whole family. Brooks Roe, the resort’s brand manager, recommends a scenic gondola ride followed by a family hike or a round of miniature golf at Snowbasin’s challenging 18-hole course.

The event is stroller-friendly, and the gondola will slow down for wheelchairs or strollers to board.

Dogs are also welcome if owners are prepared to clean up after them.

At 3:15 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, games are held, including an all-ages contest to see who has the best Bavarian attire. “Last week, a family won,” Roe said. “They dressed their kids up in some lederhosen.”

More than 40 vendors are also on site, selling jewelry, treats, clothing, woodwork and more. Roe mentioned looking for balloon twisting and face painting for the kids.

The Park City Polka Players provide festive Bavarian music throughout the event, followed by local headliners on the concert stage at 4 p.m.

Remaining SnowWiesn headliners:

• Sept. 27: Lake Effect
• Sept. 28: Davey + The Midnights
• Oct. 4: The Alpines
• Oct. 5: Tony Holiday
• Oct. 11: Triggers + Slips
• Oct. 12: Mobius Wave

Food options include knackwurst, brats, and other traditional foods, as well as sandwiches, pizza, waffles, and more. Families are welcome to bring blankets to picnic.

SnowWiesn runs Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 12. 

Roe said parking is free, available, and easy to navigate. Tickets are $10, but they are only $5 when purchased online at least one day in advance. Children 4 and under get in free. Purchase tickets here.

Roe describes the overall vibe as “light and fun.” So, whether you’re enjoying the brews or skipping the beer tent altogether, you’ll find plenty to do in a chilled-out, relaxing environment.

Snowbasin is located at 3925 E. Snowbasin Road, Huntsville.

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It seemed strange in the 1970s that, at the height of his success as possibly the most famous actor in the world, Robert Redford decided to make rural Utah his home.

He’d discovered Utah while driving from his parents’ home in California to college in Colorado, and built a cabin here in the early 1960s, long before his career took off. With success, he went all in, buying a faltering old ski resort on the backside of Mt Timpanogos and rechristening it Sundance. You’d see him around like any neighbor, getting an ice cream shake at Granny’s in Heber City, shopping at a hardware store in Provo. My cousin once helped him change a flat tire on the side of the highway. He was at the post office one day and at the Oscars the next.

His commitment to his adopted home was real—you don’t go from starring in The Candidate to running for the Provo Canyon sewage board on a lark. At a time when environmentalist was a dirty word in the mountain West, Redford insisted that we native Utahns treat our extraordinary home as he did, with the fervent love of a convert. Some folks would insult him for it—he was a commie, a Hollywood elitist, even, worst of all, a Californian. But what he was was right, over and over again. He helped kill a coal plant in what is now a national monument. He stopped the construction of a six-lane freeway through his beloved Provo Canyon. He established his own nature preserve that will remain unspoiled in perpetuity. He wholly loved the land so many of us take for granted.

Other famous people have moved to Utah, but they came because Redford came first. As he turned a podunk local film festival into the most prominent celebration of cinema on the planet, he introduced our state to movers and shakers who also fell in love. Yet he hated the hoopla and overdevelopment that sprang up as a result—you felt that if he could have frozen Utah in 1980, he would have. It’s hard not to feel the same way sometimes. 

Here at Salt Lake magazine, we wrote about Redford, our most famous living resident, many times. We interviewed him. We wrote about his movies. We talked about Redford the activist and local businessman. We covered him as someone whom we knew folks always wanted to hear about. In all that coverage, we never saw anyone but a great neighbor we were lucky to know. An oversized photo of one of our early covers hangs in the entrance hall of our offices, summing up who he was. Citizen Redford.

At the end of one of his famous roles, playing the Sundance Kid next to Paul Newman’s Butch Cassidy, there is one of the most celebrated frames in cinema. Our two heroes are surrounded by the Bolivian army, about to be gunned down. It’s the last stand of the Old West outlaw—the rapidly advancing world no longer has a place for these kinds of men. You can’t help but wonder if we have a place for stars like Redford anymore, unproblematic men who settled into a home they loved and committed to it, using the luck life doled out to them to help others, and delighting us with their casual charm and charisma for decades. 

