By Christy Jepson | [email protected] 

In connection with Bluffdale’s Old West Days on Aug. 6–11, the city is also celebrating its 40th birthday by adding birthday-themed activities throughout the week. Ending the week will be the biggest “Family Shindig” concert the city has ever had. 

“The birthday celebration is to help us remember those who worked so hard to make our community what it was, is, and will be,” said Connie Pavlakis, community events coordinator for Bluffdale. “It is a unique opportunity for new residents and old residents alike to gain an appreciation for the way our city has formed and the unique atmosphere we have here.” 

The Saturday night “Family Shindig” concert and firework show is sure to be a favorite this year, as Eclipse 6 and Carver Louis will be the preshow performers before the main Grammy Award-winning country group Diamond Rio. 

“This concert promises to be the best our community has had,” said Pavlakis. “Bluffdale residents are already sharing their excitement and anticipation with us. We can’t do something this big every year, so we hope all our residents will come out and enjoy it.” 

Throughout the week, residents have a chance to win a limited edition birthday challenge coin by attending seven birthday bash events, starting on July 27 and going through Aug. 11. Residents can pick up a birthday card at any of the birthday bash events and earn a sticker for each event they attend. Each sticker is worth 10 points. When their card has 40 points, from at least four different events, they can take their card to the Deck of the Old West Bank between 11 a.m. and noon on Saturday, Aug. 11. Only the first 100 people with their card filled will be eligible to win the challenge coins.  

The birthday bash events are: 

            *Old West Days Rodeo (July 27–28, online ticket prices are $6 each or a family of six package is $30; at=the-gate tickets are $8 each or $42 for the family                           package)

            *The Bluffdale Arts Advisory Board play “Swing” (Aug. 2–4, online ticket prices are $8, $10 at the door)

            *Family Fun Night (Aug. 6, free)

            *Family Fun Rodeo (Aug. 7, free)

            *Old West Car Show (Aug. 9, free)

            *Monster Truck Tour (Aug 10, online tickets are $10 or a family of six package is $50; at-the-gate prices tickets are $12 or a family package for six is $60)

            *Lions Club Breakfast (Aug. 11, $2 for 12 years and under, $3 for 13                                              years and older)      

According to Pavlakis, the birthday celebration coin was designed by a new volunteer, Clint Lantz. The coin shows the evolving history of Bluffdale. The original idea of having a challenge coin came from one of Bluffdale’s own firefighters, Matt Evans. 

Throughout the birthday celebration, there will also be birthday bash bingo happening Saturday, Aug. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Bluffdale City Park under the big tent by the inflatables. This event is for anyone 13 years and older. That same day, there will also be a 40-door-prize giveaway in honor of the city’s 40th birthday. There is no cost to pick up entry tickets, but they must be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the local artisan’s showcase in the livery. The drawing will then take place at the Databank Showcase Stage at 5:30 p.m. Residents must be present to win their prizes.

Other activities during Old West Days and the birthday celebration week include: SuperHero and Princess Activity, Night Out Against Crime, Fun in the Foam, FamilyFun Rodeo, Old West Pickleball Round Up, ATV Rodeo and Mud Bog, Chalk Art Sketchin, 25-mile cycling ride, Vendor Market Scavenger Hunt, Monster Truck Insanity Tour, Parade, Youth Challenge Night, Vendor Market and Midway Games. 

According to Mayor Derk Timothy, over the past 40 years Bluffdale has gone from a very small rural town of 1,300 people to a city of 14,000 people. 

“The city has gone from having no city hall to city hall being housed in a small fire station to sharing space in a nice fire station to a new city hall we can be proud of,” said Timothy.   

In 1858, the famous Orrin Porter Rockwell paid $500 for land near the Point of the Mountain where he built the Hot Springs Brewery Hotel. At its peak, this land included a Pony Express station, a hotel that offered food for travelers, a stable and a brewery. But it wasn’t until four years later when Jens and Rise Madsen became the first permanent settlers in the area in 1862. Four years after they moved to the area, the train ran through Bluffdale in 1886. Bluffdale City was incorporated in Oct. 13, 1978.

For more information regarding Old West Days or the 40th birthday celebration, visit its website at www.bluffdaleoldwestdays.com./

 

*Construction Note: There is a lot of road construction near the events, and it will be best if residents can enter Bluffdale City Park on 14400 South from 2700 West. There is plenty of public parking on 2700 West. Try to avoid the area of 14400 South between Redwood Road and 2200 West which may be closed to through traffic. It would be best if you are coming from the south end of Bluffdale to use 15000 South to 2200 West or 2700 West. *