It began with a parade and ended with a bang. Actually, lots of them.

South Jordan’s annual Summerfest provided entertainment and fun for everyone over its five-day run June 3-7. From the parade preview and kite festival in Highland Park on Tuesday night to the fireworks extravaganza in North City Park Saturday night, a wide variety of food, fun and games created thousands of visitors to the fest.

Mulligans Golf and Games hosted its family bash on Wednesday. The next evening, activities moved to North City Park for a vendor market (all three days), root beer garden, food trucks, and the start of the carnival of games and rides.

The variety of activities continued Friday and Saturday, including the demonstration by two amazing pogo stick athletes. Canadian Harry White and Californian Henry Cabales returned to South Jordan as part of the XPogo team.

“This feels like a home away from home,” White said. “We’ve been coming here for the past four years and really love performing for South Jordan audiences.” White has showcased his expertise on America’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent and Canada’s Got Talent.  

Cabales, who hails from Long Beach, is the world record holder for stunts in XPogo, and he thrilled audiences with his backwards summersault over a six-foot high pole. Both athletes said Utah’s altitude is both a positive and a negative for pogo stickers.

“The air’s thinner so it offers less resistance, but it’s also harder to breathe,” Cabales said. Both love the mountains and the scenery of Utah when they come each June. Other athletes on BMX bikes and trampolines provided fun and thrills.

Another favorite both Friday and Saturday was the petting zoo, where youngsters could get up close to a number of small farm animals. There was a dog show (see separate story), dinosaur encounters, Scales and Tales exhibits, a talent show, a car show, and of course a chalk art contest. Winners in the chalk art competition were as follows:

Professional — Savanna Ottley

Youth — Aven Grimshaw

People’s Choice — Adam Olsen

Teen — Everleigh Curran

Adult Team — Tyra Tanner

Youth/Mixed age Team — Madison Lundquist

Mayor’s Choice — Angela Smith

Adult — Addison Edwards

Friday night also featured a family movie in the park (A Goofy Movie). Saturday night’s fireworks were preceded by Voodoo Production Stilt Walkers. λ