The Central Utah Water Conservancy District hosted its annual Summer Festival on Saturday at the Central Utah Gardens in Orem.
The festival attracted nearly 1,000 members of the community and featured tours of the gardens, a live broadcast of the KSL Greenhouse Show with Larry Sagers, children’s activities, classes and workshops, live music and food. Representatives from local nurseries were present to help educate people on water conservation and landscaping.
“We invited local vendors here to sell water-efficient plants,” said Casey Finlinson, assistant conservation horticulturist at the gardens. This contributes to their mission of helping community members conserve natural resources. According to the Central Utah Gardens website, the average homeowner uses 60 percent of his or her water to irrigate lawns and gardens.
The festival was completely funded through the district. The Central Utah Gardens opened in May 2007 and has seen increased attendance each year. Free gardening classes are offered from February to May and are open to the public. Throughout the summer, two free concerts will be held each month at the amphitheater located at the gardens.
Through community events and classes, the district wants to contribute to the beautification of the community while maintaining water-efficiency. According to its website, “Central Utah Water Conservancy District has created the gardens to support its commitment to conservation and to encourage an ethic that promotes responsible management of our water resources within the community.”
The next major event for the Central Utah Gardens is the annual Pumpkin Walk, featuring a pumpkin-carving contest, scheduled for Oct. 29. Family activities will also be available. For more information on the event and contest details, email or visit the gardens’ website at centralutahgardens.org.
