George StreetFest success reflects bigger picture of a new downtown St. George

Image: Emceesquare Media & Events

Written by George Scott

A week ago today, an estimated 2,500 people gathered in the streets of downtown St. George to take part in southern Utah’s new First Friday celebration, George StreetFest, and several members of The Independent were in attendance for this monumental event. Though the weather threatened, it held back as the community came together to celebrate the best of southern Utah.

There were smiles all around as people of every age and walk of life strolled the streets, mingled, and interacted with their family, friends, and neighbors. The exciting festival sounds and feel permeated the air from the street market, stage concert, food truck village, and through the Zion Brewing Company Jazz Garden. Local bands Beans and Wheels and Soul What!? brought electric energy to the stage as they put on a concert that had people singing, dancing, and feeling alive.

The Zion Brewing Company Jazz Garden was a major success, staying packed from the first tap until last call, as more than 500 people took advantage of being able to have an adult beverage as part of the celebration. In fact, it was a much bigger attraction than had been anticipated with the beer selling out.

Hugh Brown made downtown St. George and George First Friday Streetfest history with his purchase of the first beer served—an event caught in pictures exclusively by The Independent. Iron Gate Winery of Cedar City was there as well, offering several selections from the local winery. Appetizers from Benja’s and Twisted Noodle Café were both eye appealing and palate pleasing. Garden goers enjoyed a live performance by the West Coast Jazz Players as they enjoyed the ambiance of the center court of Ancestor Square. The reception and attendance of the Jazz Garden was so overwhelming that event organizers are considering plans for expansion at the next event on July 3.

Speaking of July 3, St. George Main Street will close once again between Tabernacle and St. Boulevard from 6 to 10 p.m. as it transforms into another evening community celebration. This time the Precision Hearing Main Street Concert will feature opening act local musician Kaitlin Sevy, and local band Morning Pretty. Headline guest bands from Los Angeles will follow and include Sego and Golden Sun.

With so much happening from Friday through Saturday, one way to enjoy the next First Friday weekend is to do a “Downtown Weekend.” The Independent will have live coverage and updates beginning Friday morning through Saturday night each month. If you cannot make it in person, consider following The Independent on one of our social media pages, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

For the inaugural George First Friday Streetfest, The Independent showcased several dining options, including Twisted Noodle, TwentyFive Main, and Painted Pony. We “headquartered” by staying at The Inn at St. George, which is conveniently located downtown next door to Ancestor Square. The comfortable rooms, hospitable staff, and easy access for walking downtown made this a very pleasurable weekend, with one of the highlights of the downtown “stay-cation” being massages from Lisa and Tori at Destinations Organic Salon and Spa, located at 146 N. 200 W.

Multiple social media posts covered the happenings of the George First Friday Streetfest, with pictures and videos. As the weekend continued and Friday became Saturday, the Independent highlighted the Downtown Farmers Market, various shopping opportunies, the Ukulele Festival at The DiFiore Center, and a few of the other downtown St. George sites, buildings, and art.

The upcoming Independent Downtown Weekend in July to accompany the next George Streetfest will be a spectacular weekend that will include a significant amount of coverage of the Fourth of July Celebration which will be expanded greatly this year to include activities both at Vernon Worthen Park and Town Square Park. We certainly encourage you to come out and experience it all in person, but we will capture the happenings of the events all weekend long. See you downtown!

Photo gallery images from The Independent