Students find entertainment close by during summer months
Some students leave to sell pesticides, some go to Alaska, and some stay home. With summer coming, the activities of Utah State University students have no bounds.
“Logan is home,” said Jacob Callister, a junior in recreation and resource management. He, along with other students such as Marci McPherson, a senior in fine arts and photography, plan on filling many of their summer hours with Cache Valley activities.
“I love Logan during the summer,” McPherson said “The weather is perfect, it is a laid back and an easy-going environment.”
McPherson was in Logan last summer and plans on being here again this year. She said some of her favorite activities include Dutch oven cooking, going to First Dam and hiking in Logan Canyon.
“The mild climate makes Logan a great place for the summer,” said Brendan Pratt, recreation manager for the City of Logan. Parks and Recreation has many activities planned for this summer. Some of these include Summerfest, which will be held June 12 through 14 at the fair grounds.
This is a festival that recognizes music and art and includes food and a fun run. Pratt said this is an opportunity for Cache Valley residents to get out and enjoy fine arts in the summertime.
“We are going to have over 100 musical artists come for Summerfest,” Pratt said.
During the weekend of the Fourth of July, the Cache Valley Cruise-In will be held. This is a car show where at least 1000 vehicles will be shown.
“We don’t limit the year and the style of the cars that can be registered,” said Greg Yashko, who is in charge of the car registration for the Cruise-In. “Cars can be registered for a fee of $30.”
Those who wish to look at the cars can pay a $5 entrance fee and have a chance to win a 1932 Ford Tudor. The drawing will be held on the last day of the Cruise-In, July 5.
Pratt said there will also be events July 24. Pioneer Day is a holiday unique to Utah, and Cache Valley celebrates it in an immense way, he said. Activities will include free wagon rides and fireworks.
Stepping outside of Cache Valley just a few miles can also provide leisure and recreation, especially during the summer. Bear Lake pulls many students through Logan Canyon to its beaches and camping grounds.
“Bear Lake is a beautiful and convenient getaway and drive,” Callister said. He worked as a ranger aid for Rendezvous Beach in Bear Lake last summer and plans on doing it again this summer.
Bear Lake is located 50 miles northeast of Cache Valley through Logan Canyon. Lake Town and Garden City are two towns on the edges of the 10-mile-long, 2-mile-wide lake. The area is famous for its Raspberry Days celebration on August 8 and 9 and fresh raspberry shakes provided all summer long.
Camping and boating along with other recreational activities can be fun at Bear Lake, Callister said.
“It is a lake town,” he said. “In the summer, the population doubles because of the recreation that Bear Lake provides.”
One of the most popular parts of the Lake is the Southern beach area.
“It is a hangout beach,” Callister said. “In the summer, carloads of students will come and spend time on it.”
With the variety of activities that are available for USU students, many will continue their education throughout the summer, while still enjoying the season, McPherson said. Outdoor intramural sports will be available in the summer. The entry deadline for softball, soccer, tennis, golf league and badminton is June 18. Also, the HPER will be open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“I like to attend summer classes because it allows me to use the HPER building, the pool, and the computer labs,” McPherson said. “It is nice to have access to these facilities even in the
summer.”
-syllee@cc.usu.edu
The Wind Caves, located in Logan Canyon, are a popular attraction among tourists and locals alike. (Photos by Scott Davis)