Join the entire Heber Valley community as we honor the 25th anniversary of September 11th through a day of remembrance and service — and celebrate America’s 250th year in the most fitting way possible: by serving one another.

• Saturday, September 12, 2026
• Opening Ceremonies: 9:00–9:30 am, Service Projects: 10:00 am to Noon
• Heber Main Street Park | 200 S Main Street, Heber City, UT

Start the morning with a free light breakfast, a flag ceremony, and a heartfelt remembrance of 9/11. Then choose from a variety of service projects across Wasatch County — there’s something meaningful for everyone, every age, every ability.

• Bring your family and friends and help us come together as a community in the spirit that has always defined America — neighbor helping neighbor.
• Ready to serve? Sign in to your JustServe account at justserve.org to view and register for available projects. New to JustServe? Sign up free — it only takes a minute.

Fred Mertlich’s artwork captures the places, structures, landscapes, and subjects that help tell the story of Utah and Wasatch County. His detailed illustrations preserve the past while documenting the present for future generations.

Through his artwork, Mertlich has helped create a visual record of Wasatch County, capturing historic buildings and familiar scenes that connect generations. His work is not limited to the past; recent illustrations include the Wasatch County Library buildings and surrounding schools. His work reflects a lifelong appreciation for history, architecture, nature, and the communities that make Utah unique.

Art Reception: Friday, September 25, 5- 6 p.m., at Wasatch County Library. Community members are invited to attend the reception and recognize an artist whose work has contributed to the preservation of local Wasatch County history. This reception will also be in honor of Mertlich’s 90th birthday.

Contact: Juan Lee, Wasatch County Library Director,
435-654-1511, jlee@wasatchcounty.utah.gov

On September 19–20, 2026, some of the world’s best mountain bikers will descend on Soldier Hollow for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series presented by Scott Sports. Athletes from around the globe will compete on the same mountains that have made this valley a destination for elite outdoor competition—and they’ll be doing it right here in our backyard.

And while the racers are the stars of the show, this is about more than bikes.

It’s an opportunity for Heber Valley to welcome the world.

From Olympic Legacy to Mountain Bike Mecca

Soldier Hollow has been welcoming world-class athletes for more than two decades. As one of the primary venues for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, it hosted cross-country skiing and biathlon and established itself as a place where extraordinary athletes come to compete.

Today, that Olympic legacy continues—on two wheels.

The Soldier Hollow mountain bike course will put elite athletes to the test with steep climbs, technical terrain and high-speed sections. The weekend will feature two disciplines: Cross-country Olympic (XCO), a mass-start, multi-lap race that typically lasts 80–90 minutes for elite competitors, and Cross-country Short Track (XCC), a shorter, faster race lasting roughly 20–25 minutes.

In other words: bring your cowbell. This is not your average Sunday bike ride.

The event also builds on Soldier Hollow’s successful hosting of the 2024 Pan American Mountain Bike Championships, further establishing the venue as a premier destination for international cycling competition.

A Big Weekend for a Small Valley

When an international sporting event comes to town, the impact reaches well beyond the course.

Athletes arrive with coaches and support teams. Fans travel to watch their favorite riders. Media members need places to stay, eat and work. Visitors fill gas tanks, grab coffee, shop, explore and experience everything the valley has to offer.

That makes an event like the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series an important local economic opportunity—and a chance to showcase the Heber Valley businesses that make our community special.

Our hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, outfitters, service businesses and attractions all become part of the welcome.

This is what it looks like when our community becomes the destination.

And for visitors arriving from around the country and around the world, a mountain bike race may be what brings them here—but the Heber Valley experience is what they’ll remember.

Cheer on the World

The best part? You don’t have to travel across the globe to experience world-class competition.

It’s coming to us.

Head to Soldier Hollow on September 19–20 and watch Olympic-caliber athletes battle their way around the course. Cheer for the Americans. Pick a favorite international rider. Bring the kids. Bring your friends. Bring plenty of enthusiasm.

