What started in a parking lot last year as a small tailgating party, the Made in Utah Festival has grown and is now appearing Saturday as an all day event at the Gateway. Once a year, the festival showcases local vendors on a bigger scale than your weekly farmers market.
With a theme of supporting local economy by shopping local, the Made in Utah Festival is helping the community and students be aware of what and who is in our local market.
Initially, the festival was a small idea. “We brought together local musicians, artisans, farmers and food producers to sample each other’s products, exchange ideas, information and best business practices,” said event coordinator, Golda Hukic. However, in the last year the event has grown to include more vendors and people, resulting in their placement at the Gateway.
“We will have over 50 vendors ranging from food vendors (some of them are our local farms cooking their meat and sausages), chocolates, cookies, German pastries and of course our local breweries, distilleries and wineries to more craft and art oriented vendors such as jewelry, coasters, wood boxes etc., as well as Utah’s famous bath and body products makers,” said Hukic.
The Made in Utah Festival will also be hosting numerous local bands from all over Utah. Some of whom include Tom Bennett from Saint George, September Say Goodbye from Logan and the B.D. Howes Band.
“We were looking for something more original — musicians that have their unique style. They all are exceptional,” said Hukic.
The Made in Utah Festival is a product of Utah Stories Magazine, a locally run magazine featuring local businesses. With the support of Utah Stories Magazine, the festival comes to life. Hukic said, “We wanted to create an opportunity for our readers to meet these wonderful people. So, we created a festival that would make it possible.”
“It sounds like a lot of fun because it has everything you would want to do and hear about. The weather will be great. You can find a lot of things you can like,” said Gordon Rose, a junior at the U.
In addition to hearing, sampling and conversing with the local talent and tastes, students should also look forward to possible job opportunities. “Utah Stories would like to support and give opportunity to students to learn real life skills,” Hukic said. “So if you are studying graphic design, journalism and marketing and are looking for an internship, please contact us. We would be happy to help.”
Vivint Solar and two more companies will also be at the festival and students are free to approach them and talk about future job opportunities.
The Made in Utah Festival that will take place in The Gateway on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is free to attend.