Utah Arts Festival 2014

 The Utah Arts Festival typically consists of about 800 artists and performers. 900 volunteers and brings in a crowd of about 35,000 attendees. Last year was pretty cool. Plus, lately I have noticed they have started to bring in really neat performers so when some family asked us if we wanted to go this year, of course we agreed. This giant festival takes over Washington and Library Square in Downtown Salt Lake City.

Note this is an archive post: For whatever reason I decided not to post this in 2014. I was typing up my post about Body Worlds (that I also decided against posting back then) when I realized I hadn’t posted this. So a little more than 10 years later in November 2025 I am getting around to posting it.

Some neat metalwork.

Pretty sure this is scrap metalwork. Wish I had caught the artists name, because it looks similar to other pieces I have seen.

Neat owl.

Then we saw a troop of aerial acrobats.

This is neat. I wish I could remember the troops name. I have been scouring the interwebs with no luck.

Some rope dancing.

Super cool.

Mad props. I know this takes a lot of physical fitness.

Then they had some helpers on the ground spin them around. I think tis was to help “wind them up”.

Then they did these really dramatic spinning drops. Like, human yo-yo’s. It was quite spectacular. I wish I had thought to take some videos.

Final bow.

Then there was a ribbon dancer. I think that’s what it’s called anyway.

It’s fascinating the intricate steps they have to complete to set up some of the neater poses and moves.

Super neat!

Another performer.

Nice finale.

Another performer.

To show how high up she is.

Super neat.

And now a pair.

They moved over to the same ribbon.

Back to the individual ribbons.

They also did neat spinning drops.

Another performer.

That looked like a gnarly death drop. Yikes!

Oh wow, now we have another performer with a ring of some sort.

Lots of spinning.

I think it is becoming clear why I didn’t post this originally. I don’t have any real great commentary for this stuff. It's super neat, and I am enjoying the show immensely, I just don't have a lot to say about it I guess.

I’m not sure if this was the end, or if we decided to just move along. But according to my time stamps, this amazing performance lasted at least an hour. All of them were very talented. I have seen a couple aerial acrobatic shows (most notably Cirque Du Soleil), and I must say this is up there. Definitely worth the cost of the ticket.

Neat fountain.

Closer.

Fun Shock Top love bug. I like Shock Top beer, so… neat!

The next show.

I am not 100% sure, but I am pretty sure this troop was Australia’s Strange Fruit. I was able to locate an old Slug Mag article (outside link) that referenced them so, that was super helpful!

Getting ready for the show.

I am enjoying the on pole costume change.

I have a feeling we are in for something special.

A hush fell over the crowd as they finalized their positions.

Show time!

They are just getting their momentum.

Back and forth, back and forth.

But it is still really neat.

Here we go.

I initially thought they were attached at their feet.. but I guess not!

I have never seen a show like this before (or since). It is amazing!

Supercool.

I really loved when the women twirled which made their dresses flair out.

This is neat.

As I said, I love when they twirl.

Howdy!

Twirls.

Deep bend.

Closer.

This side.

Giving a flower.

An embrace.

Then things got a little crazy.

We moved, so now the library is the background. It’s a little better than the Leonardo building.

Super fun.

It is amazing how far the poles bend while supporting the weight of an adult human.

I am sure there was more of a story that I likely picked up upon watching it back then, but just my few images I am picking up a few clues of the story, but unfortunately do not remember the rest of it. Definitely some kind of love triangle.

The Salt Lake City Public Library is a great backdrop. It was particularly stunning last year for Bandaloop.

They are shedding their costumes, so I assume we made it through the whole show. According to my timestamps, it was about 20 minutes.

We then popped into the Leonardo to check out the Body Worlds Exhibit.

Neat robot looking metalwork.

It looks like this troop is putting on another show.

With the library, and the City County Building in the back.

That was a fun day! It’s a little more crowded than I like, but I mean, it is a festival so that isn’t a surprise. It was surprising that the tickets included the Leonardo though, that was super fun to see 9 out of 10 squirrels today.

As for difficulty, it is mostly flat and easy. DR2.

While dogs are generally allowed in public parks of SLC, they are not allowed in the festival (mostly for the dogs safety, finding a lost dog in a huge crowd like this may not be possible). So, be sure to leave Fido home.