News
Providence Founders' Day Heritage Arts, Music & Storytelling Festival
Providence Founders’ Day HAMS Festival
(Salt Lake Art Lovers Take the Bus)
Art lovers from all over Greater Salt Lake are invited to climb aboard in search of HAMS. Okay, we’re not looking for an Easter dinner. “HAMS” is the “Heritage Arts Music & Stories” Festival being held in Providence, Utah on Friday and Saturday, April 20th and 21st. It’s part of their Providence Founder’s Day celebration, centered at the Old Rock Church (10 South Main Street) starting at 6:00 PM on Friday and running all day Saturday.
And you certainly don’t have to arrive by bus. It’s open to the public. And it promises to be a day and a half full of fun for the entire family. The festival will focus on a “Heritage Art” exposition of visual art, furniture, games, tools and more. There will be a visual art painting competition between some of the best artists in the entire state – you’ll want to come just to see these talented folks compete for cash prizes as they capture scenes that play out before your eyes.
But there’s much more! There will be pioneer era and pioneer-inspired music, storytelling, costumed re-enactors, and pioneer games. There’s a heritage concert including a short children’s pageant, and heritage foods will be provided by local caterers. There’s even a pioneer community dance. It’s a Founder’s Day celebration in its purest sense.
But there’s even more in store if you ride the bus. This is a guided tour in a beautiful motor coach on a two-day excursion exploring some of northern Utah’s finest scenery, history, and art. You’ll see the mural at the American West Heritage Center as you never have before, described by artist, Trent Gudmundsen. And all along the way, the history of northern Utah’s settlement (through the 1855 expedition into Cache Valley) will be unfolded by tour guide, Mary Ellen Elggren. You’ll stay at the picturesque Historic Providence Inn and tour historic homes in this charming National Historic District. All your meals are provided and there’s a Dutch Oven Dinner on Friday, and a celebration dinner Saturday before your return trip to Salt Lake City.
The bus tour is being provided by Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts - $110 plus lodging (rooms at the Providence Inn vary in price from $129 to $229 double occupancy, $30 less for single occupancy, plus 9.6% room tax. But we have negotiated a 10% discount for the festival weekend, which more than offsets all room taxes). Departure and return point(s) will be determined by reserved passenger locations. To schedule, call Clive Romney – 801-706-1997 or Mary Ellen Elggren – 801-541-6937.
Providence Founders' Day 1K Hoop Trundling Race April 21st
Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts is proud to join with Runners North to sponsor the first annual Providence Founders' Day 1k Hoop Trundling Race Saturday, April 21st at 9:30 a.m. in Providence, Utah. Race registration ($20) includes your own trundling hoop and two different styles of trundling stick. To register contact:
- Runners North
- 555 W 100 N Suite D, Providence, UT
- (435) 755-5706
Quarterly Breakfast Social Saturday, March 24th, 9 a.m.
"Stories Utah's Artful Gravestones Tell"
Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts Quarterly Breakfast Social
Saturday, March 24th
9 - 10:30 a.m.
1258 W. Pitchfork Road, Murray, UT
$6 guests, free to members
RSVP by March 21 - 5:00 PM
It began with a 1979 contract to photograph and document gravestone rubbings donated to the state of Utah. And 33 years later, Carol Edison is still hooked. She's writing a book about it!
Come see and hear the stories that Carol has discovered in her fascinating presentation, "Stories Utah's Artful Gravestones Tell."
Carol Edison was Utah Folk Arts Program Manager for many years, and has a vast knowledge and deep love for Utah’s folk arts. Learn how her gravestone art research ties to one of Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts' primary tasks -- to preserve and create art that honors Utah's pioneer past. Gain insights into the stone carvers who used this art form. Be energized by Carol's passion for the art and its ties to our present.
To RSVP, Call Bonnie at 801-209-8109 or Clive at 801-706-1997 to RSVP, or email clive@upharts.org.
Please note that we have shifted off the 5th Saturday this time only to avoid conflict with LDS General Conference.
Story Road Utah - The Sandy Episode available for Purchase
The Sandy episode of Story Road Utah is now available for purchase from the Products section of the website.
This episode includes songs honoring Thomas Hill Allsop, Alexander "Sandy" Kinghorn, and Elsie Wheeler.
