Midvale’s Harvest Days set for early August

Midvale’s annual Harvest Days festival brings a week of summer fun, Aug. 2 through 6.

There will be block parties; an induction ceremony for the new Midvale Youth Ambassadors; an art show; dinner and bingo night; Battle of the Bands; movie in the park; fun run; flag raising ceremony; breakfast in the park; parade; live entertainment; children’s games; and fireworks.

A new event this year is a safety fair at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 4, in the Midvale City Park, 455 West 7500 South.

People can meet the new organizations that are providing public safety for Midvale: The Unified Fire Authority and the Unified Police Department.

Both entities will have working equipment and apparatus, as well as the canine units, to show to the public. They may have a helicopter land in the park. Police officials will have their motorcycle unit. Fire officials will do some demonstrations. There will be handouts.

“We want people to get to know their public safety organizations and see the capabilities of these two organizations,” said Kane Loader, Midvale city manager.

A traditional event that is expected to be a favorite is Battle of the Bands, 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5.

The bands will use the same professional sound and lighting that has been contracted for Saturday’s concerts. “It’s a great opportunity for young musicians to perform on a stage with high-end equipment and lights,” said Justen Lafeen, head of the Battle of the Bands event. Lafeen is president of the Kiwanis Club; member of the Planning and Zoning Commission; and on the Harvest Days Committee.

There will be $1,000 in prizes to be won by participating bands. The event is free. About a dozen bands are expected.

Harvest Days has been going strong for 75 years now. It was started by the Kiwanis Club and grew from there.

“It has been one of the longest-running community celebrations in the valley,” said Candy Tippetts, Harvest Days Committee chairwoman.

The greatest part about the string of weeklong events is how the activities bring the entire community together, she added.

“The neighborhood barbecues on Monday and Tuesday evenings give people a chance to reacquaint themselves with their neighbors,” she said. “Fire and police, the Midvale City Council and mayor, all go to these neighborhood parties and it gives the residents a chance to communicate one-on-one their concerns and desires for the community.”

“It’s just a great community-building event for us,” Tippetts added.

Bingo is a big draw on Thursday. “But my favorite activity is the parade and all the events in the park on Saturday,” Tippetts said. “I like all the bands and entertainment and seeing everyone come out and have a good time.”