Events to celebrate Canyonlands' 50th Birthday

Events to celebrate Canyonlands' 50th Birthday

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SALT LAKE CITY — Canyonlands National Park was created on Sept. 12, 1964, thus preserving over 300,000 acres of unique and spectacular canyons, formations, rivers and ancient Pueblo sites. It was Utah's 3rd national park and it is still Utah's largest.

Friends of of Arches and Canyonlands Parks have partnered with the National Park Service, Moab Area Travel Council and others to celebrate Canyonlands' half-century with a series of special events. These events will be held throughout the summer with the main celebrations to be held Sept. 11 to 13.

A special reunion for employees and alumni of Canyonlands National Park is planned for Sept. 11 to 13. Attendees will have the opportunity to see old friends and colleagues, share oral histories and donate photos, videos, meeting notes or other historical park-related documents to the archives. To RSVP or find more information, visit www.canyonlands50.org/alumni.

Here is a list of special events happening throughout the summer. Find details about all events at www.canyonlands50.org/events.

July

Community Artists in the Park Art Show

The Moab Arts and Recreation Center will feature selected works celebrating Canyonlands from all of the Community Artists in the Parks since 2009. There will be a special reception on Saturday July 5 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the MARC in Moab.

Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild - Impressions of Canyonlands

Museum of Moab — Quilts honoring Canyonlands will be displayed at the museum during the last two weeks of July through the special reception on Saturday Aug. 2 from 6 – 9 p.m.

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August**Utah Symphony Mighty 5 Tour Free Concerts** - Free classical music concerts under the stars. Visit the Utah Symphony for more information.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 13 7:30 p.m. — Music in the Parks: Chamber Ensemble Performance at the Visitors Center, Arches National Park – Kathryn Eberle Quartet, Dvorak’s American String Quartet.7:30 PM – Music in the Parks: Chamber Ensemble Performance at Dead Horse Point State Park.
  • Thursday, Aug. 14 8 p.m. — Concert at Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab. Tickets are required. September**Moab Music Festival Free Concert**

A free concert for the community: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Canyonlands National Park on Sept. 1. Free admission at Swanny Park, Moab, 2:00 p.m.

Museum of Moab — Special Canyonlands Exhibit

Here is a list of events planned for the anniversary weekend of Sept. 11 to 13. All are welcome and admission is free, but an RSVP is requested for some of the events and donations are gratefully accepted. RSVP and find additional information for events at www.canyonlands50.org/events.

Sept. 11

Historic Canyonlands Film Festival — Star Hall in Moab from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free with donations to the Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks appreciated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Canyonlands National Park Employee/Alumni Gathering — Grand Center in Moab at 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP requested.

Sept. 12

Commemorative Ceremony — Needles District Canyonlands National Park from 3 to 8 p.m. Attendance is limited and RSVP is requested.

Canyonlands National Park Employee/Alumni Gathering — Grand Center in Moab from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP requested.

Sept. 13

Community Picnic in the Park — Old City Park in Moab from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food will be available for purchase or bring your own. Expect stories, music, Dutch oven cooking demonstration and desserts. RSVP requested.

Canyonlands Art Contest Reception and Awards — Moab Arts and Recreation Center in Moab from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Historic Canyonlands Film Festival — Star Hall in Moab from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free with donations to the Friends of Arches and Canyonlands Parks appreciated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees are encouraged to make lodging arrangements early as hotels and camp sites can fill quickly. For fans of Canyonlands, old and new, these events are a great opportunity to celebrate the park's legacy and preservation for the generations to come.


Allison Laypath is an expert on family travel and author of the family travel blog tipsforfamilytrips.com. With her family, Allison especially enjoys road trips, national parks and local field trips. Email Allison at allison@tipsforfamilytrips.com.

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