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Summer Guide 2024 Farmers Market Roundup
Where and when to go for local produce, arts and crafts
By Brandi Christoffersen
The sun is out and the temperatures are starting to rise. Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the many sights, scents and sounds of the season. It also heralds the return of the farmers market, with rows of blooming flowers, homemade delicacies and fresh fruits and vegetables.
As these outdoor bazaars are both functional and entertaining, we wanted to provide a short list of some of the most popular.
Downtown Farmers Market
(350 W. 700 South, SLC, Saturdays from June 1-Oct. 19, 8 a.m. -2 p.m., slcfarmersmarket.org)
This 33-year-old market has become a tradition for Salt Lakers. Located at Pioneer Park, customers will not only find a vast array of fruits, vegetables and flowers, but also a nice variety of grass-fed meats, eggs, honey and dairy. Locally crafted items like sauces, pastries and other baked goods are also plentiful.
Locals' tip: Check out the Art & Craft Market adjacent to the farmers market to find goodies, like jewelry, artwork, body products and other trinkets.
9th West Farmers Market
(1000 S. 900 West, SLC, Sundays, June 9-Oct. 8, 10 a.m. -3 p.m., facebook.com/peoplesmarket/)
This neighborhood market is all about cultivating a welcoming and diverse atmosphere. Located on the south side of Jordan Park, it's a place where customers can find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to artisan goods like eggs and honey.
Locals' tip: Anyone under the age of 18 can set up a vendor booth for only $5 and promote their wares. The vendor needs to only provide a week's notice prior to participating.
Wheeler Farm Farmers Market
(6351 S. 900 East, Murray, Sundays May 19-Oct. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., slco.org/wheeler-farm)
Located on the Wheeler Historic Farm, this legendary market not only features fresh summer produce, homemade items and baked goods, but also showcases a living farm and wagon rides.
Locals' tip: Ask about their farmhouse tours—very interesting and entertaining!
Utah Farm Bureau Farmers Market-Murray
(296 E. Murray Park Way, Murray, Fridays & Saturdays July 26-Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., utahfarmbureau.org/Utah-Farm-Bureau/Food/Farm-Bureau-Farmers-Markets)
Utah Farm Bureau Farmers Market-South Jordan
(1600 Towne Center Drive, South Jordan, Saturdays Aug. 3-Oct. 12, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., utahfarmbureau.org/Utah-Farm-Bureau/Food/Farm-Bureau-Farmers-Markets)
The purpose of the markets in Murray and South Jordan is to give Utah farmers direct-to-consumer access. That's why the markets are food-only (with select artisans featured at the South Jordan market.) They spotlight naturally grown local produce and pantry staples like fresh bread, jams and sauces.
Locals' tip: Take a screenshot of the Utah Produce Calendar, found on Farm Bureau's website, to identify what months each fruit or vegetable is in season.
West Valley Farmers Market
(5405 W. 3100 South, West Valley City, Thursdays June 20-Oct. 10, 5 p.m.-9 p.m., wvc-ut.gov/1700/Farmers-Market)
Customers can enjoy local entertainment as they pursue the multitude of booths offering delicious produce grown by local vendors. The lively market, located at Centennial Park, also promotes local food trucks and artisans.
Locals' tip: Bring the little ones along and let them get their face painted.
Sunnyvale Farmers Market
(4013 S. 700 West, SLC, Saturdays June 15-Oct. 12, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., newrootsslc.org/farmers-markets)
Redwood Farmers Market
(3005 Lester Street, Wednesdays June 19-Oct. 9, 4:30 p.m.-7 p.m., newrootsslc.org/farmers-markets)
These two markets are part of New Roots SLC, which highlights immigrant and refugee farmers and food businesses and offer locally-grown fruits and vegetables. The Sunnyvale Farmers Market extends free sack lunches to children and features a food pantry with non-perishable and household items.
Locals' tip: Both markets offer discounts to customers who shop with SNAP/EBT cards.
