By Julie Johansen
The fourth annual Joe’s Valley Bouldering Fest delighted many even though rainy and cold weather threatened to dampen the fun. Nearly 400 participants braved the weather and participated in the three-day event in Emery County.
Some of the highlights each year are the cowboy and climber games. Other activities included two sessions of yoga in the park, ghost tours, and, new this year, a chili dog cook-off at the climbing sites in New Joe’s.
Artisan clinics included making beef jerky at Ungerman’s, screen printing at TC West, giant pizza makin’ by R Pizza Place and caramel apple decorating led by Forbidden Fruit Sweet Shoppe. Breakfasts were sponsored by Cup of Joe, Lamy’s and Food Ranch. Uinta Brewing hosted happy hour followed by Legends and Lore of Joe’s Valley presented by Neal Peacock and Steven Jeffery.
Attendees even took time to remove graffiti from boulders on the way to New Joe’s and muck from the gutters at the Emery County Recreation Center.
This annual non-profit event brings many climbers and onlookers to the area, including a filming company interested in the event. Tickets are purchased months in advance online as well as at the opening event on Friday morning.
