Q AWARDS: Contributor of the Year — Mike Washburn, Thanksgiving Point
When Mike Washburn arrived as the CEO of Thanksgiving Point in May 2003, the destination had been branding itself as an entertainment venue — a Disneyland of sorts. But as Washburn analyzed the Point of the Mountain landmark, he proposed that it return to its original vision. “Thanksgiving Point was intended to be […]
Meet + Greet: BusinessQ’s Convention and Meeting Guide
We miss meetings! As soon as it’s safe to meet in larger groups, here are eight industry experts ready to host and help at your next office away from the office. MEET River Bottoms Ranch This family-owned property offers a modern and sophisticated alternative to closed-in conference rooms. Located in the picturesque Utah mountain […]
2020 Fab 40: Laura St. Onge
Laura St. Onge, Thanksgiving Point Whiz Age 51 • Alpine • Libra Describing Laura takes a lot of commas. She was recently honored as the Employee of the Year at Thanksgiving Point, she has hiked 2,000 miles each year since she moved to Utah, she has a daylily named after her (“Lusty Laura St. Onge”), and […]
Utah Valley Must-Dos For March and April 2020
By Chelsea Kern and Ansalee Morison Don’t miss these eight must-dos throughout the months of March and April. Magical Miss February 21-April 11 Matilda Wormwood is much more than an ordinary school girl. Though anguished by distant parents and the school bully and principal, Miss Trunchbull, Matilda realizes she has many friends worth fighting for. […]
Lighten Up: Luminaria Has Brightened the Holidays Since 2016
Some traditions really don’t take long to catch hold of hearts and become a crucial part of the holidays. That’s why Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point has already achieved “must do” status on Christmas lists throughout Utah Valley and beyond. This fourth year of Luminaria features 26 beats (themed sections) including seven new for 2019. Highlighting […]
Artist Jen Lewin illuminates Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
Jen Lewin, artist and owner of Jen Lewin Studio in Brooklyn, New York, was camping in Western Australia when she and some friends discovered a magical moonlight reflection. The receding tide had left dozens of small pools of water that reflected in the moonlight and looked like tiny dots of light in the otherwise dark […]
Utah Valley Must-Do Events For November and December
By Jayna Smith The holiday season is upon us, and calendars are filling up quickly. Make sure to add these events from the Must Dos section from our November/December issue. The Unforgettable Carols December 23 “The Forgotten Carols” musical travels from Idaho to Arizona this year, with sleigh stops in Utah. Michael McLean and team […]
Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Celebrates 30th Year
Saluting its 30th anniversary, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is gearing up for a celebratory year at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. What started as a way to raise money for the Orem Public Library has grown into one of the nation’s premier storytelling events where people around the world come to hear stories from […]
Utah Valley Must-Do Events for September and October
Here are the Utah Valley Magazine picks of how to spend your weekends during the months of September and October. Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue September 7 To celebrate their last night of the season, the Orem Owlz are taking on the Ogden Raptors and inviting fans, friends and family to grab some […]
American Fork Quilting Maven Amy Smart Offers a Fresh Take on Old Glory
Amy Smart learned to sew as a young girl, and now she shares her passion for patterns through tutorials, fabric design, teaching and her blog “Diary of a Quilter.” While Amy has made countless quilts, one of her favorite creations is this Americana quilt pictured above. The pattern is titled “Land That I Love” and […]
Timpanogos Storytelling Festival Celebrates its 30th Year
Saluting its 30th anniversary, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is gearing up for a celebratory year at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. What started as a way to raise money for the Orem Public Library has grown into one of the nation’s premier storytelling events where people around the world come to hear stories from […]
2019 Fab 40: Zak Gezon
Age 38 City Draper When most people see a four-inch-long cockroach, they shriek and run — but not Zak. His enthusiasm for science led to him studying insects and arthropods for a living and now bringing the new Butterfly Biosphere to life. This Thanksgiving Point chief entomologist shares his passion for creepy crawlers by educating […]
Winter Fun: Thanksgiving Point
Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Silicon Slopes, the resort that turned sagebrush into brains and beauty still sits as a winter beacon. Thanksgiving Point has indoor and outdoor adventures available 12 months out of the year, as well as fine dining, shopping and museum experiences to keep families entertained while snow is on […]
Must-Dos for January and February
As winter settles in, there’s no shortage of events in the valley to warm our hearts. Here are our six picks for weekend warriors to enjoy during the months of January and February — straight from the glossy pages of Utah Valley Magazine. The Local Red Carpet February 27 – March 2 The 18th Annual […]
Thanksgiving Point’s Luminaria is totally lit for the third year
When Luminaria turned the Ashton Gardens into a night-time, Christmas-time, family-time event in 2016, more than 58,000 bundled attendees walked the paths. Last year, that number climbed to 87,000. For 2018, they anticipate more than 102,000 will “Let It Glow.” This illuminating event in the valley’s most iconic location includes all the lights and music […]
