The Independent

08/31/2025

It’s back! The Red Rocks Improv Festival returns for its 15th year September 18–20, filling the OTC Comedy Theater in Cedar City with three nights of bold, surprising, and hilarious unscripted comedy.

A Festival of Styles

Each night of the festival begins at 8 PM and offers something different, with improv troupes from across the country bringing their own twists to the stage. Audiences can expect a wide variety of performances, from musical improv and improvised noir to parody podcasts and Dungeons & Dragons–inspired shows. With no scripts and no safety nets, every night is a fresh adventure.

Tickets are priced at $10 per night, or attendees can purchase an All-Fest Pass for $25 to enjoy the entire weekend of laughter. Tickets are available now at otccomedy.com/rrif.

Fifteen Years of Funny

For a decade and a half, the Red Rocks Improv Festival has been a cornerstone of Cedar City’s comedy community.

08/30/2025

Escalante Canyons Art Festival (ECAF) will celebrate its 21st year in the breathtaking red rock scenery of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument from September 19 to 28, 2025. What began as a grassroots effort to bring artists into the wild beauty of southern Utah has grown into a multifaceted, ten-day event that blends art, music, natural history, and community.

This year’s lineup is as diverse as the landscape itself, offering opportunities for every kind of creative. Visual art takes center stage, with demonstrations and classes across a wide range of styles. Attendees can learn the fine lines of woodcut printmaking, explore simplified watercolor plein air, practice painting shapes and shadows in the shifting sun, or dive into on-site oil painting sessions. Other workshops include composing a Southwestern landscape and creating nature-inspired abstracts—each offering practical instruction while surrounded by some of the most dramatic terrain in the West.

Celebrate the 21st Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Sept. 19–28, 2025. Enjoy workshops, plein air competitions, music, wood carvings, quilt exhibits, and naturalist excursions in Escalante, Utah.

08/29/2025

By Judith Henck, Silver Reef

Silver Reef, Utah — By the time Ann Bassett arrived in the quiet mining town of Silver Reef in the 1950s, she was already a living legend. Known in her youth as “Queen Ann” or the “Queen of the Rustlers,” Bassett’s name carried stories of cattle wars, outlaw friendships, and courtroom drama. But it was here, in a small stone house along the red cliffs of southern Utah, that she lived out her final years—guarding cemeteries, writing her memories, and proving that her fiery spirit never dimmed.
Bassett was born in Browns Park, a remote valley along the Green River where Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah meet. Her refined Virginian mother renamed the area from “Browns Hole” and raised her daughters with toughness and grace. Ann grew up surrounded by ranchers and travelers—and sometimes fugitives. Names like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were not whispered outlaws in her home, but dinner guests and ranch hands.

Discover the untold Silver Reef years of Ann Bassett, the “Queen of the Rustlers.” Once a Browns Park legend and associate of Butch Cassidy, Bassett lived her final chapter in southern Utah, guarding cemeteries and preserving history. Her story will come alive during Silver Reef Ghost Nights, Oc...

08/29/2025

Raise a glass: the Utah Wine Festival returns August 29–31, 2025, bringing three days of wine, food, and community to Southern Utah. Now in its seventh year, the festival has become the state’s premier celebration of Utah wines and local cuisine.
The Utah Wine Festival is unique in its focus—showcasing exclusively Utah wineries alongside the culinary talents of top chefs from around the state. Attendees can look forward to an intimate weekend filled with tastings, pairings, and educational experiences that highlight the artistry behind the region’s growing wine culture.
Festival organizers emphasize quality over quantity, keeping event sizes small to ensure a personal and welcoming atmosphere. Popular events from past years will return, including vineyard picnics, guided tastings, and wine-paired dinners. Guests can also expect new experiences designed to expand appreciation for both wine and food.
With limited tickets available for each event, early purchase is highly recommended.

The Utah Wine Festival returns to Cedar City August 29–31, 2025. Now in its seventh year, this premier Southern Utah event showcases Utah wineries and top chefs through tastings, pairings, and exclusive culinary experiences.

