The Scarlet Pimpernel in Pleasant Grove, an outdoor movie at Ashton Gardens, John Hafen in Springville
Plus the South of the Border Benedict at The Brunch House, island plate lunches in Lindon.
Good morning, Happy Valley.
Down in Springville, the museum has John Hafen's soft Utah landscapes back on the walls.
Grab a horchata latte and let's get into the week.
📍 30 seconds in the valley⏱️ 5 min read
- 🎭The Scarlet Pimpernel opens at the Hale in Pleasant Grove
- 🎬Outdoor movie on the lawn at Ashton Gardens Friday
- 🍳The Brunch House and that South of the Border Benedict in Provo
⭐ The Big One
Worth it The Scarlet Pimpernel opens at the Hale, Pleasant Grove
The sweeping musical of masks and mistaken identity, set in the French Revolution, opens its run tonight at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater in downtown Pleasant Grove.
Our take
This is the big date night of the week. The Hale does the intimate-round staging that makes the swordplay and the big romantic numbers land right in front of you. It is the kind of show couples plan a whole evening around, so pair it with a walk through old-town Pleasant Grove.⚠️ Heads up: Popular runs sell out fast at this theater. Confirm the exact showtime and remaining seats before you drive up.
$$ date nighttheatermusicals
Details → 📰 Around the Valley
Big 12 media days put BYU football back in the spotlight
BYU is set to open the Big 12's media days, and the Cougars are heading in carrying the same steady energy that made last season work. Provo fans have plenty to be hopeful about as the program keeps building in the conference. It is the first real drumbeat of another football season in the Valley.
UVU education students place in the top 10 nationally
Four education students from Utah Valley University finished in the top 10 at a national competition. It is a nice win for the Orem campus and its future teachers, many of whom will end up in front of classrooms right here in Utah County. Good news for local schools looking to hire homegrown talent.
📅 This Week
Worth it
🎬 Outdoor Movie Series, Ashton Gardens
A family movie on a big screen out on the lawn at Ashton Gardens, with the gardens and Mount Timpanogos as the backdrop.
Our take
One of the prettiest spots in the county to watch a movie outdoors. An easy, cheap Friday night for the whole family.⚠️ Heads up: Confirm the title and start time before you go, and bring a layer for when the temperature drops after dark.
$ familiesoutdoor moviedate night
Details → Worth it
🎨 Enduring Beauty: John Hafen, Springville
A show at the Springville Museum of Art celebrating John Hafen, the Utah landscape painter known for his soft, glowing views of the valley and its fields.
Our take
Hafen painted this valley more than a century ago, and his work still captures what the fields and mountains feel like at golden hour. A calm, free hour of real Utah art history.⚠️ Heads up: Confirm the museum's open hours before you go, as they vary by day.
Free artfreequiet
Details → Worth it
🎵 American Music in Provo (A-Frame Concert Series)
An intimate house-style concert in Provo from the A-Frame Concert Series, with the exact venue shared after you buy a ticket.
Our take
A close-up, listening-room concert is a nice change from a loud bar show. Perfect for folks who want the music front and center.⚠️ Heads up: Confirm the date, time, and remaining tickets before you buy, since the venue is only revealed after purchase.
$$ musicdate nightintimate shows
Details → Worth it
🦋 Summer at the MOA: Mimi Chen Ting, Provo
A summer showcase at the BYU Museum of Art built around Mimi Chen Ting's bold, movement-driven work, with a family-friendly musical riddle to explore.
Our take
A free, cool, kid-friendly art stop right on BYU campus. Chen Ting's color and movement pieces are a fun way to get kids talking about art.⚠️ Heads up: Confirm the museum's open hours before you go.
Free artfreefamilies
Details → 🍴 Eat & Drink
Order this The Brunch House, Provo
A mom-and-pop brunch spot blending American and Latin flavors, right across from Intermountain Hospital in Provo.
