As we near the end of 2018 it is good to look forward to events and activities that will be going on in the coming years in Castle Country.
January: This is a time for cold weather adventure. Whether a person wants to snowmobile or ice fish, cross country ski or snowshoe, this time of year is exciting in Castle Country. But don’t mistake those nice sunny warm days in the valleys for the snow in the mountains. Most years the snow in the valley is minimal while the mountains, including the Bookcliffs and the Manti Lasal National Forest allow for the best of winter recreation. Scofield Reservoir is famous for its ice fishing, but that activity also takes place the reservoirs at the top of Huntington Canyon as well.
February: At the beginning of the month many of the activities that were listed in January still hold true. But as the days get longer and warmer, thoughts to desert hikes and riding ATV’s begin to pop into peoples minds. Mountain biking along the trails of the San Rafael in February can be a delight with very few people near The Wedge and quiet solitude around every turn. Hiking the trails of the desert is a prime example of a time when the temperatures remain cool while working hard going up and down red sandstone cliffs.
March: In March the outdoors really start to take off as the first buds of life begin to appear. The winds in the area make for great classic kite flying during this time. This is also the month when organized town activities begin to appear, with some of them centered around St. Patricks Day on March 17. Price has a huge parade on that day with people enjoying the sun and open air.
April: They say that April showers bring May flowers and sometimes April is raining, but not too much so in Castle Country. Campers begin to take to the outdoors and Easter Weekend is a huge camping time, usually the first general one of the year, throughout the region.
May: In May the days become warm and much longer as people begin to enjoy the reservoirs and ponds throughout the area both in terms of fishing and boating.In the desert the cactus begin to flower and the small plant spread their color across the sand and rock that make up the San Rafael Desert. As the snows in the mountains melt the rafting, kayaking and tubing become favorite pastimes for many.
June: June starts the summer in the area as many, many events take place across towns in both counties. Event like the Castle Country Rock and Fossil Show, Orangeville Town Days, the Helper Outlaw Car Show and Huntington Heritage Days span the month with activities for everyone.
July: The center of the summer brings some vast celebrations tied to not only Independence Day but also Pioneer Day on around July 24. Huntington Heritage Days continues, as Scofield Pleasant Valley Days takes place on the nearest weekend to July 4. East Carbon Days and the Greek Festival in Price share the same weekend in about the middle of the month. Rodeos include those in Sunnyside, Wellington and Castle Dale. Town days take place in Elmo, Wellington and Cleveland. The end of the month brings Price’s International Days, celebrating the heritage of the immigrants who came to the area to mine coal and work on the railroad.
August: The Dog Days of summer don’t detour any events of this month. Both Carbon and Emery County hold their fairs. And toward the middle of the month the famed Helper Art and Music Festival is held.
September: As the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to cool toward the end of the month, the colors start to come out in the high country. Nothing says beauty more than a warm Saturday afternoon spent touring the canyons of the Wasatch Plateau looking at the reds, yellows, golds and greens of the canyon walls as the trees begin to meet their seasons end. Events in this month include Ferron Peach Days, Spring Glen Days and the famed Green River Melon Days. The month also features the Carbon County Kiwanis Kids Days in the Price City Park. The San Rafael Bike Festival also takes place in the Swell this time of year.
October: At this point the colors on the trees have moved down into the valley and warm days give way to very cool nights. The mysteries of the area are also revealed during this month as the famed ghost of the White Lady supposedly patrols Spring Canyon and as pumpkins are displayed across the county. The Price Farmers Market offers many end of season deals on vegetables, fruit and other things.
November-December: As thanks is given, hunting in the mountains for deer and elk take place. Helper has its Christmas Arts and Crafts fair in the eleventh month and then follows that up with the Electric Light Parade in early December along with a myriad of other activities to celebrate the holidays. And just as Price has its fireworks display around Independence Day, helper celebrates the night of the parade by launching its own pyrotechnics in holiday fashion.