News & Press Coverage
Millcreek Residents Celebtrate Graffiti Art & Outdoors Recreation
Millcreek Township (Salt Lake City), May 1, 2007, by Aimee McConkie
SALT LAKE COUNTY - Millcreek residents can rejoice once again now that the Venture Outdoors Festival has returned for it’s second annual event. The Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16 from 3-9 p.m. at Canyon Rim Park (2900 E. 3100 S.). Because of last year’s success, this year’s event will be even bigger and more exciting.
To welcome attendees, Venture Outdoors Festival will display 48-feet of graffiti art showcasing various festival activities.
“This is a unique and an imaginative way of exhibiting outdoor adventure,” said Cynthia Stone, a festival co-chair. “We decided to do something big and visual to show what the festival is all about.”
The free, family friendly event includes various activities for kids including a navigation treasure hunt, crafts, kid’s race and a 40-foot giant slide. Other clinics will range from leisurely to heart-pumping, exhilarating sports.
“We want to ensure we have something for everyone, at every age, and every ability,” said Stone. “We hope by exposing festival guests to these unique clinics they will be excited to explore the outdoors and live a more active lifestyle.”
Over 40 clinics will inform and demonstrate recreation amenities available in Utah. Clinics include using garden herbs for healthy cooking with Joy in the Garden host Joy Bossi, a skateboard competition from Milosport, Archery training, kiteboarding demonstrations, fly-fishing techniques and a discussion with world record holding Mount Everest climbers.
Some recreation clinics will teach kids and parents basic principles of ‘leaving no trace behind’ camping, and other clinics will teach the importance of maintaining and protecting our wilderness resources.
“We want people to explore the outdoors and learn how to leave minimal impact so everyone can enjoy Utah’s beautiful outdoor resources,” said Stone.
Live music from groups such as Kalai, Salty Rootz and the Incendiary Circus will also provide entertainment sure to amuse all. Food vendors will also be present, but guests better eat early, last year nearly all food vendors sold out.
To ensure all Millcreek Township is involved, Venture Outdoors will host “Venture Activities,” in the morning, before the festival, to encourage all residents to enjoy outdoor recreation. Fill-the-Ark 5K Race, Millcreek Bike Rodeo, a guided nature hike up Millcreek Canyon, and a Healthy Living Fair for older adults are morning activities planed for June 16.
The festival is designed to build community awareness for residents of Millcreek Township and promote active living. It hopes to achieve this by organizing community events. In 2008, Township residents will be surveyed on the future governance structure of their community.
“The problem is most residents don’t recognize they are part of the Millcreek Township, or understand that in 2008 they will have input on the future governance of their community,” said Stone.
The Millcreek Township hopes that residents will get excited about community issues and continue to build a strong identity.
“Thanks to the support of our sponsors Dan’s Food, St. Marks Hospital and American Family Credit Union this goal can be reached,” said Stone.
-Peter Carroon, Mayor
Salt Lake County, Utah
