Month: September 2018

There are a lot of museums in the world, but the USU Prehistoric Museum in downtown Price, Utah is one of a kind.

Best of all on September 22 admission to the collections of the museum is free to the public.

Of course there are a lot of free things in life and for many that price is right. But the museum in Price is not one of those. It is a world-class museum that features paleontological and archaeological treasures seen nowhere else.

The Prehistoric Museum creates understanding and appreciation of natural and cultural processes that formed the geologic, fossil and prehistoric human records found in eastern Utah. They do this through educational and interpretive programs based upon their academic research, preservation programs, authentic exhibits, and the creative efforts of the local staff and community.

Nestled in the heart of a resource rich archaeological, paleontological and geological play land, the museum has much to offer in diverse prehistoric subjects. One thing that makes the museum so unique is that the items on display were actually discovered within a stone’s throw of the museum location! Dinosaurs and other finds from the region are world-famous, but only in the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum can one see them surrounded by their original context.

Another unique aspect of the museum is that it is not simply a dinosaur museum. It encompasses so much more. This rich region spews forth paleontology, archaeology and geology in abundance, and it is with this advantage, that the museum strives to bring the cutting-edge world of discovery directly to the public. The Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum is one of only five accredited museums in the state of Utah, and the only accredited museum located off the Wasatch Front. It is also a state and federal repository or artifacts and fossils.

The museum features a Hall of Dinosaurs and a Hall of Archaeology. It also has an interactive adventure area for kids. It’s open area concept and friendly and knowledgeable staff are unsurpassed. It is a place everyone should visit at least once, especially if that experience is free, like it is on September 22.

The museum is located at 155 East Main Street and is open year around. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and most major holidays.

There is a special kind of melon grown in the southeastern part of Utah and it is the Green River Water Melon. Because of its great taste and texture, it is renowned throughout the melon industry. And because of that the town of Green River holds its annual Melon Days every September.

This year the event takes place on September 14 and 15. A lot of events centered around the eating of the delicious melons takes place over those two days.

On Friday, the day begins with a golf tournament at the golf course that borders the Green River itself. It is one of the best know courses in rural Utah. That begins at 9 a.m.

Then the fun begins in town at the park as vendors show off their wares starting at noon. The annual carnival also begins at the same time. That coincides with a soft ball tournament that afternoon as well.

That evening there is a concert at the John Wesley Powell Museum at 7 p.m. that costs $5 per ticket. That same evening there is square dancing in the park as well.

Son Saturday morning there is a Scout Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. at the park which starts just after the Melon Run, a 5K race. Melon Carving, to see who is the most creative, starts at 9 a.m. and can be judged by the public through 4 p.m.

At 10 a.m. there is the Melon Days Parade and the theme is, of course, melons. At noon there is a shooting competition at the Green River Gun Range. At the same time the Melon Days Queen and Princesses perform for the crowd in the park.

That afternoon there is the Melon Games and at 6 p.m. a free concert in the park takes place. That evening at 8 p.m. There will be square dancing,.

And like every year there is an all you can eat Melon bust in the park all day long.