Night of Lights activities help USU’s ‘Gear Up’
A chilly Friday night at the Logan-Cache Fairgrounds brought out local residents to support Cache Valley’s after-school programs for underprivileged children.
The fairgrounds were strung with dozens of light strands hung over the pathways leading to the building hosting the event.
The first stop is an unheated building that has scattered metal chairs facing the stage, which was comprised of a jumble of microphones and speakers with a drum set on a small platform.
Several bands performed Friday, such as the local group In Vein, but the youngest group was called Theory and all three members are in sixth grade.
All of the groups were performing to raise money for a program that is put together in partnership with the university.
Working with USU’s “Gear Up” program, students in elementary school can attend intensive tutoring activities designed for academic improvement.
“It is about two or three hours worth of tutoring, but they charge you a fee to pay for a meal, and this function is to raise money to pay for the tuition of those who can’t afford it,” one event organizer said.
Just a little further into the fairgrounds, more festivities greeted those who were willing to brave the weather a little longer.
A bonfire heated up those who stood near the booth for $3 wagon rides around the grounds.
Jared Parker and Tyler Hill of Big Horse Adventures drove Jack and Jill, two large mules who pulled the wagon over the icy street.
“The outfit normally works a few events like this around Christmas in the winter, but during the summer is when we have everyday work for our animals here,” Hill said. “We have a Dutch oven dinner with a covered wagon tour and the outlaws ride in; it is really a lot of fun.”
A short jaunt away from the warm blaze sat a red vending stand run by a mother and her three children: Amanda, age 7; Amelia, age 3 and Chase, age 10.
The three children seemed impervious to the cold as they dashed about a grassy hill and rolled down the snow.
For those unwilling to leave the warm fireside, hot chocolate and the sounds of laughter, one building housed a variety of displays.
Each was was sponsored by an organization intent on improving education, from a 4-H club to under-age drinking prevention programs.
One display showed dozens of handwritten essays mounted on construction paper where elementary school students had written sentences or drawn pictures on how to improve after-school programs.
Friday night was one of several Friday night music exhibitions in an effort to raise money for the program. Saturdays are craft fair days and Monday nights feature kids’ activities.
Monday, Nov. 11, will be a toy building workshop hosted by Lowes and the 18th will be Bingo night.
-skjohnson@cc.usu.edu