August a Busy Month at Heritage Center

With summer winding down and school still a neglected sparkle in children’s eyes, the American West Heritage Center is turning up the heat with a busy line up of events. Also remember that the Heritage Center is a repository for the Cache Community Pantry, and they ask that you bring donations when you attend any Heritage Center event. Currently needed at this time are hygiene items and baby supplies such as diapers.

Shoshone Indian Days: Aug. 6-7, 10 am – 5 pm
First, this weekend ushers in the 4th annual Shoshone Indian Days. This is their regular Daily Adventures with a twist. Dancers from the Northwest Band of the Shoshone Nation, the tribe that traditionally lived in this area before being displaced by settlers, will be dancing and interpreting traditional Shoshone life and life ways for guests. Dances and other activities take place all day.

“This is one of the jewels of the summer in our community,” maintained David Sidwell, Program Director at the Heritage Center. “It’s a privilege to work with the [Shoshone] tribe throughout the year, and a special treat to have them come and shine during these few days of the summer.” The event provides local residents with one of the few times they can view these traditional dances. With crowds much smaller than at powwows and other large events, guests can see the dancers up close and personal, and even interact with them. Admission to the dances is included with the price of admission ($8/adults, $6/children; group discounts available). Daily Adventures admission also includes living history activities at four other venues, as well as pony rides and train rides.

Star Party: Aug. 13, 7 pm – Midnight
“Don’t be left in the dark” American West Heritage Center staff tout as they prepare for their 5th annual Star Party. The Star Party takes place during the week of the Perseid Meteor shower, traditionally one of the showiest showers of the year. Visitors can expect many of the popular activities to be back such as the Glow-in-the-Dark Tea Party, pony rides, train rides, and the Starry Navigation Treasure Hunt.

“The Starry Navigation Treasure Hunt is a bit of a misnomer,” indicated Nelda Ault, Education Director. “The pioneers, mountain men, and even the Indians didn’t really use the stars to navigate much–except for the North Star. But this has always been a fun event that gets into our history in a fun way.” This year, the Treasure Hunt will explore the stars on the American Flag through history as participants navigate around the Heritage Center grounds by lantern light.

The Glow-in-the-Dark Tea Party requires reservations and an additional charge of $3.50 to cover the cost of the treat, which staff assure will be generous. The Tea Party also includes games and activities, all in a glow-in-the-dark environment. Other activities include Pioneer Night Games, night time wagon rides, crafts, and more.

Also featured at the event will be the traditional sky watching through telescopes. In fact, guests who bring a telescope to share are given free admission to the event for themselves and an assistant. Along with the sky watching will be Star Stories, featuring storyteller Olan Mikkelsen, known in Utah as a lively, fun storyteller. Special presentations will also be given by guests ATK, Cache Starhouse, and others.

Tickets are $6 per person; group discounts are available. For more information or to make reservations for the Glow-in-the-Dark Tea Party, call the Heritage Center: (435) 245-6050. You an also visit their website for a schedule of activities for the event: www.awhc.org .

All Night Scrapbooking Expo: August 20-21
For those who do not wish to let sleep get in the way of important endeavors, the American West Heritage Center is offering its first all-nighter: a marathon scrapbooking party. Local scrapbooking dealers will be on hand to sell supplies as scrapbooking enthusiasts work to get their family memories up to date in fanciful ways. Participants are provided with a workspace and a “camping” space in the Heritage Center’s Opera House in which to sleep–if sleep is ever gotten to. A light dinner and snacks are included, with other food available at low cost for other meals. The event begins at 2 pm on Friday, August 20 and continues until 5 pm on the 21st. Limited space is available and can be obtained by reservation: (435) 245-6050 . Tickets for the event are $30.

“Our goal at the Heritage Center is to preserve memories–the heritage of our area,” claimed Anjanette Dahle, Programming Coordinator. “This event is an off shoot of that mission: we want to help other preserve their personal memories and their own family heritage.”

Celtic Festival & Highland Games: August 27-28
It’s bagpipes aplenty, haggis will be served, and there will be Celtic performers and athletes of every ilk at the 2nd annual Celtic Festival & Highland Games, suddenly one of the most popular events of the year at the American West Heritage Center. Working closely with the Utah Scottish Association, the American West Heritage Center hosts the event on its grounds, while continuing its Daily Adventures programming on its final day. Other activities include Clan Booths, vendors of celtic and medieval items, plenty of food vendors, athletic competitions, bagpipe competitionsn, dancers, and special presentations.

The Utah Scottish Association runs the big festival; you can find out more by going to the Heritage Center website: www.awhc.org OR the Utah Scottish Association website: www.utahscots.org . Tickets are:
Friday August 27th – $4.00 Per ADULT $1.00 Per CHILD
Saturday August 28th – $7.00 Per ADULT $3.00 Per CHILD