Robert Redford went by Bob to his friends. As he aged and his face became as craggy as the Utah desert, he became part of the landscape, another visual icon in a place chock full of them. He fell in love with our mountains. Many of us who live here loved him back for it. 

He became, above all, a Utahn.

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Burt Brothers Motorpark Launch Party

April 22, 202 • Burt Brothers Motorpark, Grantsville  |  Photos courtesy Red Head Marketing and PR

Utah Motorsports Campus has been officially renamed and rebranded as Burt Brothers Motorpark. The new partnership between Burt Brothers Tire and Service and one of the premier motorsports venues in the U.S. is designed to elevate the experience for fans, participants, and partners alike.

A celebration took place on April 22 that included remarks by Grantsville Mayor Neil Critchlow, Burt Brothers CEO Brian Maciak, and Garett Potter (director of the Motorpark). Social media influencers and media had the opportunity to race in exotic cars, experience the thrill of drifting, and cruise around the track in go-karts.

Burt Brothers’ partnership with the Motorpark extends meaningfully beyond naming rights. Both brands will have the opportunity for greater exposure, to leverage consumers and strengthen relationships with industry professionals and fans. Those visiting the Motorpark will receive giveaways, special promotions, interactive experiences with Burt Brothers, and special offers for tire service and automobile repairs.

Fans and drivers can anticipate Burt Brothers-branded events, including tire safety clinics, performance driving workshops, and sponsorship opportunities for race teams, further solidifying Burt Brothers’ position as a leader in both the automotive and motorsports industries.

The two organizations will collaborate on educational programs, products, and community initiatives designed to expand interest in motorsports and cultivate the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.

Utah Bride & Groom White Party

June 9, 2025 • Red Butte Garden Arboretum

Photos by Morgan Leigh Photography and Katinov Photography

Utah Bride & Groom magazine’s annual White Party brings together the biggest talents within the state’s bustling wedding industry for an evening presented by Sysco International and Black Desert Resort.

With a vibrant palette and lively florals imagined by Tonya Hoopes of Hoopes Events and executed by Sweet Afton Floral and Decoration, Inc., this year’s event helped to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Red Butte Garden, bringing the venue’s Orangerie to life in zesty fashion. Striking orange linens, glittering flatware from Indigo Utah and an artist’s take on a vintage VW bus from Diamond Event & Tent centered the main event area, setting the stage for delicious bites from Cuisine Unlimited catering, Cache Toffee and Sheer Ambrosia Bakery. 

Out on the patio, DJ Russ Powell kept the beats bumping and the party alive throughout the evening, including an energetic flash mob performance that featured Joslyn Poole of Metro Music Club and a variety of surprisingly musical wedding industry professionals planted throughout the crowd. Throughout the evening, guests raised glasses filled with curated creations from Mecca Bar Co. and Vine Lore Utah in celebration of a brand new wedding season.  

Westminster University’s Sesquicentennial Gala

June 5, 2025 • Westminster University campus, SLC  |  Photos by Misty-Jade Carlson and Hannah Bettis

Westminster University presented its Sesquicentennial Gala Celebration at its Sugar House campus in Salt Lake City on June 5, 2025. The black tie fundraiser was held in honor of the university’s 150th anniversary as a leader in higher education. More than 200 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour in the garden surrounding historic Converse Hall, with an oyster and caviar bar, specialty cocktails, and a silent auction, serenaded by a student-led jazz trio. At dinner, held outdoors under the stars at the heart of campus, guests dined on locally-inspired dishes like alpine beef tenderloin and summer salads. Guests bid at a live auction on items including an art and science tour of the Great Salt Lake with a luxury picnic and an all-inclusive week in the Cayman Islands. More than $1.3 million was raised throughout the evening to support student scholarships. More at westminsteru.edu.

