Hear Ye, Hear Ye, The Renaissance Faire is coming to Utah Valley

Dost thou enjoy the spectacle of a jousting tournament? Perhaps ye would prefer to mingle with the local lords and ladies of the valley as thine lips taste the divine flavors of a royal feast? If thou hast answered "Yea," then The Utah Renaissance Faire is thine destination this September!

That's right - The Utah Renaissance Faire is coming up! It's just a week away and we're so excited we can hardly contain ourselves! Broad swords and medieval speak - it's impossible to get enough!

The 2014 Faire will feature the world champion Knights of Mayhem. They will be presenting full contact jousting and demonstrations of horsemanship. The Grassroots Shakespeare company will be conducting educations workshops during the day and putting on one of their signature plays in the evening.

Vocal and instrumental groups will perform Renaissance music. Theatrical performers will be portraying historical characters such as Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo and other figures from the Renaissance era. The royal court will include a king and queen, nobles, jester and jugglers, and many other entertainers.

Many artisans will present their crafts and skills, such as pottery, bread making, candle making, blacksmiths, weaving and spinning, stained glass, leather work, woodcarving, bird handling, face painting, hairstyling, and more.

What are you waiting for? Get your family tickets today!

The SCERA Presents: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Goin' Courtin' has never been as much fun as in this rip-roaring stage version of the popular MGM movie. 

Set in the 1850 Oregon wilderness, Seven Brides tells the story of Millie, a young bride who plans to civilize and marry off her six rowdy brothers-in-law to ensure the success of her own marriage. But her plan backfires when the brothers, in their enthusiasm, kidnap six women from a neighboring town to be their brides.

Bursting with rambunctious energy and some of the best dancing scenes in musical theatre, Seven Brides is boisterous fun and romance that harkens back to the glory days of the movie musical. Directed by Jerry Elison. Music Direction by Martha Glissmeyer. Choreography by Penny Colvin. 

You could win 2 tickets to see the production at the Scera Shell Outdoor Theater, August 1-16, 2014. 
Enter Below (Winner will be announced via Facebook & Twitter tomorrow at 5 pm):

Move Over Mousse, Here Comes Mamacitas!

Located in what was once The Choc’late Mousse at 155 University Ave., Mamacitas is bringing South American Tapas to Provo!

Never had Tapas before? It’s not necessarily a kind of food. Tapas mean you have an opportunity to sample dishes without having to order a full entrée. Have you ever made a meal out of appetizers? At Mamacitas, that’s the point!

Featuring an eclectic, young vibe and Latin foods served family style, Mamacitas promises a meal designed to encourage interaction and conversation amongst family and friends.

We had the opportunity to try a few of Mamacitas offerings such as their Chilaquiles (a fantastic twist on nachos with chips sautéed in salsa rojas and topped with a fried egg); Pulled Pork tacos (which feature tender and juicy pork with a subtle but sweet hint of mango flavor) and their Carne Asada tacos (in short: to die for! The meat was perfectly cooked along with beautifully caramelized onions). You can also get the Carne Asada in an entrée. Many of their offerings are also available vegetarian or gluten free.

Craving a sweet treat? Mamacitas has you covered with their dessert menu which includes a Flan; a Flourless Chocolate Cake; and Chocolate Strawberry Empanada with many more options to come. The strawberry empanada tastes like fried summer: a light, flaky crust filled with warm gooey chocolate syrup and strawberries and topped off with soft, cold cream and chocolate flakes.

Of course, a Tapas bar isn’t officially a “bar” without a number of delicious drink options! They have a rotating menu of frozen drinks. The Guava Passion drink is absolutely delicious; cold, tart, and served in a unique and fun glass! Eventually, Mamacitas will have a liquor license so they can expand their drink offerings to include magaritas and the like!

Mamacitas is located at 155 University Ave. in Provo and are currently open from 11am – 9pm Mondays-Thursdays; 11am – 10 pm on Fridays; and Saturday evenings at 4pm.

Wanna try out some Tapas?

Enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a coupon for $5 off any menu item!

GIVEAWAY: Stadium of Fire

It's summer time! America's Freedom Festival has been hard at work prepping for another year of amazing events for the whole family to celebrate the wonderful country that we live in. Here is a list of a few events coming up in the next couple of weeks: 

Children's Parade - June 28

With its longstanding role as part of the Freedom Festival, the Children’s Parade invites participants to demonstrate their pride in America and its heritage. Join 2,500 in this community celebration of patriotism.The Children's Parade will start at 10:30am and begins at 800 East Center Street, ending at 200 East Center Street at the state and county complex in Provo. 

Freedom Awards Gala - July 2 
Hundreds of community leaders, dignitaries and Utah Valley patriots will gather to honor individuals who have espoused the cause of freedom throughout the world. Participants will enjoy not only the inspiring stories of these individuals, but also great food and outstanding entertainment.