Farmers Market Ogden
(Historic 25th Street, Ogden, Saturdays May 25-Sept. 14, 8 a.m. -1 p.m., farmersmarketogden.com)
This is not just a farmers market, but a community event. Customers will enjoy the music of local talents as they stroll the endless booths filled with crisp and juicy produce, artisan goods and regional treasures. Homemade foods, beverages and treats will also delight the senses.
Locals' tip: Pack your mat and water bottle and join in with the free yoga class at the municipal park.
Provo Farmers Market
(500 W. Center St., Provo, Saturdays June 1-Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and Oct. 6-26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., provofarmersmarket.com)
Each Saturday in the summer and fall, downtown Provo lights up with excitement due to their city's farmer market. Customers will find a nice selection of local produce, as well as arts, crafts and family-friendly activities.
Locals' tip: Unlike many of the farmers markets in the area, Provo Farmers Market does allow dogs, provided that they are leashed and cleaned up after.
High Roads to Adventure
When the heat is on in Salt Lake City,
nearby mountains offer a cool reprieve.
By Aimee L. Cook
Utah's ski resorts aren't only about their legendary powder snow. In the summer, they become havens for hikers, bikers and picnickers. Nature lovers can amble through fields of gorgeous wildflowers, while concertgoers can sip a stein of beer and relax on a mountain slope listening to a great band. Or just play with gravity as it carries you through the forest on an alpine coaster or zipline. Mountain resorts were made for summer escapades.
Snowbird: An Adrenaline Playground
Take in the 360-degree views across valleys and peaks from Snowbird's newly constructed tram rooftop balconies, the only ones of their kind in the United States. Thrill-seekers can test their courage on the Mountain Coaster, zipping through twists and turns amid the alpine splendor. "Sled" down the slopes on the Alpine Slide, or glide among the treetops on the ZipWhipper. Two iconic activities not to be missed are the scenic tram rides and Oktoberfest. For those with littles, check out the Forever Young Boundless Playground; it is free and accessible to kids of all abilities.
9385 S. Snowbird Center Drive, Snowbird,
snowbird.com/summer-activities
Snowbasin: Where Trails Meet Tunes
A scenic ride on Needles Gondola opens to meandering trails and panoramic views of the Wasatch Range for lift-served hiking and biking. You'll have a scenic 26-mile network of more than 20 trails to explore on foot or by bike. Spend some time mastering the 18-hole mini golf course and plan ahead for the SnowWiesen Oktoberfest. The resort is also a hotspot (er, cool spot?) for music lovers, with the Snowbasin Blues, Brews & BBQ concert series that fills the valley with soulful tunes.
3925 E. Snowbasin Road, Huntsville, 801-620-1100,
snowbasin.com
Solitude: A Local Favorite
Shred epic trails in the mountain bike park, designed by Gravity Logic, with options for every skill level from beginner cruisers to gravity-defying pros. Laceup your boots to hike alpine meadows and forests. Put your aim to the test on the challenging disc golf course; starting at 9,000 feet, the 18-basket course is perfect for a friendly-family competition or a solo Zen session. Bring the kiddos to Adventure Park, featuring zip lines, climbing walls and a bungee trampoline. Unwind after a day of adventure with weekly live music, free at Solitude Village.
12000 Big Cottonwood Canyon, Solitude, 801-536-5786,
solitudemountain.com/discover-solitude/summer
Deer Valley: Elegance in the Wild
Deer Valley retains its elegant charm in the summer, with lift-served mountain biking and guided historical hikes that reveal the area's mining past. Stand-up paddleboard yoga is offered on the serene Snow Park pond, and the renowned Deer Valley Music Festival (deervalleymusicfestival.org) and Deer Valley Concert Series provide both classical and pop performances at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Enjoy a pre-concert entrée from the seasonal menus at the Brass Tag and the Royal Street Café. For a more laid-back meal, visit the Deer Valley Grocery Café. The Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival is a must for beer enthusiasts, as is the Hops on the Hill series
(7700 Stein Way, Park City, 435-645- 6455,
steinlodge.com/hops-on-the-hill)
on the deck of the Stein Eriksen Lodge. 2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City, 435-649-1000,
deervalley.com/discover-deer-valley/summer
Park City Mountain: Events for Every Passion
In summer, cyclists love coming to Park City Mountain for its more than 150 miles of winding paths, some of which are lift-served. Bike rentals are also available. Discover the thrill of the 3,000-foot downhill ride on the Alpine slide or take a seat on the two-person Flying Eagle zip line and enjoy views of the town below. Scenic lift rides and disc golf are also family favorites in the summer, as are the farmers' markets on Wednesdays. Thursday and Saturday nights bring musical acts for the free summer concert series in Canyons Village.
