While it’s possible some residents have grown weary of all the Flaming Gorge Days preparation and promotion during the past several weeks, the importance of the coming weekend cannot be overstated.
To a certain extent, we believe its safe to say the yearly event has become something that many residents have taken for granted over the years. There’s always been a Flaming Gorge Days celebration for many of the people living in Sweetwater County. Most have grown up attending the yearly parade down Flaming Gorge Way or Uinta Drive, watching or competing in the basketball competition, munching on snacks purchased from vendors at Festival in the Park and so on.
Yet, as many of our readers are aware, the volunteer committee that plans and hosts the event year after year, has struggled financially. There is the very real possibility Green River’s iconic weekend of fun could disappear. We prefer to remain optimistic that the committee will find a way through these difficult times and the event will continue for another 50 years and beyond.
To put it simply, we don’t like the idea of Green River without Flaming Gorge Days. It’s a bleak, depressing idea and we hate it. Flaming Gorge Days is one of the few events throughout the year where the attention of people living in the region shifts to Green River. People travel to Green River not just for the concerts, but for many of the other events as well. The annual three-on-three basketball tournament has attracted players who have gone on to play in the NBA and European League basketball. Many local businesses report a large surge in activity during the week leading up to the event, with Green River’s hotels bringing in tens of thousands in additional revenue they wouldn’t have received otherwise.
Flaming Gorge Days needs our support and the committee has done a lot in changing up some of the weekend’s events to attract locals, as well as visitors. The Battle of the Bands Thursday night is a wonderful showcase that allows our friends and neighbors a chance to shine in the spotlight -- as well as a chance at the incredibly sweet prize of opening for professional musicians. The Family Fun Glow Run, also on Thursday, sounds like it would be an absolute blast to take part in as well.
Residents should cherish and enjoy Flaming Gorge Days. Without the annual weekend of fun, we’re convinced Green River would be a much more dreary place without it.
Reader Comments(0)