Taste of Black Rock Desert Tour

June 5, 2025  • Black Rock Desert Resort, Ivins  |  Photos courtesy Black Rock Desert Resort, J/PR

On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Black Rock Desert Resort invited media and local guests to an event to showcase the diverse food and beverage venues offered at the resort. Guests had bites and tours of Flo Bar & Lounge, The 20th Hole Sports Bar, Latitude Restaurant, and Basalt, the resort’s signature fine-dining steakhouse. Guests had the opportunity to meet the resort’s culinary team, Executive Chef Matthew Krueger, Food & Beverage Director Ryker Brown and Pastry Chef Michelle Taylor.

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With the 2034 Winter Olympics still years away, Utah donors have committed to giving $200 million for the event with the largest philanthropic campaign ever to support the Olympic and Paralympic games.

Organizers launched Podium34, a fundraising initiative connecting some of the most prominent philanthropists in the state to support the 2034 events and other athletic causes.

Currently, 22 donors have made contributions to the effort, with nine of them making the most substantial donations or pledges — $20 million each — allowing them to bear the title of “founding captains” and appearing on snowboards with crystals, resembling disco balls.

“With today’s milestone, we accomplished two things. First, we laid the financial foundation to host great games in 2034. This is essential,” said Fraser Bullock, executive chair and president of the 2034 Olympic Organizing Committee. “Second, we opened the door to be able to execute the first pillar of our vision, which is to elevate our communities.”

The list of organizations donating $20 million include the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, Robert H. and Katharine B. Garff Foundation, Huntsman Family Foundation, Maverik, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation, The Daniels Fund, John and Marcia Price Family Foundation and Matthew and Tatiana Prince.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also made commitments to support the 2034 games, Bullock added during his remarks. Its contributions will be made public in the coming weeks.

Representatives from the contributing organizations attended the launch party on Monday sporting matching blue Olympic-themed jackets. State lawmakers, Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox also joined the event.

The current donations and pledges are part of a goal to raise $300 million through the initiative. With the committee’s total budget being about $4 billion to organize the games, that target sets a “fantastic foundation” for their objectives, Bullock said after the event. 

The money will help funding the games, he added. But also, because it comes early, the organizers are planning to use it for community initiatives starting in 2026, like youth sports and education programs.

A program of this magnitude is a first in the history of the Olympics, Cox said on Monday.

“This has never been done. We’ve gone all the way back to ancient Greece. We’ve done it. We’ve looked. Never happened before,” he said.

The fundraising feat may show enthusiasm for the economic prospects and infrastructure projects the games may bring to the state, but mostly, Cox said, it will be a time of unity. 

“The Olympics is an opportunity to share with the world who we are and what we believe in. And who we are, are people that serve and give back, that give charitably, that care more about our neighbors than we care about ourselves,” Cox said.

Referring to the founding donors of Podium34, the governor added, “You represent the very best of our state, but not just the very best of our state, the very best, of humanity, of who we are, or at least who we should be, who we’re aspiring to be. And we’re so grateful to have you in this cause.” 

The new International Olympic Committee president, Kirsty Coventry, also praised the initiative in a video message, describing Utahns as “longstanding friends of the Olympic movement,” and encouraging organizers to use this momentum to nurture youth and further develop winter sport in the state.  

“Since 2002 your state has grown in diversity, vibrance and global relevance,” Coventry said. “In 2034 you will build on that foundation with unmatched community pride, passion and purpose.”

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This article was originally published by Utah News Dispatch

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About the Author

Alixel Cabrera covers the status of diverse Utah communities, growth, infrastructure and education for Utah News Dispatch.

A few years ago, Tonga Kofe was a walk-on. A former football player working construction, he joined a clinic that Utah’s professional rugby team, the Utah Warriors, held to find local talent. They saw his potential. After two standout years at the Warriors, he started playing for the USA Eagles, America’s national team.

