By Julie Johansen
Shannon Hyatt, chairman of the Swell Country Fest, presented the artist for this year’s event to the Emery County Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday. Performing will be Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. The concert will be on Aug. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The opening act will feature Dyer Highway.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. and a huge giveaway will be awarded at 5:30 p.m. followed by a large water balloon fight. Early tickets are being offered on a flash sale at Smithstix.com and the Emery Aquatic Center until May 10. The early price is $18 for adults and $5 for those ages 5-14. Tickets will increase after the flash sale and at the gate.
Several other entertainment contracts were approved for this year’s Emery County Fair pending approval of the protection clauses in the contracts. These contracts included Paul Draper, mentalist; John Moyer, hypnotist; and Dan Paulus, magician. Bouncin’ Bin Rentals and Ultimate Inflatables rental agreements were also approved to be used at the county fair Aug 1-3.
Also during the meeting, an annual property tax exemption list for charitable, religious and non-profit organizations was approved.
Sheriff Greg Funk then requested a transfer of money into the special department supplies so that the sheriff’s office can purchase new matching uniforms and equipment for the entire department. This was to be used only if their regular funds were not adequate. The sheriff continued to report double coverage for Easter weekend on the desert. The Bureau of Land Management law enforcement will also assist the sheriff’s deputies. Emery County Search and Rescue has already had a busy spring and expect it to continue. Funk’s hope is that everyone will be safe and use caution as they celebrate.