Freedom Days - July 3-5
Freedom Days is a community festival in Provo that gathers popular local vendors to showcase artwork, quilts, furniture, jewelry, paintings, clocks, pottery and more. Browse the finest hand-crafted products and unique cultural creative pieces.

Balloon Fest - July 3-5
More than 25,000 spectators will have the opportunity to experience 25 of these magical giants close-up as part of the ever popular Balloon Fest.  Balloons will be flying each morning from 6:30 am-8:00 am, July 3 and 5. The event offers families and children the privilege of walking around the balloons as they inflate.

Freedom Run - July 4
Run for America! And for your own personal achievement! Start your Fourth of July celebration with a 10K, 5K or the Mayor's one-mile fun run.

Grand Parade - July 4

The Grand Parade celebrates freedom and the American dream through bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons and local and national performers. The parade promotes patriotism among the 250,000 spectators, through music, displays, dance, and other creative expression.

Parade Route begins at 9:00 a.m. at 1060 N. University Avenue and ends at 900 East Center Street.

Reserved bleacher seats for the Grand Parade go on sale Monday, June 2nd, 2014. Tickets are sold at the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, 220 West Center St, STE 100, Provo. For directions or other information call (801) 851-2100.

Stadium of Fire - July 4

The patriotic event, sponsored by America’s Freedom Festival at Provo, will also feature special performances by the cast of BYUtv’s immensely popular sketch comedy show, Studio C. J.R. Martinez, former U.S. Army soldier and winner of season 13 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, will host the show.

A New Contest and Giveaway

Clearly, summer is the season of contests and giveaways!
I'm super excited to share information about a giveaway on our UVTogether site as well as a new contest we're hosting on Friday!

On our Utah Valley Together site, we're giving away 2 tickets to dinner and a concert as a part of Sundance's Bluebird Cafe concert series. There's nothing like an evening of good music and good food all enjoyed in the beautiful atmosphere of Sundance!

Be sure to click here to enter by 6/19/2014! The winner will be announced via E-mail, Facebook, and Twitter on Friday.

We're also running another contest this Friday as a part of our Stadium of Fire ticket giveaway. It's a treasure hunt! 

Somewhere in Utah Valley, a special treasure has been hidden and now it's up to you to find it!

Sign up anytime between now and Friday by sending an e-mail to: utahvalleycvb@gmail.com. On Friday, we'll e-mail a clue out to all participants. The first participant to figure out the clue, find the treasure, and bring it to the Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau will win 2 tickets to Stadium of Fire!

Make sure you spread the word via social media using #VisitUtahValley.

Best of luck to all!!

Utah Pasifika Festival

Are you ready for a weekend of delicious food, fun entertainment, and a taste of the Polynesian culture? May 23-25 the Utah Pasifika Festival will be taking place in Downtown Provo around 100 East Center Street. 

The Utah Pasifika Festival strives to, "share, cultivate, and foster their Polynesian heritage and values by providing ways to: nurture a spirit of respect and appreciation for all cultural segments within our local communities; preserve and portray traditional and modern Polynesian art forms (dance, music, crafts, language); promote education and awareness of current and relevant issues; and celebrate the diversity in the world around them." 

Walk around enjoy the different vendors that are set up to help educate and teach about the Polynesian culture. Enjoy delicious Polynesian food that will also be available all weekend long. Don't forget to check out the main stage for a variety of entertainment! 

One of the best parts, they are doing weekly giveaways on their Facebook Page leading up to the event! Currently they are giving away a $40 gift card to Ohana Grill...sign me up!! 

Weekend GIVEAWAY: Tulip Festival

Come welcome spring this April & May by visiting ThanksgivingPoint's 10th Annual Tulip Festival! Enjoy seeing over 250,000 tulips in 137 varieties spread throughout the 55-acre Thanksgiving Point Gardens. The Tulip Festival is something like you've never seen before and is redesigned each year to create a new display.

In addition to the thousands of tulips you'll see, on Fridays and Saturdays the Tulip Festival includes music, vendors, and food. Enjoy themed weekends at the Tulip Festival including, Art Days, Dutch Days and a Swing Dance Party at the Waterfall Ampitheatre. You won't want to miss it!

When:

April 18 - May 3, 2014 (closed Sundays)

Where:

Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Take I-15 to exit #284 in Lehi and proceed west on Clubhouse Drive. Cross the bridge and take an immediate right onto Garden Drive and proceed to the Gardens area.

Admission:

$15 Adult

$12 Child (ages 3-12)

$12 Senior (ages 65+)

*25% discount for military with valid ID

*Free for children ages 2 and under and Thanksgiving Point Members

For more information please visit Utah Valley.com 

Enter below for a chance to win 2 tickets to the Tulip Festival! 2 Winners will be announced on Monday, April 28, 2014. 

GIVEAWAY: Waffle Love

Enter to win 2 FREE waffles to Waffle Love!