Weekend best bets: 5 Utah Valley weekend events
Are you falling for fall yet? As Utah mountainsides turn red, yellow and orange, its time to take a glance at what Utah has to offer in the autumn. Don’t let sweater weather keep you indoors this week — especially with these events going on around town. Cornbelly’s “This is the greatest (maze)!” Taking after […]
Utah-Tube: Lebaron Singers turn Cornbelly’s into Halloween Town
Cornbelly’s at Thanksgiving Point transformed into Halloween Town thanks to the new costumed inhabitants. The Lebaron Family Singers, a group of Utah singers, filmed “This is Halloween” from Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” for their newest music video. In April, The Lebaron Family Singers started making YouTube videos after their Facebook video of the family […]
Weekend best bets: 5 Utah Valley weekend events
Blink your eyes and somehow we are closing out September 2018, but there is no point in living in the past when the future holds so much fun. Scroll through these five local events and make plans for a weekend to remember. Fall Festival and Draft Horse Show Whoa! Hold your horses. This weekend get […]
Summer fun: Your most Instagrammable summer yet
Show all of your followers (even if it’s only your mom — or better yet, your daughter) how much fun Utah is during May, June, July and August. You don’t need to leave the state to have one of these Insta-adventures. June Strawberry Days & Rodeo Pleasant Grove is home to the longest running celebration […]
Weekend best bets: 6 Utah Valley weekend events
Summer lovin’ happened so fast in Utah County. With just a week into summer vacation, the valley is overflowing with fun-in-the-sun activities. Here are six weekend events to have you a blast: Utah Valley Parade of Homes It’s time once again to gaze upon your housing dreams. This year the Utah Valley Parade of Homes […]
Best Reception Centers: Instagram-worthy venues across Utah Valley
These picture-perfect paradises are part of Utah Valley’s wedding scene. However, weddings aren’t the only events these Best of Utah Valley reception centers have hosted. Find out what makes these four winners #InstagramWorthy. Wadley Farms A perfect fairytale picture, Wadley Farms has been a working farm since 1868. Now one of the area’s most popular […]
Weekend best bets: 6 Utah Valley weekend events
Warm weather has finally found it’s way to Utah Valley — and it looks like it’s staying for good (fingers crossed)! Here are five weekend events to celebrate Mother Nature’s successful transition to warmer weather. Best Women’s Expo Ever The title “Best Women’s Expo Ever” may just be an understatement. With giveaways, a Disney vacation […]
Weekend best bets: 5 Utah Valley weekend events
As spring tries to move in on Utah’s perpetual winter, Utah Valley residents try to hold onto the warm moments. Whether it is rain or shine this weekend, here are a few options to fill the conclusion of your Spring Break with fun. Passport to Fun Pack your bags — Provo Beach has your passport […]
9 staycation activities for Spring Breakers sticking around Utah Valley
Spring Break is finally here, and let’s be honest — you deserve it. For when the kids start getting antsy and binging on Netflix doesn’t cut it, here are nine Utah County events to fill your Spring Break with new experiences. Provo Beach’s Passport to Fun Pack your bags — Provo Beach has your passport […]
18 Utah County Easter egg hunts in 2018
Hippity, hoppity, Easter is on its way. So grab your cameras and Easter baskets folks — there are thousands of eggs to be hunted and the Easter Bunny to meet at the exciting Easter celebrations hosted all over the county. One of Utah County’s first Easter egg hunts in 2018 is Saratoga Spring’s Bunny Hop […]
5 great parent/toddler classes in Utah County
Population estimates say that more than 250,000 children under 5 are living in Utah County. That’s a quarter of a million kids who aren’t yet in school and who love to play. If you have one or two (or more!) of these children living in your house, check out some of these fun parent/toddler classes in […]
Must-dos: 7 Utah Valley events in March and April
For the March/April issue of Utah Valley Magazine, we gave a quick look at upcoming Utah Valley events. Mark your calendars for the months to come. Run, forrest, run The 23rd annual Rex Lee Run for a Cure is hitting the pavement March 10 at 9 a.m. All proceeds fund the BYU Simmons Center for […]
Weekend best bets: 5 Utah Valley weekend events
New year, new events. As you work on those New Year’s resolutions, make sure you schedule some time for these Utah Valley events. Sundance Film Festival For a few weeks each year, Utah turns into a miniature Hollywood with the annual Sundance Film Festival. With films such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” about TV personality […]
18 tales to glean in 2018: Fore on the 18th!
The first cover of Utah Valley Magazine nearly 18 years ago featured Karen Ashton celebrating the opening of Thanksgiving Point, so let’s get into the weeds of Hole No. 18. BYU’s own Johnny Miller designed this beautiful course. No. 18 is a challenging 440-yard, par 4 finishing hole with a picturesque view of the clubhouse […]
Must-see merriment: Ready for the holidays?
By the end of this feature you will be! First, we’ll give you the skinny on being Santa, then we will warm your winter with a look at the lights of Luminaria. When you are ready to sparkle your spruce, we’ve got tree trimming tips galore. To finish things off, you’ll meet a local Christmas […]