ST. George — As Hildale’s lineup of fall events concludes, Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop said these events are part of a larger goal the City Council set several years ago.
“When we first started as a new council in 2018, our goal was to build community,” she said.
As part of that, she said, they brainstormed ideas to build a safe space for children to socialize and help the community continue to heal from its past. Several annual events have grown out of these discussions and are supported by neighboring Colorado City, Arizona. Previous events have included a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in December, a pancake breakfast on Mother’s Day weekend, and Independence Day in July.
On October 7, the city held its first fall festival, with more than 400 attendees and 10 vendors. Next, the city will host its first Spring Fling in March, with activities similar to Fall Fest, including dancing.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and government decisions, events planned for 2018 have been forced to undergo significant delays. As a result, the city has also introduced a new event policy to overcome future challenges.
In addition to the main event planned by the City of Hildale, three other events, with support from the City of Colorado, have become annual traditions in the community.
For the third year, Colorado City Municipal Airport’s fly-in and air show, held Sept. 30, attracted more than 2,500 attendees, an increase of about 500 from last year’s festival.
Colorado City Municipal Airport hosts event in honor of being named 2023 Arizona Airport of the Year, with special celebration featuring 27 aircraft and 150 children participating in candy drop Added a meeting.
“Pilots and the public had a great time and are already looking forward to next year’s event,” fly-in event co-creator and airport official Darlene Stubbs told St. George News.
Jessop said the fly-in and Renaissance Faire are about letting people “experience our community” and see what it’s like now.
“It’s all about coming together and celebrating together and giving them a sense of belonging,” she said.
Alec Cox, co-ordinator of the Medieval Renaissance Faire, agreed with Mr Jessop about his reasons for making the event a reality.
“The whole purpose is to mend the rifts in the community and provide entertainment that you (usually) don’t get unless you go to (Las) Vegas or Salt Lake,” he said. “It’s for the community.”
Approximately 2,200 people attended this year’s Renaissance Faire. Attendance at the event was lower than last year, but Cox said the slight drop in attendance was due to a lack of affordability due to several factors, including the rising cost of living. Also, last year’s event was free. This year’s participation fee was $12 per person, excluding children 5 and under.
Cox said the increase in costs was essential to cover costs, adding that the quality of entertainment and shows at the event was higher than last year. And compared to similar entertainment in larger cities, he was pleased to be able to offer this event at a more affordable price than what you’d find in Salt Lake City.
One other event that is primarily community-based is the Colorado City Music Festival, which has been running for nearly eight years. The annual festival is held in late spring and attracts the music industry’s hottest up-and-coming artists. Given recent success, event organizers say they are now considering expanding to multiple days.
Mr Jessop said he had received complaints in the past from people who feared change and expressed opposition to events like the music festival. But change happens regardless, so it’s better to be proactive and set the tone, she said. However, these complaints have since decreased. This is likely because people perceive the event to have had a positive impact on the community.
“We’re creating a place,” Jessop said.
Photo gallery
Medieval Renaissance Faire in Hildale, Utah, draws thousands for a new kind of entertainment, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Whitney Barlow of St. George News
Medieval Renaissance Faire in Hildale, Utah, draws thousands for a new kind of entertainment, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Whitney Barlow of St. George News
French cosplayer from Monty Python and the Holy Grail shows off her outrageous accent at Medieval Days Renaissance Faire in Hildale, Utah, September 30, 2023 | Photo provided by : Whitney Barlow of St. George News
Medieval Renaissance Faire Royal Entertainment Provides Entertainment in Hildale, Utah, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Whitney Barlow of St. George News
Children practice swordplay at Medieval Renaissance Faire in Hildale, Utah, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Whitney Barlow of St. George News
Aerobatic pilots perform tricks at fly-in and air show at Colorado City Municipal Airport, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Aerobatic pilot Bob Freeman performs a trick at Colorado City Municipal Airport fly-in and air show, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Fear Boss aerobatic pilot tours aircraft at Colorado City Municipal Airport fly-in and air show, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
From left to right: Hildale City Councilor Terrill Masser, Colorado City Fly-In event creator Darlene Stubbs, Colorado City Deputy Mayor Dalton Barlow, and Lawrence Stubbs pose at the Colorado City Municipal Airport Fly-In and Air Show. Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Aerobatic pilots perform tricks at fly-in and air show at Colorado City Municipal Airport, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Short Creek Community Tours Colorado City Municipal Airport Fly-In and Air Show, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
A future pilot takes the controls of an aircraft during the fly-in and air show at Colorado City Municipal Airport, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Red Thunder aerobatic pilots tour their aircraft at the Colorado City Municipal Airport Fly-in and Air Show, Colorado City, Arizona, September 30, 2023 | Photo by Darlene Stubbs of St. George News
Salt Lake music band Citizen Soldier performs for thousands at Colorado City Music Festival, Hildale, Utah, May 13, 2023 | Photo by Citizen Soldier, St. George News
Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop and Colorado Mayor Howard Ream welcome people to the 1st Annual Hildale City Fall Fest, Hildale, Utah, October 7, 2023 | Photo by Donia Jessop and Shiren Barlow , St. George News
From left to right: Hildale City Fall Fest Coordinators Constance Meredith, Elisa Wall, Mayor Donia Jessop, Jessica Richards, Leanna Cooke and Siren Barlow are committed to making the event a success. All the best, Hildale, Utah, October 7, 2023 | Photo by Donia Jessop, St. George News
Colorado City-Hildale Police Officer dancing the Macarena at the City of Hildale Fall Festival, Hildale, Utah, October 7, 2023 | Photo by Donia Jessop, St. George News
COLORADO CITY – Hildale police officers and participants dance the Macarena at the City of Hildale Fall Festival, Hildale, Utah, October 7, 2023 | Photo by Donia Jessop, St. George News
Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop says events and festivals in Short Creek are held “to build community,” Hildale, Utah, September 30, 2023 | Photo by St. George whitney barlow in the news
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Nick Yamashita has extensive reporting experience in small town media, covering a variety of topics and events for the Virgin River Times and the Southern Nevada Progress. Prior to his journalism career, he held various jobs in the criminal justice system. Yamashita holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Southern Utah University. He is an award-winning photographer and author. He has published in his academic papers and poetry collections. In his spare time, he practices and teaches martial arts.