Provo, UT

The Utah Arts Festival is one of my favorite events to attend. It has a cool, edgy vibe while still managing to be family-friendly. The 2008 festival will be held Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, from noon to 11 p.m. at Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. The four-day event is one of the largest outdoor festivals in Utah, attracting 80,000 people. It features more than 130 visual artists, 100-plus performing artists, literary and culinary artists. It’s a total feast for the senses.

One of the main attractions is the Artist Marketplace, which showcases artists specializing in just about every medium you can think of: ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, mixed media, digital art, printmaking, photography, metalwork, wood, glass, jewelry, and wearable art. The festival highlights contemporary art, but there’s a unique mixture of innovation and tradition from booth to booth. Everywhere you look is one visual delight after another.

Your other senses will be saturated, too. Local and national musicians, poets, storytellers, theater groups, and dancers perform on five different stages so there is something happening all around you, all the time. There is also the noted Word Ecstatic literary arts program, and the Fear No Film festival, featuring more than 50 full-length indie films.

And the food! Go with an empty stomach and a full wallet: there are dozens of delicious food vendors, but it can be pricey (although typical for a festival of this size). You’ll have to wait in different lines for your food and your drinks. There’s a sit-down area if you can manage to find a table (you’ll probably end up sharing with strangers, which can be fun at these types of events). Otherwise bring a blanket to sit on the ground. You’ll want one anyway, especially if you stay for the evening concerts. Last year there was a fantastic New Orleans-style Jazz band playing just after sunset, and my daughter had the time of her life dancing her heart out.

Little ones can express their creative spirits at the Target Art Yard (open from noon to 8 p.m.). This is one of our favorite areas at the festival, because it’s fun for our daughter, and easier to keep an eye on her (don’t leave your kids unattended). Kids are encouraged to create their own art projects, and to participate in a large group project. It’s awesome to see what comes together as each kid adds their own special touch. This year’s theme is Go Green, and kids will have a chance to create recycled art, rain forest art, and wind power art. Be sure to stop by the Mad Hatter, to create your own wearable masterpiece. Might as well get your face painted, too, to complete the picture! Kids can also take place in various literary events throughout the weekend, such as poetry workshops and story time.

For the littlest festival-goers, visit the Toddler Zone. You’ll find pint-sized playground equipment, instruments made from found objects, and a diaper-changing tent. (The more mature audience has to use port-a-potties, but there are hand-washing stations outside some of them).

The Arts Festival prides itself on being wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, although it can get very crowded during peak hours, which can slow you down. Service pets are permitted. No skateboards, skates, or bikes allowed (but there is a free Bike Valet lot), and no outside food or drink permitted.

Parking is available in the lot under the library, or at various pay lots throughout the city (keep an eye out for “event parking” signs). The festival, ever environmentally-conscious, encourages using TRAX.

Tickets are available for purchase at the festival, or you can purchase them in advance online.

Adult Admission: $10.00
Children 12 & under: Free
Seniors: $5.00
Lunchtime Special (noon-3p.m. Thursday & Friday ONLY): $5.00
Four-day pass: $30

For more info:
http://www.uaf.org/index.php/Festival-Info/General-Info/Frequently-Asked-Questions.html

Event schedule and map:
http://www.uaf.org/images/stories/2008-general/festival-at-a-glance.pdf

Booth map:
http://www.uaf.org/images/stories/2008-general/2008-artist-map.pdf