VISIT GARDNER VILLAGE #GardnerVillage

I was invited to #gvpartyontheplaza event hosted by Gardner Village in West Jordan, Utah. I have been to Gardner Village once before at halloween time for WitchFest to run a 5k and it was so fun.

There is a new Mill Plaza around the historic Gardner Mill that just opened and is a great venue for your future parties/events. It is a beautiful area with charming brick walkways and great views. There are other venues (Archibald's Restaurant, the Gathering Place, and the Naborhood Bakery & Cafe) that are equally as fabulous. 

 The restaurant and bakery has delicious catering that I was able to get just a hint of that night. 

Everything tasted so wonderful...I wish they would cater my dinner every night.

If you like shopping, you will enjoy the many locally-owned shops available at Gardner Village.

 The wishing bridge is probably my favorite find of the night. The shop next to the bridge has ribbons that you can get to tie on as you make a wish.

 Right now, the Woodland Fairies are part of a scavenger hunt around the village. 

It is reported that the fairies will come around and take your ribbon wish and grant it.

Then don't forget to get your fairy wings!

#gvfairywings

There are so many cute backgrounds for fantastic photo opportunities all around the village.

One final surprise, there is a petting zoo there that will allow you to bottle feed the animals and pet them. Can this place get any cuter?!

So grab your family, friends, date, or go for a night out alone and visit Gardner Village.

TULIP FESTIVAL at Thanksgiving Point

I love flowers. In Spring, I love to see tulips.

 Tha Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point (in Lehi, Utah) hold an annual Tulip Festival with 55 acres of gardens of beautifully colored flowers.

Tulips are planted in fun displays like around a carousel,

by fountains,

and in a rainbow of colorful displays.

There is also a gift shop and tulips available for sale.

This is an annual event you won't want to miss. Don't forget to visit later in the year to see the roses bloom after the tulips are gone.

NIGHTMARE ON 13TH HAUNTED HOUSE

One thing I hate to love and love to hate about Halloween time is going to haunted houses. 

There are some really awesome ones in Utah to visit starting in September to get you in the Halloween spirit.

 One that I make sure to visit EVERY year is Nightmare on 13th. 

 The building is located on 13th (1300) South and is super spooky.

Turn out the lights and it is even spookier at night.

Every year, the haunted house changes the theme to really give you a fright.  

This year's theme is Phantasms.

There are plenty of characters and decorations to feed on your fears. 

 There are freaky photo opportunities outside you can take with your cell or camera

or you can have a professional photographer snap a photo of you that you download and share to social media for free. NO PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE.

Do you have what it takes to make it all the way through? Buy tickets at the door, go to their website to find a coupon and purchase tickets online, or text NIGHTMARE to 31996 to save some cash and get updates on deals/events.

PROVO PUPPY PADDLE POOL PARTY

It's the end of the summer season and that means the public swimming pools are closing. There is a day between when the pool officially closes to the public and the water is drained where the community can bring their dogs to swim.

There were separate times for small and large dogs to play.

 The entire pool area was open for them to run and play off-leash.

The dogs were having so much fun playing and splashing.

 Some even went down the waterslide.

There was a swimsuit and talent contest.

It was a pawsome event put on at Provo Recreation Center!

It's just another reason I love living in Utah County.

The event was free for humans and $5 per dog.

Be sure to join the fun next year or look for your city's turn to host HERE.

#visitutahvalley

LANTERN FEST

What is the Lantern Fest? It is a an opportunity for thousands of cool people to join together to create an unforgettable display of light.

 Each attendee gets a kit with all the fixings for s'mores, tools to decorate your lantern, and an opportunity for great memories.

You can arrive early for an afternoon of live music, dancing, food trucks, kid's fun,

 and s'mores.

After the sun sets and the time is just right,

it is time to light the sky with lanterns.

The lanterns are supposed to represent our highest hopes, deepest regrets, and fondest dreams.

You are welcome to write on or decorate your lantern to represent those things.

Then after you light the lantern, 

you let it go and let it float away to the sky.

It is really a sight to behold.

 I have never experienced an event like this before, but I am sure this won't be the last time.

Find out more about a Lantern Fest near you HERE.

#lanternfest

#readyforliftoff at THE LEONARDO - GIVEAWAY

Looking for something cool to do if you live in or are traveling through Utah?

Check out The Leonardo Museum's newest exhibit, Flight!

Flight isn't a traveling exhibit like you might have seen at Body Worlds, Mummies of the World, or Dead Sea Scrolls. Instead, it is a semi-permanent exhibit that will be on display for the next few years.

The museum is called The Leonardo and flight was one of Leonardo da Vinci’s biggest passions...so it is only fitting.

Part of the exhibit is a giant C-131 aircraft. The aircraft is so large that they had to take off part of the wall of the building to get it into the museum. It is a real plane the flew military dignitaries just after WWII.

Q:What is cooler than having a giant plane in the museum?

A: Actually being able to climb into the cockpit and push buttons. You can also slide out of the back of it on a giant slide!

You can also see a real-life rocket pack (just like they use in the movies), three hyper-realistic flight simulators provided by Rockwell Collins, and a few additional treats I can't tell you about because I don't want to spoil the surprise. 

HOW CAN YOU SEE THIS NEW EXHIBIT???

They are asking for donations for the museum HERE.

- $5 donation will get you a $13 ticket.

- $30 gets you 4 tickets to the exhibit, bomber hat and goggles, and a treat at the cafe.

- $50 or more gets you 4 tickets to their PRE-OPENING (invitation only) event on August 5, 2016 at 1pm, access to the exhibit before it opens for the general public, tickets to an exclusive paper airplane party (flying airplanes off the top of library square), and you can come watch a real live skywriter.

MORE COOL NEWS...

I have the opportunity to offer a Family Pass to my readers. Enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Leonardo is located at 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Get #readyforliftoff.

BEES BASEBALL

The first day of summer is approaching and what makes my heart smile this time of year?

(Well, besides parades, lakes, and vacationing) It is baseball and fireworks!

My friend Joe Keller and I headed to the ballpark for a great night with the Salt Lake Bees.

 The view in the park is fabulous.

 It looks even better closer up.

I scored a great souvenir helmet to help Day-Z be a fan too.