The weather was no match for South Jordan’s annual Summerfest event held from May 30 to June 3. Kicking off this highly anticipated event on Tuesday, May 30 was the parade preview held at Highland Park, a new addition to the Summerfest line-up. In an effort to extend the fun to the west side of South Jordan, the preview gave the extended community an opportunity to view the city float as well as have a bite to eat from local food trucks and make and fly kites with none other than Mary Poppins.

Councilwoman Tamara Zander and Councilman Jason McGuire were glad to have a bit of the Summerfest fun and excitement happening to the west of Bangerter Highway.

“For me that’s what the kickoff to summer is all about, getting all of our residents coming out,” McGuire said. 

Both Zander and McGuire noted that the use of Highland Park, which is a city park and not a HOA park within Daybreak, for the addition of the parade preview was a great way to let all of the city know that the main event was coming.

One of those main events being the parade itself, which was held on Saturday, June 3. The route for the parade began at 2200 West and traveled down Park Road, through the City Park and finally ending at Redwood Road. The parade itself was greeted with sunny skies as well as parade Grand Marshall, Mike Haynes. A longtime resident of South Jordan, Haynes was selected by the city council to lead the parade. He is currently the executive director of the Jordan Education Foundation.

“It is fun every year to get that little booklet to see what’s coming and what’s going to happen,” Haynes said. “I think it does mean a lot to see a community come together.”

Haynes said that an event like Summerfest helps him to become reacquainted with old neighbors and friends, and is a great reason to get family together for a summer BBQ. 

The parade also featured local businesses from South Jordan and surrounding neighborhoods such as Orange Theory Fitness, Flake Pie Company, Mathnasium Learning Center and Chick-fil-A, as well as sports teams from Bingham High School.

One of the first groups to walk through the parade carrying a large 30 x 60 U.S. flag were volunteers for the Major Brent Taylor Foundation. Major Taylor was the former mayor in Ogden and was killed in action in November 2018.

Amber Marshall attended her very first Summerfest Parade. She and her family recently moved to Utah from the Las Vegas area. Her kids enjoyed collecting candy being passed out by those walking in the parade. Marshall noted how many family-friendly activities there were in the area, something she said she was excited for.

Summerfest was not short on activities for all audiences including a pickleball tournament on Friday evening, June 2, a 5k, ruck and kids race on the morning of June 3, a photo booth, chalk art competition, root beer garden, music festival, BMX demonstrations, carnival rides and more.  The event culminated with the ever-popular fireworks display on Saturday, June 3. 

Natalie Domino is the special events coordinator for the City of South Jordan and said that despite the weather, the event was a success in that it brought together a lot of the components that one might think of when they think of summer time such as sticky fingers from cotton candy, the carnival rides, and to end the whole event, the fireworks.

“[Summerfest] has all the good things about summer,” Domino said. 

For upcoming activities and events sign up for the city newsletter by visiting https://www.sjc.utah.gov/ λ