Among the athletes with a special connection to our region is Haley Batten, the Park City native and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist who has trained at Soldier Hollow. Her presence is a reminder that some of the very best athletes in the world have deep roots in Utah’s mountains.

For young cyclists in Heber Valley, seeing that level of competition up close can be especially meaningful. Today’s spectators may be watching tomorrow’s Olympians.

A Heber Valley Welcome

There’s something pretty wonderful about watching the world arrive in a place we get to call home.

We know these mountains. We know the trails. We know the drive through the valley, the views from the Wasatch Back and the little places worth stopping along the way.

Now, for one September weekend, we get to share it.

So let’s give these athletes, teams and visitors the kind of welcome Heber Valley does best.

Welcome to Heber Valley.

Come for the racing. Stay for the mountains. Explore our businesses. Eat local. Shop local. And while you’re here, cheer on some of the most talented mountain bikers on the planet.

The world is coming to our backyard. Let’s show them what makes Heber Valley special.

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series
September 19–20, 2026
Soldier Hollow Sport Discovery Center | Midway, Utah

For event and spectator information, visit the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event page

Learn more about our local Team Soldier Hollow Mountain Bike Team https://hebervalleylife.com/dream-big/

The free community event will take place on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, with two performances at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Wasatch County Events Center in Heber City.

Guests are invited to experience a live presentation of the Nativity and enjoy light refreshments following the celebration. Admission is free, making this a wonderful opportunity to gather with family, friends, and neighbors and enjoy a meaningful start to the holiday season.

Event Details:
When: Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Wasatch County Events Center, 415 Southfield Road, Heber City, Utah 84032
Admission: Free

Bring your family and invite your friends and neighbors to this annual Heber Valley Christmas tradition.

WHIMSY! was written by local playwright and artist Susette Gertsch and is directed by Laurie Turnblom, retired director of the Wasatch High School Theatre Department. WHIMSY! is a heartwarming musical fantasy celebrating imagination, courage, and the extraordinary things that happen when we dare to dream beyond the voices that whisper, “Not good enough.” Filled with original music, memorable characters, and uplifting storytelling, the production is designed to delight audiences of all ages. The Ideal Playhouse’s large LED screen and imaginative staging will help bring the magical world of WHIMSY! to life.

“WHIMSY! is a story of courage, love, and imagination. It celebrates the creative spark in every heart,” said Susette Gertsch. “We can’t wait to share this story with our community and invite audiences of all ages to experience the magic together.”

We invite you to be a part of this exciting world premiere. Video auditions remain open through August 19, and the production is seeking performers, paid production team members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to help bring this exciting new musical to life.

WHIMSY! is made possible in part through generous support from the Heber City TAP Tax, Wasatch County TAP Tax, Art Around the Square, and additional community sponsors and donors.

Art Around the Square is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the Wasatch County and Heber Valley communities by creating high-quality performing and visual arts experiences that inspire, educate, and bring people together.

Performance Dates

October 15–17 & 22–24, 2026

Evening performances and Saturday matinees at the Ideal Playhouse, 113 North Main Street, Heber City, Utah.

Tickets Now on Sale

Be among the first to experience WHIMSY! For tickets, audition information, volunteer opportunities, and additional details, visit WhimsyMusical.com. Email questions to WhimsyUpdates@gmail.com.

Don’t miss this cast of nationally acclaimed singers bringing Copland’s timeless score to life, accompanied by a chamber orchestra. Before the curtain rises, enjoy complimentary American bites by Chef Galen Zamarra, a cash bar with a signature cocktail by Alpine Distillery, and folk music!

Join us July 18 & 19th at Temple Har Shalom—get your tickets today!

About The Tender Land:

Deeply rooted in the American spirit, Copland’s The Tender Land portrays one young woman’s quiet but radical act of choosing her own future. Set against the open landscapes of the American West, The Tender Land is a coming-of-age story about longing, independence, and resilience in the face of hardship.

