The NUT is coming to Ogden
A new fall trail celebration combines nature, art, music, and trail activities for all with camping on site over the weekend.
By Stephen St. Peter
Ogden News
Ogden, clear your calendars October 7-9 because Trails Foundation of Northern Utah along with the GOAL Foundation and Weber County Parks and Recreation are hosting the first annual Northern Utah Trailfest (NUT).
This premier event will be at North Fork Park, one of Utah’s certified International Dark Sky Parks, that can be enjoyed to the fullest if you opt to camp out there. Yeah! Tent camping and RV spots are available. VIP spots are already sold out.
Trail users of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend, either camping for the weekend ($25 tent/$40 RV both nights) or spending a day at Cutler Flats Base Camp to enjoy tasty food, and free live music and festival activities—guided hikes, stargazing, yoga, poetry—surrounded by the beauty of fall foliage.
The trail fest features two race courses, one bike course and one trail run/hike course; the length of the courses are 7 miles and 3.5 miles respectively. Race participants will have the choice of various time categories—three-six-nine hour options for the run/hike and three or six hour options for the bike race. Winners will be determined by the number of laps completed in registered categories. Pre-registration is required; cost ranges from $65 to $115 for the races.
If you aren’t into trail racing, no fear, there will be plenty of festivities taking place from live music, workshops, guided hikes, vendors and more.
Although the VIP camping spots went to a dozen early registrants, a VIP experience will still be had by all. There is no shortage of free programming, as previously mentioned.
Check-in begins at 4 p.m. Friday evening and festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with live acoustic music and yoga. Then, from 7 p.m.– 9 p.m. Ogden Nature Center (ONC) is hosting a guided stargazing experience, “Connecting with the Cosmos,” delivered by their own teacher and naturalist Kylie Brandt-Friedman.
Friday night, be sure to stop by the Reading and Writing Creativity Cabana ran by Ogden’s Poet Laureate Angelika Brewer who will be accompanied by other local wordsmiths Rees Sweeten and Wynter Storm; they will hosting workshops and passing out free journaling material for you and your family to chronicle the weekend.
Did I not say a VIP experience for all? All of these offerings, and this is only Friday night!
Saturday, before your race or hike, warm up with Sunrise Yoga starting at 7 a.m. or just grab a coffee from one of the many on-site vendors.
Racing, and the Weber State University guided hike to Ben Lomond begin at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is required for races (bike/run) and the guided hike.
Remember, if you’re not racing or hiking there is plenty more going on Saturday including educational demonstrations and live performances.
ONC will be back on Saturday with falconer and educator Heidi Christiansen who is bringing along Sampson, the red-tailed hawk, a common Utahraptor. Another featured educator is Teal Anderson who will be speaking to the importance of preserving the monarch butterfly species, and pass out free milkweed seed so you can help.
Martial art demonstrations, wellness workshops, and a vendor village are also planned.
There are a growing number of vendors; check the NUT website for the most up-to-date information.
Make sure to be at the main stage around 4 p.m. when The Proper Way starts off the live music and an awards show, followed by more performances from bands like Sunfish, Sammy Brue, and others who will take us to the twilight hours where, hopefully, we will find a better appreciation for the cosmos revealed above.
If you stay all the way to Sunday you can wake up and participate in a nice morning hike or bike ride, more morning yoga, food served until noon, and an opportunity to take part in the first annual family photo.
Come take part in this fun-filled weekend, a perfect autumn event for the whole family.
If you want to be a part of the NUT, there are still both volunteer and vendor opportunities available.
Vendor registration is free, but understand due to the remoteness of the location there will be limited services and Wi-Fi can be spotty.
All are encouraged, vendors and volunteers, to be a part of the fest this year and for years to come.
The many great events we hold in this Ogden area come together with the continued support from community members like you. Can’t wait to see everyone out there October 7-9, 2022 at North Fork Park.
Tell you what…I’m going nuts for this upcoming NUT!
More information at northernutahtrailfest.com.
Photos courtesy of GOAL Foundation.