08/29/2025

The Iron County Fair is back this Labor Day weekend, August 28 through September 1, 2025, bringing five days of tradition, excitement, and community spirit to the Parowan fairgrounds.
Known as one of Southern Utah’s favorite end-of-summer celebrations, the Iron County Fair blends small-town charm with big entertainment. Families, neighbors, and visitors gather each year to share memories, enjoy new experiences, and celebrate the season.
This year’s fair lineup is packed with events for every age and interest. From adrenaline-pumping competitions like the demolition derby, mud bog, and mud run to family-friendly classics like the baby contest, exhibits, and tractor show, the fairgrounds will be alive with nonstop activity.
Rodeo fans won’t want to miss the PRCA Pro Rodeo, along with ranch rodeo events, team roping, and the Little Buckaroo Jr. Rodeo. The fair also features 4-H horse rides, livestock shows, and local rodeo events that highlight the area’s rich agricultural heritage.

Plan your next wedding, corporate retreat, or community celebration at the Iron County Event Center in Cedar City. With flexible spaces, modern amenities, and stunning Utah scenery, this venue combines natural beauty with convenience for unforgettable events.

08/26/2025

September 7, 2025 // 5–9 PM // Kayenta Art Village – Walton Commons Courtyard
Food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and festival goers—mark your calendars. Taste of the Town at Kayenta is returning for an unforgettable evening that blends Southern Utah’s culinary talent with the spectacular backdrop of Kayenta’s red rock cliffs.
Hosted by St. George City Lifestyle Magazine and the Kayenta Arts Foundation, this one-of-a-kind food and wine festival invites guests to sip, savor, and celebrate the region’s growing restaurant scene and expanding beer and wine offerings.

Food, Wine, and Community Spirit
The event highlights local chefs, wineries, and breweries in a showcase designed to spotlight the diversity and creativity of Southern Utah’s culinary culture. From artfully plated bites to bold craft beverages, every tasting is a reflection of the community’s growing food scene.
It’s more than just a night of indulgence.

Join Taste of the Town at Kayenta on Sept. 7, 2025, for an evening of food, wine, and community under the red rocks. Proceeds benefit the Kayenta Arts Foundation.

08/25/2025

The Dixie Sunbowl is about to come alive with the sound of country and rock as the I-15 Country Rock Music Festival returns September 4–6. Featuring a mix of legendary headliners, chart-topping artists, and some of the best tribute bands in the nation, this three-day outdoor music event is set to be one of Southern Utah’s biggest weekends of live entertainment.
Festivalgoers can expect high-energy performances under the late-summer sky, with food, drinks, and craft vendors rounding out the experience. Whether you’re a diehard fan of classic rock, new country, or nostalgic tributes, there’s something for everyone at the I-15 Country Rock Music Festival.

The 2025 Lineup
Thursday, Sept. 4

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
Canaan Smith
Another Journey (Journey tribute)
Eric Sages Young Guns (tribute to today’s country stars)
Heart Benatar (Heart & Pat Benatar tribute)

Friday, Sept.

The I-15 Country Rock Music Festival returns to the Dixie Sunbowl in St. George, Sept. 4–6, 2025. Three days of live music with Starship, Ty Herndon, Lorrie Morgan, and top tribute acts. Tickets available now.

08/24/2025

The St. George Arts Commission is once again bringing arts leaders and advocates together for the annual Arts Summit, a one-day conference designed to spark collaboration, strengthen organizations, and celebrate the essential role of the arts in community life.
Set for Friday, August 29 at the Electric Theater Center in downtown St. George, the summit will feature a lineup of dynamic speakers, networking opportunities, and interactive sessions tailored for artists, arts administrators, and cultural organizations.
This year’s keynote speaker is Britannia Howe, an acclaimed stage director and teaching artist whose talk, “Create Anyway: Courage in the Act of Making,” promises to inspire attendees to embrace bold creativity in their work.
Participants can also choose from engaging sessions led by arts professionals across the state.

