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SALT LAKE CITY — Summer offers ample opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Why not do it with a group of like-minded people?
At these music and outdoor recreation-related festivals in and around Utah, connect with other individuals who enjoy the things you do while doing the things you like to do:
Great Salt Lake Floating Festival/World Record Attempt
Magna, Utah
June 8
Meet other world-record seekers at The Great Saltair on June 8 at 10 a.m. to flock the saline waters of the Great Salt Lake and experience “floating” caused by the salt, according to Visit Salt Lake. Participants will be trying to set the world record for the number of people floating in an unassisted line at one time.
Utah Blues Festival
Salt Lake City, Utah
June 14-15
The fifth annual Utah Blues Festival is dedicated to increasing awareness of the uniquely American art of Blues music, according to their website. They will showcase both local and national Blues artists at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City.
Park City SUP Festival
Jordanelle Reservoir, Wasatch County
June 22-23
This two-day event, celebrating its eighth year, provides music, lunch and opportunities to learn more about stand-up paddling, according to their website. There will also be great vendors present with stand-up paddleboarding gear.
Bryce Canyon Annual Astronomy Festival
Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County
June 26-29
Attendees to this event, Bryce Canyon’s 19th annual Astronomy Festival, will experience astronomy-themed programs and activities throughout the day and night, according to their website. They will also have Dr. Amber Straughn, NASA’s associate director of Astrophysics Science there as the keynote speaker.
Adventure and Gear Fest
Snowbird, Salt Lake County
June 28-30
Utah’s largest interactive adventure festival and outdoor gear sale will provide demos, films, clinics, on-mountain events, photography, music and 130-plus local vendors, according to their website.
International Climbers' Festival
Lander, Wyoming
July 10-14
Commute to Lander, Wyoming, for the International Climbers' Festival, where participants can enter contests, learn from clinics, enjoy a mini film festival, explore an art crawl, listen to music, and enjoy Adidas and Five Ten keynote speakers, according to their website.
Bryce Canyon Annual Geology Festival
Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County
July 26-27
The GeoFest at Bryce Canyon will run for two full days, providing park rangers for guided hikes, geology programs, bus tours with geologists, and special guest speakers, according to their website.
Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Iron County
July
During the first few weeks of July each summer, Cedar Breaks celebrates its annual wildflower bloom, according to its website. Go on a guided hike with a specialist or utilize a wildflower checklist and set off on your own to identify flowers.
Bear Lake Raspberry Days
Bear Lake, Utah
Aug. 1-3
In the first three days of August, Bear Lake residents will be celebrating the harvest of their famous raspberries, according to their website. There will be a parade, rodeo, craft fair, live concerts, a pancake breakfast, a 5K run, a golf tournament, dancing, fireworks and a boat light parade.
Downieville Classic
Downieville, California
Aug. 1-4
Grab your mountain bike and drive out to Downieville, California, to experience the Downieville Classic. This event hosts a weekend bike festival and a cross-country race where participants can ride the epic 26.5-mile ride to the Sierra Crest and back, or ride 15 miles of the Downieville Downhill, which is in the All Mountain World Championships, according to their website. The festival portion boasts food, films, marketplaces and clinics.
Heber Outdoor Festival
Midway
Aug. 3
The Heber Outdoor Festival tries to embody all aspects of outdoor recreation both in the Heber Valley and other Utah cities, according to their website. There will be a lot of fly fishing competitions, as well as vendor booths, live music and food.
International Folk Festival
Sandy
Aug. 24
Held at the Sandy Amphitheater, this free festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary by bringing folk groups from around Utah to perform music from around the world, according to their website.
Did we miss any big, outdoor-related events in Utah this summer? Let us know in the comments.