127.7 million people watched the Super Bowl this year, but compare that to the World Rugby Cup final, held every four years. In 2023, 800 million people tuned in to watch South Africa defeat New Zealand by a single point in a packed stadium in Paris. Rugby is a global giant compared to the lightweight runner-up of football. So why isn’t it more popular in America? 

One place where it is: Utah. Rugby is huge in the Pacific Island nations, and Utah’s large population of Pacific Islanders has made the sport a thriving alternative to football. With the Pacific Nations Cup set to be played at America First Field on September 21st, top-level international rugby once again returns to the Beehive State. 

Tonga is moving on from the Warriors to play for the top-rated Leicester Tigers in England this season, but he has something to say about the state of American rugby and its future in Utah. 

Q: How did you end up playing rugby in Utah? 

I played football in Portland, OR, but I moved to Utah to work in construction. Then I decided to play rugby. I did the Warriors Crossroads Cup, a competition they do to find local talent. I was blessed enough to be one of those guys they picked up from the side of the road, and joined them for the 2024 campaign. 

Q: Why is rugby uniquely popular here?

Utah fans, they’re real supportive of their local teams. They love the Jazz, they love their new hockey team. They find out that they have a professional rugby team… Utah people will always try something new. When they come to a game, they love it. They love the physicality of it. They love football–they love BYU, they love the University of Utah, so I don’t get why they wouldn’t love rugby, and they do.

With the Polynesian community, I feel like they are all looking for an outlet, so they join their local club to let off some steam, let off some stress. Then when they see someone they know on the warriors, they are able to come out for a game and celebrate with them as well. Whenever Samoa or Tonga come here, the stands should be filled with Polynesians.

Q: You played football. Why should someone play or watch rugby instead?

Rugby because players don’t just have to do one job or one position. In football, the coach tells you, you do this and don’t think about anything else. In rugby, after you make a tackle, you have to get up and you might have to make another tackle. You have to be aware of where the ball is. You can take an interception, or someone might take an interception and you have to get back on offence and get ready to attack. It’s very interesting, it’s never boring, you don’t have to stop every couple of plays. If you like the flow of soccer and the physicality of football, it’s the sport for you to watch. 

Q: There’s a lot of concern about the injuries with American football, especially with kids. Do you think rugby is a safer sport than football?

For sure. Rugby’s a safer sport because… I mean football has started to do it, but they teach you how to tackle better. What side your head should be on, how to tackle with form. Football triggers something in your mind that, just because you have a helmet and pads, you just go out there and throw your body out there, with no thought about how you end up or how the other guy ends up. Psychologically, that’s where they are at with football players, but in rugby, there’s technique to it. They actually teach you how to tackle, they teach you how to land. As the ball carrier, they teach you how to fall on the ground and turn, so you’re not just throwing your body out there.

Q: What’s going to get rugby to take off in the US?

It’s just going to have to be advertising. Some people still don’t know that there’s major rugby in the US. Every time we go through the airport, a lot of people are asking which team we are. We have to sit there and explain to them who we are and what it is. They know what rugby is, but they don’t know that there’s a professional team in America.

Q: The Warriors went to the final this year and are one of the best teams in professional rugby. Why are they so good?

What set us apart from other years was the leadership on the team. You had guys come in with a lot of experience, our captain Gavin Thornbury, him coming in, taking the reins and leading us in the right direction. Then you have guys like Liam Coltman, former All Black, coming in as hooker, and Aki Seiuli, from Samoa, coming in as the loosehead, with their experience, we dominated in scrums through the season. Having guys like that on the team, being able to lead with the experience they have, being able to trust what they said and being able to believe it. When they tell us they can go out there and win, us 15 on the field believe that. 

Q: You’re off to play in England next season. Are you going to miss playing in Utah?

I love Warriors home games because we’re able to fill out the stands. It’s loud, supportive, the crowd gives you a burst of energy. You don’t really feel that game-day atmosphere in other places. 

That’s why I love playing in Utah.

