Payson's free Latino festival runs from noon to nine
Plus Rowley's fall opening, two free BYU programs, and Saturday-only pastel de choclo.
Good morning, Happy Valley.
Festival Latino de Payson fills the Peteetneet amphitheater Saturday with nine hours of local musicians and dancers representing countries across Latin America. Admission is free, and the only money you need is for food or merchandise.
This weekend also opens the Back 40 at Rowley's Red Barn, puts eight hands on two pianos at BYU, and gives the original King Kong a free Friday-night screening. We found a Saturday lunch in Orem that you have to order ahead, too.
📍 30 seconds in the valley⏱️ 9 min read
- 💃Spend Saturday at Festival Latino de Payson
- 🍎Ride the wagon to Rowley's Back 40
- 🌽Order Saturday's pastel de choclo in Orem
⭐ The Big One
Saturday's pick Spend Saturday at Festival Latino de Payson
Payson City's sixth annual Latino cultural celebration brings local musicians and dancers from several Latin American countries to the Peteetneet Museum amphitheater. The city expects more than 1,500 people across the nine-hour event.
Our take
Go in the late afternoon, buy dinner from a vendor, and stay for the evening performances. The long schedule also makes this easy to fit around a morning plan.⚠️ Heads up: Food and merchandise are not included. The city page does not list reserved seating, so bring a portable chair if you need one.
free live music and dancefree family outingLatin American food
📰 Around the Valley
Utah County's first Whole Foods is planned for Lehi
Whole Foods Market will anchor The Collective at Morning Vista, a 134,000-square-foot retail and dining development under construction at Timpanogos Highway and Morning Vista Road. The project is expected to open in late 2027 and has also announced Sephora, Bamboo Sushi, PopUp Bagels, Lovesac and other tenants.
Huntsman's Vineyard cancer campus starts rising above ground
Huntsman Cancer Institute has started vertical construction on its 284,000-square-foot Vineyard campus after crews installed 830 deep foundation supports. The building is expected to be enclosed by summer 2027, receive its occupancy certificate in June 2028, and welcome its first patients in September 2028.
📅 This Week
Fall opening day Ride the wagon to Rowley's Back 40 on opening day
Rowley's Red Barn opens its 2026 Fall Festival Saturday with wagon rides to the Back 40, corn mazes, animals, apple cannons, zip lines, air pillows, slides and a corn pit. Admission includes the activities and one train ride.
Our take
Go close to ten if the children want several hours on the activities. Buy tickets at the barn or online, then take the wagon to the Back 40.⚠️ Heads up: The wagon leaves the barn every eight to ten minutes. Bring a jacket and water because most of the visit is outside.
budget fall farm daychildrenoutdoor activities
Free Friday concert Hear four pianists play two pianos at BYU
The American Piano Quartet performs arrangements and original works written for two pianos and eight hands in the BYU Music Building's Concert Hall Friday night.
Our take
Choose this if you want a full concert without a ticket charge. The unusual setup lets four pianists share two instruments instead of taking turns at separate recitals.⚠️ Heads up: Free admission does not guarantee a late seat. Campus parking and the walk to the Music Building take extra time.
free classical musicfree date night
For classic-film fans Watch the original King Kong at the BYU library
BYU screens the restored 1933 King Kong in Reynolds Auditorium Friday. The library holds papers from director Merian C. Cooper and composer Max Steiner, and the film is part of the National Film Registry.
Our take
Go for the film history and the chance to see an early monster movie on a larger screen. The screening ends by nine.⚠️ Heads up: The film contains 1930s portrayals that have aged poorly. The event listing specifically notes that context.
free classic filmmovie history
Preseason price Open fall at Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove
Hee Haw Farms opens its 2026 fall event Saturday with a petting farm, pumpkin patch, hayrides, slides, a corn pit and games. The current preseason day pass includes an orange pumpkin up to 15 pounds and one scoop of ice cream.
