The Emery County Business Chamber hosted a new event this year. On Aug. 5-6 the first annual Summer Sidewalk Jamboree. Jaime Anderson is the executive director for the business chamber. She along with Amanda Leonard, Tiffany Cowley and Cindy Draper have organized the event. Anderson said, “With the Emery County fair being moved to June this year, we wanted to host an event in August in conjunction with the Castle Valley Pageant. The pageant brings a large number of visitors to our area every other year. One of the main complaints by tourists to our area is the lack of shopping opportunities. The Jamboree featured 45 vendors for shopping galore. One of the favorite vendors in Emery County is the Forbidden Fruit. Her booth was a popular spot. Some of the vendors included: Robyn’s homemade food, Navajo tacos, the Cherry on Top Crepes, KFJ-C Store, Dunkers with dips and breads. pastry and coffee booth. Magnuson Lumber was there with their home decor.
“Face painting and glitter tattoos and jewelry. There were so many things. We’re really excited about this event” said Anderson.
Other vendors included the Museum of the San Rafael and Emery County, Salon Sensations with hair cuts and extensions, popcorn, snow cones, candy, quilting booths and products, crafts, Scentsy products, clothing, Naturally Inspired, La Roe clothing, find your roots booth, 4-H exhibits and a pioneer photography booth where people dressed in pioneer clothing and had their picture taken by a professional photographer.
Friday the events began at 11 a.m. with the vendor booths opening. There were kids games including a fish pond, hula hoops, treasure hunt, bean bag toss and much more and a chalk art contest. There were inflatable toys for the children and a dunking tank. There was a booth scavenger hunt where the children visited the booths for clues and won a prize. At noon on Friday there was a fashion show sponsored by Naturally Inspired. At 12:30 p.m. girls of all ages had their nails done and hair and could purchase an outfit to be in the fashion show. The girls could have pictures taken with the royalty from Emery County. The first princesses out this day received a gift bag.
There was local talent, and square dancing. There was a lamb fry each night and entertainment. Saturday morning began with a 5K fun run/bike or walk at 6:30 a.m. At 8 a.m. was breakfast in the park. From 9-11 a.m. was the slow drag race. There was a car show At 10 a.m. was the cornhole tournament and kids games. At noon was the Fatty’s hot dog eating contest with a $100 prize for the winner, the Emery County’s got talent contest, dunk tank and fire truck rides were held. There was a horse shoe tournament. There was a co-ed volleyball tournament. Cowboy Poetry was performed. The Jay Frandsen tribute concert began at 5 p.m.
All of the events were held onsite at the Emery County fairgrounds in Castle Dale.
Organizers are pleased with the jamboree and the support at all the activities. They hope to host the event again next year.
ECBC: Summer Sidewalk Jamboree event
"The nacho king Austin Leonard."