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After a fire gutted four thriving restaurants on Salt Lake’s main street, the community stepped up to close the gap for employees. The Main Street Fire Fund was set up by the Downtown Alliance in the immediate aftermath of the blaze, raising an incredible $494,000 in days. 100% of the proceeds have been distributed to displaced workers pay their bills in that critical first month while they scrambled to find new work or qualify for unemployment. The Alliance, with the Utah Restaurant Association, even organized a resource fair for those who lost their work.

“Salt Lakers show up for each other, and this response has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Downtown Alliance Executive Director Dee Brewer. “From five-dollar QR code donations at the Farmers Market to major philanthropic gifts, this campaign provided workers who woke up unemployed August 12, a bridge to their next opportunity.”

The campaign gained national attention when actor, Utah resident and downtown restaurant owner Ty Burrell, released out a heartfelt video with Mayor Erin Mendenhall calling on the community for help.

The Downtown Alliance picked up all the costs associated with raising and disbursing the money, allowing for 100% of the money raised to go straight into the pockets of employees. 

“This tragedy underscored the resilience and generosity of Salt Lake City,” said Brewer. “Neighbors supported neighbors and turned heartbreak into hope. While the fund has now closed, our work isn’t done — we remain committed to helping property owners and business owners rebuild this block and restore its vibrancy.”

There’s a long way to go to get these beloved Salt Lake businesses back on their feet, but it’s great to see the community stepping up to help those who were most immediately harmed by the fire. Let’s all hope that we’ll be back on Main Street soon, sitting at the outdoor tables, enjoying a good meal or a tasty cocktail. 

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The name Peach Days implies that it’s purely Brigham City’s celebration of peaches. But the annual free event actually celebrates the city itself, as the community comes together for, yes, peaches, along with a parade, a car show, concerts and more. “It’s the largest festival in Brigham City,” said Monica Holdaway, CEO of the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce, which organizes Peach Days. “It is what Brigham City is known for and famous for.”

Experience it yourself on Sept. 5 and 6 in Brigham City.

A Little Background

Legend says early settler William Wrighton kicked off the area’s peach industry when he followed Brigham Young’s advice to grow fruit there and bought 100 peach pits for $1. About half a century later, in 1904, the Box Elder Commercial Club started Peach Days to bring the community together for the harvest season and to help promote the juicy, yellow and red Early Elberta variety. Today, it’s a lot like a holiday for many locals. Don’t be surprised if someone wishes you “Happy Peach Days.”

Early Holiday Shopping

Peach Days features more than 200 vendors selling crafts, foods and more. Holdaway recommends shoppers go on Friday morning or afternoon, before the city is packed with families for the evening parade and carnival.

Take the Shuttle

Speaking of crowds, you’ll have a hard time driving through downtown on Saturday. Instead, pick up a shuttle that will take you either downtown or directly to the car show. Visit boxelderchamber.com/peach-days for stops.

Listen to the Music

On Friday night, Peach Days will feature The Saltairs, a popular alt-rock band from nearby Tremonton. On Saturday night, it’s ’80s-style rockers Paradise City, covering songs from Van Halen, Madonna and more. 

Saturday’s Parade

The biggest draw is the parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Locals usually begin setting up chairs on Thursday afternoon. If you get there around 8 a.m., Holdaway says you’ll likely find a spot for yourself. Wave to the Peach Queen, winner of an annual scholarship pageant, as she goes by.

The Food

If you’re straight-up going for peaches, Holdaway says to head to the top of Forest Street or Main Street for Tagge’s Famous Fruit and Veggie Farms, offering peaches, jams and more. Peach Days has two food courts and food trucks for all things made with peaches, from ice cream to deep-fried. 

You can also find non-peach fare like burgers, Korean food and Navajo tacos.

The Car Show

Saturday’s car show is always a big draw and features a wide variety of classic automobiles. “We don’t charge the cars to come, nor do we charge the spectators to come and look at the cars,” Holdaway says.  

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