Cedar City’s Biggest Summer Bash Draws 20000 People Downtown Saturday
The Cedar City Rotary Club is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors to downtown Cedar City this weekend as the annual July Jamboree returns with hundreds of classic vehicles, live entertainment, vendors and community fundraising.
Speaking on the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio, Rotary Communications Chair Sue Longson and July Jamboree Committee Chair Tessa Douglas said the celebration is expected to once again be the city's largest single event.
Activities begin Friday evening with Tink's 50th anniversary celebration, where early registration for the car show will take place alongside live music, food trucks and a beer garden. The July Jamboree officially begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, although Main Street will close at noon to allow vendors to set up before more than 350 vehicles begin arriving.
Two Entertainment Stages, !50 Vendors, 350 Cars, Biggest Ever
Longson said this year's event will feature two entertainment stages in addition to live radio broadcasts, with performances stretching across downtown. More than 150 vendors are also expected to participate.
"We have entertainment all the way from one end to the other end. Over 350 vehicles, 150 vendors," Longson said during the KSUB interview.
Beyond the festivities, Longson emphasized that the July Jamboree serves as the Rotary Club's largest annual fundraiser, with proceeds supporting local scholarships, youth programs, the Canyon Creek Services Crisis Center, dictionaries for third-grade students in Iron, Beaver and Garfield counties, and other humanitarian projects.
The event has also helped fund the Rotary Club's nearly $2 million effort to build the city's water park with accessible features.
"So that's what the fundraising that we've been doing for the last several years has gone towards. And that's what the July Jamboree helps us support events like that here in the community," Longson said.
Douglas praised Longson's years of leadership in securing sponsorships and helping bring the project to completion, noting that Cedar City's first all-abilities playground is expected to open this fall.
With temperatures forecast to climb into the triple digits, organizers said additional precautions are being taken this year. Gold Cross Ambulance will provide expanded medical support, while a cooling tent and additional water stations will be available for attendees.
Despite the summer heat, organizers expect approximately 20,000 people to attend.
Read More: Cedar City Had It's Biggest Independence Day Parade This Year
"I just love seeing how many people come out," Douglas said. "You've got families, you've got college students, high school, like you've just got everybody and everybody smiling and having a good time."
You can hear the entire visit we had with Sue Longson and Tessa Douglas in the podcast below.
Oh, and for proof that Cedar City shows up summer and winter (and for a little Christmas in July) check out the gallery below.
Cedar City Downtown Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Gallery Credit: Dr. T