Our take
This little family-run spot leans into its Latin side, and the South of the Border Benedict is the one to beat. The chilaquiles and that horchata latte make it worth going out of your way. It is the kind of neighborhood breakfast the regulars quietly guard.⚠️ Heads up: It is small and popular, so confirm hours and expect a wait on weekends.
$$ brunchfamilydate night
Details → 💡 Hidden Gem
Worth it
Leilani's Polynesian Place, Lindon
A family-run Polynesian market and grill in Lindon serving island plate lunches piled with teriyaki beef and chicken.
Our take
This little grill and market has been serving island plates since 2014, and the portions are big and cheap. A tasty change from the usual State Street lunch run.⚠️ Heads up: It is small and family-run, so hours can shift. Confirm they are open before you head over.
$ lunchcheap eatsfamily
Details → 🧭 Scenic Drive of the Week
Worth it
Kyhv Peak Road Overlook, Provo
A steep, mostly-dirt road above Provo Canyon that climbs to a sweeping overlook of Utah Valley, Cascade Mountain, and Mount Timpanogos.
Our take
This is the local sunset spot that regulars name before the famous overlooks. The dirt climb is bumpy but the view over the valley at dusk pays for it. Easy date night with a takeout dinner in the front seat.⚠️ Heads up: The road is dirt, narrow, and steep, so drive slow and skip it if it has rained. Confirm the road is open before you head up.
Free sunsetdate nightviews
Details → 👨👩👧 Family & Free
Worth it
Lehi Legacy Center
Mostly-indoor leisure pool with a half-in/half-out lazy river, a slide, a dumping bucket, and a shallow toddler area with baby swings.
Our take
The most fun of the indoor pools for kids. The lazy river runs half outside, the big pool tops out at 3.5 feet, and the toddler area has baby bouncy swings, genuinely all ages.💡 Insider
A big bucket dumps water every ~5 minutes with a loud crash. Older kids stand under it on purpose; noise-sensitive toddlers may need a heads-up the first time. The toddler splash area and baby swings are gold for the under-5 crowd. $ kidsrainy daytoddlers
Details → 🎟️ Also Happening
🖨️ 3D Printing: Robots, Monsters and Pirates
A hands-on 3D printing class for ages 12 to 17, Tuesday in Highland.
🏛️ America 250 Historical Flag Display
A walk-through display of historic American flags at The Orchard at University Place in Orem this week.
💃 Adult Ballroom Lessons at the SCERA
A drop-in adult ballroom class Saturday at the SCERA in Orem.
The Debate
📰 Valley News
Utah City keeps rising on the Vineyard lakefront
The massive Utah City development along the Vineyard shore of Utah Lake keeps climbing, with new buildings and streets going in on what used to be the old Geneva Steel land. It is shaping into a walkable downtown for one of the fastest-growing towns in the state. The lakeside trail connections are part of the plan.
Cave tour season is running in American Fork Canyon
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is deep into its summer tour season up American Fork Canyon. The hike to the cave entrance is steep and paved, and the tours book out on hot weekends. It is one of the county's classic summer outings once the snow clears.
Keep respecting the water in every canyon
The rivers and creeks coming out of Provo Canyon and American Fork Canyon are still running cold and fast this time of year. The pools below waterfalls look inviting but the current and the temperature are dangerous. Keep kids and dogs back from the edges when you head up.
💙 Good Neighbor
Nominate the Valley's quiet MVPs
Every issue we spotlight one neighbor, teacher, coach, or cause quietly making the Valley better, plus an easy way to pitch in. Know someone who deserves it? Send them our way.
Nominate a neighbor →That's the midweek mix. Catch The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Hale in Pleasant Grove, grab a Friday movie on the lawn at Ashton Gardens, and let the kids run the Highland splash pad before the heat peaks.
Tell us what we missed. Reply with the events, openings, and good-neighbor stories your corner of the Valley should know about.
Forward this to the neighbor who always asks what's going on this week. That's what we're for.
— The Provo FOMO crew
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Read past issues · Refer a neighbor · Advertise with us