Payson goes Scottish, Mapleton throws Pioneer Days, MOANA lights up the SCERA Shell
Plus a wildfire flares near Pelican Point, pupusas in Orem worth the drive.
Good morning, Happy Valley.
Bagpipes and caber tosses take over Payson's Memorial Park this weekend for the Scottish Festival, and it is the loudest, most fun thing on the calendar.
Mapleton kicks off Pioneer Days at the city park, MOANA plays big under the stars at the SCERA Shell in Orem, and there is a wildfire crews are watching near Pelican Point in Saratoga Springs.
Here is everything worth doing before Monday.
๐ 30 seconds in the valleyโฑ๏ธ 5 min read
- ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟPayson Scottish Festival, bagpipes and caber toss all weekend
- ๐ค Mapleton Pioneer Days kicks off at the city park
- ๐ฌDisney's MOANA on the big SCERA Shell screen, Orem
- โจ๏ธFifth Water Hot Springs is running milky-blue up Diamond Fork
- ๐ซPupuseria Sarita in Orem, the loroco pupusa is the move
โญ The Big One
Worth it Payson Scottish Festival takes over Memorial Park
Payson's Scottish Festival lands at Memorial Park this weekend with Highland games, massed bagpipes, Celtic music, clan tents, food, and the caber toss you have to see once.
Our take
This is the kind of weekend event you drag the whole family to and everyone remembers. Kilts, sheepdog demos, huge men throwing telephone poles, and pipe bands you can hear from the parking lot. Payson does it every summer and it keeps growing.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Daily hours and the athletics schedule can shift year to year, so confirm times on the event page before you drive down.
$ familiesmusicunique
๐ฐ Around the Valley
Wildfire flares near Pelican Point in Saratoga Springs
A wildfire started near Pelican Point on the west side of Utah Lake by Saratoga Springs, and crews moved in fast to keep it away from homes. This stretch of dry grass and brush lights up quick in July heat. If you live on the west side, keep an eye on smoke and give crews room to work.
Utah City keeps rising on the Vineyard lakefront
The huge Utah City project on Vineyard's Utah Lake shoreline keeps adding buildings, streets, and lakefront pieces. It is set to become one of the biggest walkable districts in the county over the next several years. Drivers around Vineyard will keep seeing crews and closures as it fills in.
๐ This Week
Family Festival
Worth it
๐ค Mapleton Pioneer Days
Mapleton's summer city celebration at the city park with community events, games, and small-town fun.
Our take
If Payson feels big, Mapleton is the mellow neighbor version. Easy, free, and the kind of thing you walk to if you are close.โ ๏ธ Heads up: The full daily lineup posts on the event page, confirm times before heading over.
Free familiesfreecommunity
Movie Night
Worth it
๐ฌ Disney's MOANA at the SCERA Shell
The animated Disney hit MOANA on the big outdoor screen under the Wasatch at the SCERA Shell in Orem.
Our take
A cheap, easy summer night the kids will beg for. Sing-along energy under the stars beats a hot living room.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Screen dates rotate, confirm the MOANA showtime on the SCERA calendar before you pack the car.
$ familiesmoviescheap
Under the Stars
Worth it
๐ธ Imaginaria at Ashton Gardens
The nighttime lights-and-art walk winding through Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
Our take
A slow, pretty evening stroll through glowing gardens. Nice date night or a mellow family walk once the sun drops.โ ๏ธ Heads up: It is an after-dark event with timed entry, confirm your night and ticket before you drive up.
$$ date nightfamiliesevening
Kids' Theater
Worth it
๐ง Finding Neverland, Pleasant Grove
The stage musical FINDING NEVERLAND performed by the Liahona Theater for the Community in Pleasant Grove.
Our take
Community theater doing a big-hearted show. The story of how Peter Pan got dreamed up holds kids and grown-ups both.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Performance dates and times vary, confirm on the event page before you head to Pleasant Grove.
$ familiestheater
๐ด Eat & Drink
Worth it Pupuseria Sarita, Orem
Salvadoran spot on State Street doing pupusas in a bunch of fillings: revuelta, frijol, chicharron, loroco, and asada, served with curtido and salsa.
Our take
Handmade pupusas hot off the griddle for cheap. Bring cash-happy energy and eat one more than you planned to.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Small local kitchen, hours can vary, so call or check before a late lunch run.
$ cheap eatsfamilyhidden gem
๐ก Hidden Gem
Cool find
Peaks Ice Arena, Provo
A 2002 Winter Olympics hockey venue with two Olympic-size sheets of ice and year-round public skate sessions, no reservation needed.
Our take
Most people forget Provo has an actual Olympic ice sheet you can skate on any day. On a 95-degree afternoon, an hour on the ice is the smartest cool-off in the county.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Public skate times shift with hockey and events, confirm the session before you drive over.
$ familiesdate nightindoor
โจ๏ธ Hike of the Week
Pick of the week Fifth Water Hot Springs, Diamond Fork
A moderate 4.6-mile out-and-back along a creek that turns milky blue near the end, leading to terraced soaking pools around 100 degrees and a waterfall.
Our take
The payoff is that milky-blue creek and the warm terraced pools with a waterfall at the top. It is a real hike, so treat it like one and pack water and shoes you can get wet.โ ๏ธ Heads up: Water temps vary and the pools can be busy, confirm the trailhead and road are open before you drive out.
Free hikersdate nightunique
๐๏ธ Also Happening
๐ง Frozen the Musical
Live stage musical Friday and this week at Lehi High School Auditorium in Lehi.
๐จ Explorers League Summer Camp
Hands-on summer camp days this week at Hutchings Museum in Lehi.
๐ช Drop-n-Decorate Cookie Kit
Grab a July cookie decorating kit this week at Baking Me Crazy in Provo.
The Debate
๐ฐ Valley News
Keep respecting the water in every canyon right now
Creeks and rivers up Provo Canyon and American Fork Canyon are still running cold and fast this month. The water looks pretty but it moves harder than it seems, especially near falls. Keep little kids and dogs back from the edges at spots like Bridal Veil Falls.
A Target and Life Time district is coming to north Lehi
North Lehi has a new shopping and fitness district in the works anchored by a Target and a Life Time athletic club. It is another sign of how fast the north end of the county is filling in near the tech corridor. Locals will get more shopping and gym options without driving to the point of the mountain.
Cave tour season is running in American Fork Canyon
Timpanogos Cave National Monument is in its summer season, with ranger-led tours up the steep trail to the caves. Tickets go fast on nice weekends and the hike up is real work. Book ahead online and give yourself the full morning if you want to go.
๐ 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 โThat's the weekend. Catch the bagpipes at Payson's Memorial Park, spread a blanket for MOANA at the SCERA Shell, and start early if you are hiking up to Fifth Water.
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 weekend. That's what we're for.
โ The Provo FOMO crew
Got a tip, a new opening, or an event? Just reply โ we read everything.
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