I often wonder if people in other states think that Utah is just a great, big desert where nothing grows. Certainly, parts of the state fit that description, but we also have many thriving agricultural communities. It’s the time of year for county fairs, and you’ll see a list of them here. In addition to fairs all over the state, Utah has a host of fall festivals and events centered specifically on delicious Utah produce and livestock.
- and 2) Peach Days
Ewan Traveler/flicker There’s just nothing like biting into a ripe, Utah peach. Peaches are so good in Utah that we need two festivals to celebrate! Luckily these festivals are on different weekends, so if you want to travel from one end of the state to the other, you could hit both. Peach Days in Hurricane is on Sept. 4 and 5; Brigham City hosts its celebration September 9th through the 12th.
- Cedar City Livestock and Heritage Fest
Toshihiro Gamo/flickr Every fall since 1870, ranchers bring their sheep down from the mountains into the desert pastures for the winter. Visit Cedar City for the Livestock and Heritage Fest and watch 1,000 sheep parade down main street (hopefully with a few pooper-scoopers behind them!). The sheep parade starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24th. The festival goes through the 25th.
- Wellsville Harvest Fest
NCinDC/flickr This small-town festival celebrates bringing in the fall harvest with cider-pressing, corn-husking and more. Visit Wellsville on October 17th.
- Green River Melon Days
Harsha K R/flickr Green River is the perfect place to grow melons. The heat of the desert sun during the day combined with the cool night time temperature encourages the melons store sugar, making them extra sweet. Come taste it for yourself at the Green River Melon Days festival on September 18th and 19th.
- New Harmony Apple Fest
Mr.Tin DC/flickr The arrival of the new crop of apples tells Utahns when it’s fall. Visit the New Harmony Apple Fest on October 10th and sink your teeth into a sweet, crunchy apple.
- Soldier Hollow Sheepherding Dog Trials
Soldier Hollow Sheepherding Dog Trials/Facebook You can’t raise sheep without sheepdogs! Well, maybe you can raise a few – and what do I know? I am pretty sure, though, that the serious ranchers couldn’t handle their flocks without dogs to help round ‘em up. These dogs are amazing! Fast, agile and incredibly well-trained. Watch them do their thing at the Soldier Hollow Sheepherding Dog Trials September 4th through 7th.
- Payson Golden Onion Days
mike mozart/flickr This is the 84th anniversary of Payson’s Golden Onion Days. A whole festival, just for onions! They’re not as pretty as peaches or as cuddly as sheepherding dogs, but without them, we wouldn’t have onion rings to go with our fry sauce, now would we? Visit Payson September 4th through the 7th to pay homage to the mighty golden onion.
- Enterprise Corn Fest
rosana prada/flickr Is there anything that tastes more like a Utah summer than a hot, buttered ear of corn? Join the celebration on August 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Corn, car show and a dutch oven dinner.
Some of Utah’s best agricultural festivals are in its smallest towns. They aren’t always well-advertised on the Internet, so if I’ve missed one, let me know in the comments and I’ll add it!
Ewan Traveler/flicker
There’s just nothing like biting into a ripe, Utah peach. Peaches are so good in Utah that we need two festivals to celebrate! Luckily these festivals are on different weekends, so if you want to travel from one end of the state to the other, you could hit both. Peach Days in Hurricane is on Sept. 4 and 5; Brigham City hosts its celebration September 9th through the 12th.
Toshihiro Gamo/flickr
Every fall since 1870, ranchers bring their sheep down from the mountains into the desert pastures for the winter. Visit Cedar City for the Livestock and Heritage Fest and watch 1,000 sheep parade down main street (hopefully with a few pooper-scoopers behind them!). The sheep parade starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24th. The festival goes through the 25th.
NCinDC/flickr
This small-town festival celebrates bringing in the fall harvest with cider-pressing, corn-husking and more. Visit Wellsville on October 17th.
Harsha K R/flickr
Green River is the perfect place to grow melons. The heat of the desert sun during the day combined with the cool night time temperature encourages the melons store sugar, making them extra sweet. Come taste it for yourself at the Green River Melon Days festival on September 18th and 19th.
Mr.Tin DC/flickr
The arrival of the new crop of apples tells Utahns when it’s fall. Visit the New Harmony Apple Fest on October 10th and sink your teeth into a sweet, crunchy apple.
Soldier Hollow Sheepherding Dog Trials/Facebook
You can’t raise sheep without sheepdogs! Well, maybe you can raise a few – and what do I know? I am pretty sure, though, that the serious ranchers couldn’t handle their flocks without dogs to help round ‘em up. These dogs are amazing! Fast, agile and incredibly well-trained. Watch them do their thing at the Soldier Hollow Sheepherding Dog Trials September 4th through 7th.
mike mozart/flickr
This is the 84th anniversary of Payson’s Golden Onion Days. A whole festival, just for onions! They’re not as pretty as peaches or as cuddly as sheepherding dogs, but without them, we wouldn’t have onion rings to go with our fry sauce, now would we? Visit Payson September 4th through the 7th to pay homage to the mighty golden onion.
rosana prada/flickr
Is there anything that tastes more like a Utah summer than a hot, buttered ear of corn? Join the celebration on August 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Corn, car show and a dutch oven dinner.
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