08/23/2025

Hurricane’s beloved tradition returns this Labor Day weekend with the 27th annual Peach Days: A Celebration of Our Heritage. From Thursday, August 28 through Saturday, August 30, the community will once again gather for a full lineup of parades, contests, displays, rodeo action, live entertainment, and, of course, plenty of peaches.

Organizers are gearing up for one of the most exciting Peach Days yet. The festival features commercial and food vendors, homemade sales booths, and continuous entertainment across multiple days. Visitors can enjoy live music, a bustling parade, a thrilling rodeo, and family-friendly attractions that honor the heritage of Hurricane and its surrounding communities.
A hallmark of Peach Days is the chance for community members to share their creativity and talents. Each year, locals enter items in the Fine Arts, Home Arts, and Garden, Canning, Baking, and Small Farm displays. Every entry receives a ribbon, with some categories offering cash prizes.

08/22/2025

Cedar City is about to roar back to life as the Dirt Rebelution off-road race takes over Iron Springs Resort on September 5–6. Known as one of the most exciting stops on the off-road circuit, this annual event brings motorcycles, quads, three-wheelers, and UTVs to Southern Utah’s red dirt for a weekend of pure adrenaline. Best of all, spectators get in free.

“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” says event manager Kristy Jackson. “On Friday, fans can get right up close to the vehicles at our fanfest, and then Saturday we’ve got the big race. The best part—it’s free for everyone to come enjoy!”
The action begins Friday with a pre-run lap, racer registration, technical inspections, and a racer’s meeting to kick off the weekend. Saturday is race day, with motorcycles and quads in the morning and side-by-sides (SXS) taking on the course in the afternoon.
At roughly 60 miles per lap with two pit stops, the course challenges both racers and machines.

Get ready for Dirt Rebelution 2025 in Cedar City, Utah. September 5–6 at Iron Springs Resort, enjoy free spectator entry, motorcycles, quads, UTV races, vendors, and a weekend of off-road thrills.

08/21/2025

If summer had a taste, it would be sweet corn, hot from the pot and dripping with butter. Enterprise celebrates that perfect flavor with its annual Cornfest on Saturday, August 23, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Hosted by Enterprise City, this homegrown festival transforms the town into a hub of food, music, and family fun.
The highlight, of course, is the corn. Fresh from local fields, it’s served all day alongside festival favorites from local vendors. Eating contests test just how much golden goodness visitors can handle, while the Dutch Oven Dinner from 6 to 8 PM supports Enterprise High School’s girls soccer team in their debut season.
But Cornfest is more than just food. The day kicks off with a car show featuring polished classics and muscle machines sure to please auto enthusiasts. Live music runs all day, setting the soundtrack for strolling through the local art and maker fair at the community building.

Enterprise Cornfest returns August 23 with a full day of food, music, and fun in Enterprise, Utah. Enjoy farm-fresh corn, classic cars, bounce houses, local vendors, a Dutch oven dinner, and community theater.

08/19/2025

This fall, Liora Healing invites women from all walks of life to gather in the red rock sanctuary of Santa Clara, Utah, for a one-of-a-kind experience designed to awaken, empower, and nourish the feminine spirit. The “Embracing Beauty and Femininity” Women’s Wellness Retreat, happening October 2 through 5, 2025, offers a heartfelt space to reconnect with your inner radiance and worthiness.

Kaden Barlow

Led by Liora Healing founder Kaden Barlow, the retreat promises soulful connection and gentle integration, combining guided meditations, spiritual healing practices, and community sisterhood in a relaxed, supportive setting. “Every person is unconditionally worthy of healing,” says Barlow. “My purpose is to be that sacred space holder for you, as you come to the remembrance of your divine wholeness.”

Expect to step away from the noise and pressure of daily life and step into your softness, strength, and self-love through modalities rooted in Kaden’s deep background in ThetaHealing.
’sempowerment ’swellness

Reconnect with your inner radiance at the “Embracing Beauty and Femininity” Women’s Wellness Retreat, October 2–5 in Santa Clara, Utah. Hosted by Liora Healing, the retreat offers meditative healing, soulful sisterhood, and self-love in the red rocks.