GIVEAWAY: Digital Camera for the Tulip Festival

Amazing flowers need an amazing camera. Here is your chance to enter to win a digital camera just in time for Thanksgiving Point's Tulip Festival! Visit our site, UVTogether.com/tulip_festival and enter your name and email address. Simple as that! Look for the picture you see below :)

Thanksgiving Point is celebrating their 10th annual Tulip Festival (250,000 tulips in 137 varieties). Each weekend will have a different theme to it. The opening weekend is Art Days, second weekend is Dutch Days, and third weekend is a swing dance party in the Waterfall Amphitheatre (new this year). They also have a new Thanksgiving Point Gardens App that provides audio tours, maps, and treasure hunt for families. You won't want to miss this! 

The Ultimate Valentine's Getaway Giveaway

Looking to give your Valentine something special this year that they will remember? We've got the giveaway for you! We created this contest with all you lovely couples in mind. The perfect weekend getaway awaits you!
Enter our Ultimate Valentine's Getaway Giveaway for a chance to win:

• One night stay at the Hampton Inn in Lehi
• Couples massage at Brick Canvas at Thanksgiving Point
• $50 dining gift card to Harvest restaurant

The contest runs through February 7th so make sure to enter before then! One winner will be announced on Monday February 10th.

Thanks to all of our sponsors for this giveaway...Hampton Inn, Brick Canvas, and Thanksgiving Point :)

GIVEAWAY: Sundance Resort

Let's have an honest moment right now...we all love the price tag of free. There are so many times I find myself getting something I have no interest in simply because it's free (or on a really good sale). How many of you have experienced this? I'm sure I can't be the only female, or male, who has fallen for corporations tactics to get me hooked. It works on me every time.

So now to the free part of this post. We have 2 tickets to Sundance to giveaway. Yes, free tickets to the beautiful Sundance. These tickets are good for a lift ride until October 13. All you have to do is comment below with your name AND email address and we will select one lucky winner on Monday, September 30 at noon.

I could go on and on about how much I love Sundance and how gorgeous it is up there and list out all the other amazing things you can do up there, but I'll spare you those details and keep this post short :)

CONTEST: We've got spirit, how about you?

Everyone loves to show their school spirit. No matter where you are in school, (middle school, college, or even graduated) everyone loves to show off their team. 

With that said, we're doing a School Spirit photo contest for BYU and UVU. We know that you already have lots of pictures of yourself or family members all done up in cougar or wolverine apparel. So why not go ahead and submit it to Facebook or Instagram? The winner gets a $25 gift card to the bookstore (one winner will be selected from each school). That would pay for a new t-shirt or a third of a book you need for a class ;)

We're making this pretty simple to win. Here's all you have to do:

1. Submit a photo of you showing off your school spirit to Facebook or Instagram
2. Tag us in the photo (@VisitUtahValley)
3. A random winner from each school will be selected on Thursday, September 12 

We know you have pictures already on your phone or computer. So go ahead and submit them today...that bookstore gift card could be yours! 

Giveaway: Unhinged

We are excited to announce that Unhinged has opened in downtown Provo. The store owner, Corey, has so kindly decided to giveaway a hat of your choice to one lucky winner! All you have to do is comment below with your name and email address and a random winner will be selected on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 12:01PM. Here are a few super cute hats you have to choose from...

Located on Center Street in Downtown Provo, Unhinged has joined the downtown family. And let me tell you, this is a store you will love to visit over and over again. As soon as we walked in we were in awe over all of the old furniture and appliances that have been placed in the store. The exposed brick, artistic wood doors, and copper trophies are just a few things that give this store such a unique feel. You can even find the original lights from when the restaurant before it first opened. When you walk in you'll see an old washing machine that has been converted into a water feature. It's the small things like that, that makes this store so unique.

Besides all of the awesome old appliances and furniture, Unhinged is a fabulous clothing store. Corey says the store is a mix of new and vintage and that is something you can see all throughout the store. You can find accessories hanging off of a tree limb and shirts resting in an old oven. They feature modern clothing, gifts, and accessories for both men and women.

The best part of the store, everything you see is for sale! Corey explained how he doesn't like walking into a store and seeing something you want and then having the owner tell you it isn't for sale. Whether you are shopping to add to your closet or are a collector looking to add to your collection, if you see something you want it's up for grabs. Fun fact: all the impressive antiques you see in the store Corey found himself or collectors gave to him.

One aspect that makes Unhinged so unique is its line of designers. A new local designer is featured each month in the store. There is an area upstairs that the designers clothes will be on display and available for purchase. Using local designers gives people the opportunity to wear unique clothes and brands that no one else has. Unhinged also has a store in Salt Lake and Corey works hard to carry brands in the Provo location that no one else has in Salt Lake. Corey is always looking for new designers to feature in his store. If you are interested you can contact him at corey@unhinedslc.com

Unhinged is the perfect shop to find that unusual, one-of-a-kind gift. Walking through and exploring all the unique aspects of the store is an experience of its own...we didn't have the will power to leave we loved it so much! They will be having a Grand Opening party next month on Friday, August 16th.