Two locations: Park City Village and Canyons Village, 435-649-8111,
parkcitymountain.com/explore-the-resort/ activities/summer-activities
Sundance: Easy Rider
In summer, trade your skis for fly rods and cast a line in the Provo River, teeming with trout and rustic scenery. Explore the Wasatch Range on foot, choosing from 20 miles of diverse hiking trails. Bike riders enjoy more than 25 miles of lift-serviced, single-track mountain biking trails that offer an exhilarating descent. Sundance's ZipTour, with more than 2,100 feet of vertical drop, is among the nation's highest. Saddle up for a horseback ride led by experienced guides. Beyond outdoor adventure, Sundance transforms into a cultural hub in the summer. Enjoy theater performances in the intimate setting of the Sundance Summer Theatre or tap your foot to live outdoor concerts, ranging from jazz and bluegrass to folk and indie rock.
8841 N. Alpine Loop Road, Sundance, 801-225-4107,
sundanceresort.com
Heber Valley: Adventure for Days
All aboard! Take a ride on the family-friendly Heber Valley Historic Railroad (450 S. 600 West, 435-654-5601, Heber City, hebertrain.com). The train departs several times a day, meandering 16 miles through farmlands, along the bucolic Provo River, and along mountain foothills to the west bank of Deer Creek Reservoir. Unleash your wild side and tackle the Provo River with your raft, kayak, tube and stand-up paddleboard. Or else join the ranks of elite anglers in the pursuit of Utah trout in any number of creeks in the area. Book a guide at a company like Fish Heads Fly Shop (32 S. Main, Heber City, 435-657-2010, fishheadsflyshop.com) to get you to the most bountiful fishing holes. Venture into Midway (aka "Little Switzerland") to discover the geothermal hot springs of the Utah Crater at Homestead Farm (700 N. Homestead Drive, Midway, 435-657-3840, utahcrater.com). There, you can swim, snorkel, take a paddle board yoga class or just enjoy a nice soak. Cheese lovers should be sure to stop in at Heber Valley Artisan Cheese (920 River Road, Midway, 435-654-0291, hebervalleyartisancheese.com), home of farm-made cheese. It is as good as it sounds. gohebervalley.com
Mystic Hot Springs: Soak Off the Dust
Just 150 miles south of Salt Lake City, in Monroe, you'll find a nostalgic escape radiating with hippie spirit. At Mystic Hot Springs, vintage cast iron bathtubs and a concrete pool offer relaxation and rural views from the hillside overlooking the valley. With water rich in calcium carbonate, you'll enjoy an odorless and rejuvenating soak. Summer evenings, you might catch a concert under the stars or a meteor shower. Afterward, indulge in a trance-inducing massage. If you decide to stay overnight, you can cozy up in one of their pioneer cabins or a converted school bus. 475 E. 100 North, Monroe, mystichotsprings.com
Blue Skies!
Go ahead and jump! Why? I don't know why—but those who do say things like, "I wish I'd done this sooner" and want to do it again. The skilled instructors at Skydive Utah (4647 N. Airport Road, Erda, 435-833-9999, skydiveutah.com) and Skydive the Wasatch (2001 N. Airport Road, Nephi, 385-321-0284, skydivethewasatch.com) will make it happen—safely! If that's too much air, try iFly (2261 Kiesel Ave., Ogden, 801-528-5348, iflyutah. com), an indoor flying experience simulating a skydive free fall using a wind-tunnel technology. Thrilling!
—By Kass Wood
Editor's note: The above feature originally appeared in the 2024 Salt Lake City Guide.