As Laurie stands on the brink of her high school graduation, the arrival of a handsome outsider awakens dreams of a life beyond her family’s farm. When hope, love, and disappointment collide, she must decide whether to remain within the life she knows or step boldly into the unknown.

Unsure which plants to use in your landscape conversion project?  Check out the following plant lists specific for Utah landscapes:

• cuwcd.gov/plants
• conservationgardenpark.org
• water.utah.gov/water-wise-plants
• utahplantfinder.com

The meeting will feature a presentation by Club President Mark Avery titled “Ancient Trade Routes: Kingdoms & Coins (Part II – Roman, Bactrian and Chinese Empires along the Silk Road).” The program will explore how coins helped shape commerce and culture across some of history’s most influential civilizations, offering attendees a fascinating look at the role of currency along the legendary Silk Road.

Held in the library’s Back Briefing Room on the main floor (650 E. 1200 South, Heber City), the monthly gathering welcomes collectors of all experience levels—from seasoned numismatists to those simply interested in history.

The Wasatch Coin & History Club focuses on ancient, world, and U.S. coins, tokens, artifacts, and the stories behind them. Attendees are encouraged to bring coins or historical items to share with the group, along with the stories that make them meaningful. Meetings also include prize drawings featuring coins and other collectibles.

The club regularly hosts presentations from members and guest speakers, creating opportunities to learn about numismatics, archaeology, history, and related topics. Meeting facilities include audiovisual equipment and presentation space for speakers.

Everyone is welcome to attend, including families, beginners, and lifelong collectors—”young and young at heart.”

The Wasatch Coin & History Club is supported by several regional and national numismatic businesses, including All About Coins, Coinzio, Freewater Coins, Scotsman Coin & Auctions, Ken Dorney Rare Coins, Forum Coins, Heritage Coin Auctions, Vaughn Rare Coins, and Interesting Coins.

For more information, contact Mark Avery at 615-482-9747 or popsavery1@gmail.com, or Lee McKenzie at leefmck@gmail.com.

Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash

Join our Wasatch Citizens Academy and get an inside look at the departments and people who keep our community running every day. From public works and property taxes to the sheriff’s office and development services, you’ll learn how decisions are made and how services are delivered during this six-session program. This program is free for Wasatch County residents.

The curriculum will include information about development services, which includes planning, zoning, and building; taxes, community services, emergency services, and administrative services, and includes facility tours and meeting with county staff.

Questions? Contact Dan Fillmore at dfillmore@wasatchcounty.gov

2026 Citizens Academy Dates:

July 16: Sheriff’s Office

July 23 & 30: No classes due to Demolition Derby and Rodeo

August 6: Tax Services

August 13:  Administrative Services

August 20: Development Services

August 27: Library and Senior Center

September 3: Parks and Recreation

All sessions begin at 6 p.m. We ask that you only register if you can commit to all six sessions.

Register here

Source https://www.wasatchcounty.gov/

The annual event has become a significant draw for the region, attracting participants and spectators from across the western United States. Organizers expect the week-long competition to generate tourism activity throughout Heber Valley while showcasing the area’s hospitality, recreation opportunities, and western heritage.

The competition will culminate on Saturday, June 20, with the highly anticipated Road to the Million Championship Night. The event will feature the top Pre-Futurity Heading, Heeling, and Breakaway competitors competing for more than $2.5 million in prize money, including the opportunity to earn a coveted $1 million bonus.

Championship Night offers more than just world-class competition. Attendees will also enjoy live performances by acclaimed western entertainers Dave Stamey and Gunnar Latham, creating an evening that blends western sports, music, and family-friendly entertainment.

Gates for the championship event open at 6 p.m., with opening ceremonies scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Wasatch County Event Complex in Heber City.

Tickets are available for $35 for general admission, while children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

For residents and visitors alike, the Old West Futurity offers a unique opportunity to experience the highest levels of western equine competition while supporting an event that continues to bring national attention to Heber Valley’s rich ranching and rodeo traditions.

Additional information and tickets are available through the Old West Futurity website.