By Rachel Aubrey | [email protected]

On April 3, cars flooded the South Jordan Equestrian Park grounds from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. to drive through the Spring Spectacular, hosted by the City of South Jordan and the South Jordan Arts Council. Due to COVID-19, this year’s Spring Spectacular was held as a drive-thru to ensure safe distancing of participants and entertainers.

In what proved to be a true community affair, and despite the change from years previous, parents drove through at a slow pace as children stood through sun roofs and waved out the windows to entertainers. Because the event was held a day before Easter, an Easter bunny was in attendance, waving to the onlookers and dancing along to the music playing on the loud speaker. Drivers by waved to princesses such as Ariel, Jasmine Rapunzel, Merida, Sleeping Beauty and Belle. 

As a seasonal part of the entertainment, stilt walkers wandered about dressed as aspen trees and butterflies and waved at participants. Also at the event was a small petting zoo featuring animals such as Kit the donkey, Wilbur the pig and Gary the alpaca, all brought from Taylor’s Travelling Troupe in Cedar Hills. 

“An activity like this gets the kids out of the house,” said Jordan Cassie, a South Jordan resident, who brought her family to join in the fun. “We think these activities are very important.” 

South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey joined in the festivity and camaraderie as she greeted families that drove through.

“I have had the privilege of attending every single city event while serving as mayor, and I appreciate each opportunity to spend time with our residents, even if we are waving through car windows,” she said.

Despite health and safety restrictions from the current pandemic, South Jordan Special Events Coordinator Natalie Domino said she wanted residents to have an experience despite COVID-19. The city held similar drive-thru events in 2020 with the Summerfest in June and Light the Night in December.

“City staff has done an amazing job of thinking outside the box by helping us find ways to engage as a community,” Ramsey said.

The effort and creativity behind the Spring Spectacular was not lost on local residents and residents from neighboring towns.

“An event like this is amazing,” said Nayber Barrientos, who brought his family from Sandy to help get into the spirit of the season. “In this pandemic, it’s nice to have something different. We appreciate it so much.” 

Even though this year’s Easter bunny was unable to personally hand out treats, and no egg hunts were permitted, youth volunteers helped to pass out bags of Easter eggs to cars before exiting the event. Nethra Suresh, a sophomore at Bingham High School, along with fellow Bingham High junior John Evershed, who are members of the South Jordan Youth Council, helped out.

South Jordan officials look forward to sponsoring in-person events toward the end of the year as permitted by county regulations. Residents may check for events at https://www.sjc.utah.gov/upcoming-Events/.