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The HPCA calender of summer events includes:
June 12-Sept. 25, every Sunday except Aug. 7 (Park Silly Sunday Market) : An eco-friendly, open-air market and street festival.
June 24 (Bark ‘n’ Art Gallery Stroll) : Locals and visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs on a stroll while touring art exhibits.
June 25 (Savor the Summit) : Park City’s longest dinner party is a unique celebration of food, drink and live music.
July 4 (Traditional 4th of July) : A traditional parade with entertainment throughout the day.
July 7-10 (Park City Food and Wine Classic) : Masters of food and wine come together with distinguished guests to celebrate their craft.
July 29 (Park City Gallery Stroll) : The last Friday of every month acclaimed artists are showcased on a free gallery stroll.
Aug. 5-7 (Park City Kimball Arts Festival) : More than 230 artists are showcased along Main Street. 49,500 people attended in 2010.
Aug. 9 (Tour of Utah – Prologue) : A six-day road bike event that brings world-class cyclists together in what’s become “America’s Toughest Stage Race.”
By Zach Petersen
Food, drink and stunning art are commodities that residents of Park City are accustomed to.
Park City is the home to Olympic Park, high-end resorts and “the best snow on earth,” but what some don’t know is it also hosts the best art exhibits in the area … oh, and the food is great too.
Alison Butz, executive director of the Historic Park City Alliance (HPCA), said Park City is the perfect location for such unique events.
“Historic Park City is a staple for locals and visitors,” Butz said in a news release. “It’s an ideal setting to host large events and accommodate a lot of foot traffic. Because of its accessibility and variety of independent shops and businesses, thousands of people visit the Historic District during the summer.”
Established in 1990, the HPCA was created to promote, enhance and encourage engaging activities and a thriving environment that benefit the businesses in the historic Main Street area of Park City, according to a news release.
Park City was made famous in the 1860s through silver mining. Today, Utah’s tourism hot spot attracts visitors for much more.
According to Ogden resident Gayanne Babcock, Park City has much to offer.
“There is such a variety of shops and the better deals,” Babcock said. “For example at the Lucky Outlet you can get Lucky’s for $42 versus $110 at the mall. There are really great deals and it’s beautiful there. There’s hiking, biking and just being in the mountains. I don’t like the cold so I like going in the summer.”
The Historic District of Park City is located 35 miles from Salt Lake City and is easily accessible from Interstate 80.
Today, it sprouts a collection of fine dining restaurants, unique boutiques and occasionally a mining town ghost. Best of all, Park City is close.
“We’re in your backyard and the one thing that we can guarantee you is that you’ll have a good time,” Butz said. “There’s something for everyone.”
After a devastating fire in 1898, Park City had to be rebuilt from scratch, said Jenette Purdy, curator of education at the Park City Museum.
“It was a booming silver-mining town in 1898,” Purdy said. “After the fire they started rebuilding right away. The mines were still in operation in the ’50s and ’60s, but the economy was pretty depressed. The first ski resort opened in 1963. That was the beginning of the Park City we see today. The Olympics really propelled it into the resort town that it is today.”
Throughout the summer, acclaimed artists will display their work in Park City. One art event is the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, where more than 230 exhibits will be showcased.
“Last year 49,500 people attended and this year we hope for more than 55,000,” said Irene Cho, Kimball Arts Center director of communications.
Many of the organizations have made preparations to go above and beyond to make 2011 bigger and better.
“We’ve planned an expanded social media campaign and we’re working with group buying sites such as Livingsocial.com,” Cho said. “We’re advertising in Las Vegas, continuing a media blitz in southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. We’ve expanded the kids art area and this year are offering the KSL-5TV Kids Broadcasting Booth.”
Historic Park City hosts more than 250 shops, restaurants, resort and cultural activities, art galleries and signature events. It is the heart and soul of the mountain town that today is often host to Olympic athletes and celebrities.
