9/11 Memorial Display Panguitch City will host a memorial quilt display in conjunction with its annual Quilt Walk Festival. The memorial quilt honors the innocent victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Blocks making up the quilt incorporate personal memories and characteristics of the victims they represent. The quilt will be displayed at the Triple "C" Arena in Panguitch from June 10-13. It will then continue touring the country and will eventually go on permanent display in New York City. Quilt Walk Festival activities include: old red brick pioneer home tours, dinner theater, free quilting demonstrations, craft and pioneer heritage fair, quilt walk races and street dance, cowboy action shoot & costume contest, fly tying class, Dutch oven cooking, free trunk show, Lions Club breakfast, and petting zoo. Hot Air Balloons Chariots in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival will be June 24-27, also in Panguitch. Up to 35 balloons will take to the sky over this scenic area of southern Utah. On Saturday evening the balloons will be set up in the middle of historic Main Street, allowing spectators to see them up close and talk to pilots. There will also be music and other activities. Come get a taste of small town hospitality at these big time events. For more info: 435-676-8585

Snow And Wild Rivers

Fickle March is bringing wonderfully stormy weather to Utah. New storms every few days are enhancing some recreational opportunities and spurring forward seasonal changes.

1. Spring skiing will be great this year — perhaps the best ever. February brought massive snowfall across the entire state. Utah ski resorts are in great shape and will be open well into April. Many resorts now offer reduced rates for day passes and lodging, along with other special deals. Great trip packages are available.
2. Wildflowers will put on a grand show of color as nature replenishes our desert life. Plants and animals that struggled to survive several years of drought have been soaking up the abundant moisture and will be highly visible this spring. Zion Park is particularly beautiful in late March and early April, when its hanging gardens are nourished by snowmelt waterfalls. Cacti and other desert flowers bloom across all of southern Utah during April and May.
3. Runoff will swell our streams and fill our reservoirs, creating superb conditions for whitewater rafting and boating.

The Yampa River will provide incredible whitewater rafting excitement this spring. The Yampa is the only major river in the Colorado system that has not been tamed by a dam. It flows through a rugged canyon with beautiful, tiger-striped walls before merging with the Green in the heart of Dinosaur National Park, on the Utah/Colorado border. During high-water periods the Yampa offers some of the most exciting whitewater in the US — and it should be prime this year during late May and early June.

Rafting opportunities will be exceptional throughout the area. Colorado River canyons like Cataract and Grand will provide classic adventure. There will also be plenty of opportunity for less challenging rafting adventures on sections of the river near Moab. Check on trip packages.

Lake Powell will provide excellent opportunities for houseboating and water sports this year. Stored water was released from the reservoir during the drought, causing the lake level to drop, but boating conditions are very good even at this low level. Launch ramps are fully operational at all marinas except Hite. (Launching is not possible at Hite and services there have been suspended until the lake level rises.)

A new line of luxury houseboats is available for rent this year at Powell. Hot tubs and gas fireplaces are among the amenities offered on huge, 75-foot Odyssey boats. Those options are especially attractive during cooler weather months — they would be wonderful this spring and next winter. The new luxury boats are booked solid during summer months but a few dates are still available for the early season. Call us immediately if you want one: 1-888-881-1120.

Incidentally, fishing for striped and smallmouth bass is expected to become excellent at Lake Powell in April and May, with good numbers of large, fat fish available. Watch our fishing report for current information.

Upcoming Major Events

Canyon Country Western Arts Festival, March 11-14, will feature cowboy poets, leather workers, pottery makers and other western artists. Will be held at Southern Utah University Sharwan Smith Center in Cedar City. Call Maria Twitchell 435-586-5124.

Gem Faire will come to Salt Lake City March 19-21, to Utah State Fairpark. Learn about, see and touch (they even let you buy) rare gems, jewels and beads.

Outlaw Trail Endurance Horseback Ride will be held March 25 in Escalante. Call Crocket Dumas at 435-826-4899.

Fly fishing will become very good in April on the Green River and other Utah waters.

Annual Easter Jeep Safari will be April 3-11 in Moab. This is a major event for off-highway enthusiasts and provides an opportunity to enjoy some of the best trails in the Moab/Canyonlands area. More info: 435-259-7625. Schedule

Utah Whitewater Film Festival will be April 17, at 7 pm, at the OSH Auditorium on the University of Utah campus. Tickets will cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door. This is the 4th annual festival; the past 3 events have raised over $19,000 for the Snake River. For more info contact Jesse Hoffman, jesse@gravityfed.com.

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival will be May 14-22, with special guest John Acorn, The Nature Nut.

Escalante will hold its annual Festival on May 28-29. Call 435-826-4660 for details.

Free Fishing Day will be June 5 in Utah. Anglers will not need a license to fish on this day only. All other regulations will be enforced. Fishing clinics and derbies will be held at many locations around the state. Watch our fishing report for details.

National ATV Jamboree will begin June 21 in Fillmore, Utah. People from all over the country will enjoy designated rides, food and other events.

Check our comprehensive events listing for other activities.

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