Our take
Buy the preseason pass before you go if you want the pumpkin and ice cream included. Opening at four leaves enough time for the farm activities before dark.⚠️ Heads up: The ticket page lists a 4pm opening-day start. Most of the activities are outside, so wear shoes that can handle dirt.
budget pumpkin patchfarm animalsfamilies
🏟️ The Scoreboard
Utah Royals women's soccer moves into third place
Utah's women's soccer team beat Houston 1-0 on Mina Tanaka's 69th-minute goal and held the Dash without a shot on target. The Royals are 13-8-3 with 42 points and sit third in the NWSL before hosting Angel City.
Real Monarchs end 2026 with Ventura County FC
Real Monarchs played Minnesota United FC 2 to a scoreless draw Wednesday before losing the shootout 4-3. The club enters its final match at 7-15-5 with 30 points and sits 11th in the Western Conference.
🍴 Eat & Drink
Call before Saturday Call ahead for Saturday's pastel de choclo at Lomito's
Lomito's serves South American food from its Center Street dining room in Orem. Its seasonal pastel de choclo, a baked corn dish, is available only on Saturdays and must be ordered by phone. The kitchen also makes its empanadas de pino and sandwich bread daily.
Our take
Call 801-607-1602 before Saturday and order the pastel de choclo. If it is gone, get an oven-baked empanada de pino and one of the sandwiches made with the restaurant's daily bread.⚠️ Heads up: The pastel de choclo is Saturday-only and requires a phone order. Lomito's is closed Sunday.
budget South American foodSaturday lunchempanadas
👨👩👧 Family & Free
Go before ten Shop the last two September markets at Pioneer Park
The Provo Farmers Market brings Utah Valley growers, bakers, food vendors and makers to Pioneer Park Saturday. The summer schedule has only this week and Sep 26 left before the market shifts to a later October start time.
Our take
Arrive near nine for the best produce selection, then eat breakfast from a vendor and let the children walk the booths before the park gets busy.⚠️ Heads up: Vendor purchases are not free, and popular produce can sell out before the market closes.
free local producefamily morningsmall businesses
🎟️ Also Happening
💧 Learn the five steps to a lower-water Utah yard
Register for Saturday's 10-11:30am Localscapes class in room 201 at Provo Library, 550 N University Ave. The adult class is free.
🌊 Provo Library screens Moana 2 for families
Bring a blanket to the Story Room at 550 N University Ave on Friday from 6-8pm for the library's free family movie night.
🎻 Utah County Suzuki students perform at BYU
Celebration XI starts Saturday at 4pm in the BYU Music Building. The statewide Suzuki association is marking 50 years of student, teacher and parent programs.
The Debate
📰 Valley News
Lehi Fiber passes 7,000 active subscribers
Lehi's city-owned fiber network has reached more than 7,000 active subscribers, about 30% of the homes and businesses it passes. The completed system includes more than 400 miles of fiber and offers service from five competing providers. City officials estimate it needs about 10,500 subscribers, or a 38% take rate, to cover its long-term financial obligations.
D1 Training opens a 4,800-square-foot gym in Spanish Fork
D1 Training has opened at 852 S Spanish Fork Parkway with coached group programs for ages 7-11, 12-14, 15-18 and adults. Four local families own the 4,800-square-foot facility, which is expected to add five coaching jobs.
💙 Good Neighbor
One hour a week Deliver lunch to a homebound senior once a week
Meals on Wheels needs Utah County volunteers to use their own vehicles for one weekday lunch route. You deliver meals, give each homebound senior a brief safety check, and become a familiar face at the door.
Our take
Choose the weekday that fits your schedule and respond through the United Way of Utah County volunteer board. The route takes about one hour.⚠️ Heads up: Volunteers must be 18 or older and use their own vehicle for deliveries.
free one hour a weekhelping seniors
For a full Saturday, start at the Provo Farmers Market at nine, reach Rowley's when the Back 40 opens at ten, and head to Payson for food and performances in the afternoon.
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