One of Park City’s favorite festivals is set for Monday, and I can’t wait. Thanks to the hard work and exceptional organizational skills of the Park City Rotary Club, this year’s Miner’s Day promises to be one of our best.
Start off with a complimentary 7:30 breakfast at City Park courtesy of St. Mary’s Catholic Church (donations will be appreciated) and the Bark City 5K at 8 a.m.
The day unfolds from there, with all events clustered around City Park and Main Street. Check out the jam-packed schedule at ParkCityMinersDay.org. There is even still time to register if you want to participate in the 11 a.m. Miner’s Day Parade — deadline is Friday.
What are your Miner’s Day favorites? Running of the Balls on Main (always over much too quickly!) is one of my favorites, or relaxing at City Park with food trucks and live, local music.
I enjoy people-watching at the parade as much as I love the parade itself, and the afternoon mining competition is a reminder of the grit and hard work of the people who came before us.
The day reminds me that everyone has a Park City story, a moment when, Park City native or not, they looked around and heard an inner voice say, “This is the place for me!”
Of course, Park City itself has a story to tell, and Miner’s Day is a great time to listen. Amidst all the fun and fundraising is our ever-present past, from the 5K that runs along part of the historic Rail Trail to the kids’ games set up across from the landmark Miner’s Hospital.
We have recently introduced a new, no-cost way for you to bring that local history into your life any time you like while also enjoying a healthy walk your step counter will love!
Our Travel Stories app is a self-guided walking tour of Main Street’s historic sites, transporting you back in time with engaging narratives accompanied by dramatic sound effects. Each segment automatically begins as you approach each site, such as the First National Bank Building and the Town Lift Plaza. Where you start makes no difference — the live map shows your location and the nearest site. No wi-fi or cell service is necessary.
It’s a unique, enjoyable experience with something new for even the most seasoned Parkite, such as the story of Park City’s long-lost Chinatown and the connection of our mining past to the Crescent Tramway and Town Lift.
Did you know The Park Record lost everything in the great fire of 1898, but set up in a tent and kept publishing, never missing an issue? Or that the Park City Museum building was then our City Hall and survived the fire due to its brick construction, a rarity among Park City’s wooden buildings?
You can enjoy this free service by visiting Travelstorys.com/tours and putting ‘Park City’ in the search bar. Download the app using the QR code, and you’re good to go! Be sure to use headphones on your tour so not to disturb others and stay alert to traffic as you get lost in our colorful history.
Travel Stories perfectly complements the Miner’s Day experience — bringing the past to life as you celebrate the present with friends, sunshine (fingers crossed) and the unique Park City vibe.
Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.