This Week's Top Five!

Here are my top five picks for family-friendly activities this week (in no particular order). Pack the kids in the car and head north, south or just a few blocks away to experience some of the diverse fun that Utah has to offer this time of year. For a full list of activities this week, please check the calendar page.

1. Head South!
If you want to head to southern Utah this summer, this is the week to do it! The Utah Shakespearean Festival begins this week in Cedar City and has great fun for adults and kids alike. While you’re in town, be sure to check out the 6th Annual Groovefest, featuring family oriented American music.

Then head an hour northeast to Panguitch, Utah for the 6th annual Balloon Festival featuring 30 hot air balloons, crafts, and live entertainment. The Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally run Friday through Sunday and includes an evening balloon glow on Saturday.

Nearby is the Ebenezer Bryce Festival on Saturday right outside Bryce Canyon in Tropic, Utah. Associated with this Festival is also the Hoodoo Chili cookoff!

If you want to head south but save a bit of gas money, try going just as far as Manti and Sanpete County! Thursday through Saturday is the traditional Mormon Miracle Pageant on the grounds of the LDS Manti Temple. While you’re there, be sure to check out the Sanpete Fly In where the famous Berlin “Candy Bomber,” Gail Halvorsen, will be speaking. On Saturday there will be free airplane rides for kids 8-17, helicopter rides at $25/person and lots of kid-friendly activities. At noon there will be a candy parachute drop!

2. Utah Arts Festival
Running Thursday through Sunday at Library Square in Salt Lake City, this festival features visual arts, culinary arts, and performing arts. The event is free to children under eight.

3. Plein Air Arts Festival
Head to Thanksgiving Point gardens for their inaugural open-air art event. While strolling the beautiful grounds, children can not only see summer time blooming around them, but they can also watch as artists create masterpieces in the open air!

4. Iceland Days Family Festival
There will be smoked icelandic lamb, icelandic pancakes and baked goods, icelandic and western-icelandic music, icelandic sheep and horses, fun activities for the children, storytelling, a bus tour of historic icelandic sites in Spanish Fork, icelandic family histories, and the foremost icelandic family history specialist west of Reykjavik.

5. Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove
Pleasant Grove’s annual city festival began yesterday and continues through Sunday. See below for the full schedule of events.

Mon., June 18 Free
Family Swim (Veterans’ Memorial Pool) 6:00 p.m.
Battle of the Bands (Community Center) 6:30 p.m.

Tues., June 19
Concert (Soccer Field, East of Veterans’Memorial Pool) 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Joshua Creek

Wed., June 20
Baby Contest (Royal Victorian Rose Garden) 10:00 a.m.
Fifth & Sixth Grade Relay Race (PGJHS Track) 3:00 p.m.
Children’s Parade (All children are invited to participate) 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Rodeo Entertainment Mutton Bustin’ (Rodeo Grounds) 7:30 p.m.
PRCA Rodeo (Rodeo Grounds) 8:00 p.m.
City of Fun Carnival (Downtown Park) 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Thur., June 21
Boutique (Community Center) Noon - 9:30 p.m.
D.U.P. Tours (Pioneer Museum) 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Rodeo Entertainment Mutton Bustin’ (Rodeo Grounds) 7:30 p.m.
PRCA Rodeo (Rodeo Grounds) 8:00 p.m.
City of Fun Carnival (Downtown Park) Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Fri., June 22
Huck Finn Day (Battlecreek Park) 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
D.U.P. Tours (Pioneer Museum) 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Pet Show (Battlecreek Park) 10:00 a.m.
Boutique (Community Center) Noon - 9:30 p.m.
Pie Eating Contest (Community Center) 6:00 p.m.
Pre-Rodeo Entertainment Mutton Bustin’ (Rodeo Grounds) 7:30 p.m.
PRCA Rodeo (Rodeo Grounds) 8:00 p.m.
City of Fun Carnival (Downtown Park) Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Sat., June 23
Men’s Doubles Tennis Tournament (Manila Park) 7:00 a.m.
Boutique (Community Center) Noon - 5:00 p.m.
5K Walk/Run (For info. call the Community Center at 785-6172) 8:00 a.m.
Mammoth Parade (Along 200 S., Main St., West Center St.) 10:00 a.m.
D.U.P. Tours (Pioneer Museum) 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Pre-Rodeo Entertainment Mutton Bustin’ (Rodeo Grounds) 7:30 p.m.
PRCA Rodeo (Rodeo Grounds)* 8:00 p.m.
City of Fun Carnival (Downtown Park) Noon to 10:00 p.m.

Sun., June 24
Concert in the Park (East side of Community Center) 7:30 p.m.Skyline Chorus