The festival will feature returning favorites including the Red, White, and Blue Parade, Main-to-Main 5K and 10K races, Freedom Trains aboard the Heber Valley Railroad, Midway’s Small-Town 4th Celebration, and fireworks over Heber Valley. This year also introduces several new events, including 1776 The Musical live production, a community mosaic art project, and a noteworthy tribute band outdoor concert at the park.

“This year’s festival is designed to be more than a Fourth of July event. It’s a celebration of America’s history, our local traditions, and the spirit of small-town patriotism that defines this valley” said Jessica Broadhead, Deputy Director at Heber Valley Tourism, Chamber, and Economic Development, and board member for the Red, White, and Blue Festival non-profit. “With the nation preparing to commemorate America250, we wanted to expand the experience and create something residents and visitors can enjoy across multiple days.”

Festivities begin Thursday, July 2, with the popular Heber Market on Main. On Friday, July 3, festival attendees can enjoy a free outdoor concert featuring American Soldier, a Toby Keith tribute band, at Heber City Main Street Park. Saturday, July 4, delivers a full day of events across the valley, including races, a parade, family activities, art exhibits, live entertainment, family-friendly trains, theatre performances, fireworks, and small-town celebrations in both Heber and Midway.

2026 Red, White, and Blue Festival Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 2

5:00 – 9:00 pm: Heber Market on Main featuring live music, food booths, and local artisans

Friday, July 3

7:00 – 10:00 pm: Free concert highlighting American Soldier, a Toby Keith tribute band

Saturday, July 4

Heber City

6:30 am: Hot air balloon activities at Heber Valley Airport

7:00 am: Main-to-Main 5K and 10K Run/Walk at Heber City Park

8:00 am: Chuckwagon breakfast and flag ceremony at Heber City Park

9:00 am: Red, White, and Blue Parade in Heber City

9:00, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm: Freedom Trains aboard the Heber Valley Railroad

10:00 am – 4:30 pm: Festival vendors and market at Heber City Park

10:00 am – 2:00 pm: Cornhole tournament and family activities at Heber City Park

12:00 – 1:00 pm: Live outdoor concert at Heber City Park

12:00 pm: Free hot dog lunch at Heber City Park

1:30 pm: Pie eating contest at Heber City Park

2:00 pm: 1776 The Musical at Timpanogos Valley Theatre

2:00 pm: Guns vs. Hoses Tug o’ War competition at Heber City Park

2:45 pm: Rootbeer chugging contest at Heber City Park

3:00 pm: Strong Man competition at Heber City Park

Midway

6:00 am: Cannon blast in Midway

7:00 am: Flag ceremony and performances at Midway Town Square

8:00 am: Pancake breakfast at Midway Town Square

8:00 am – 4:00 pm: Wasatch Plein Air Paradise art exhibit at Midway Town Square

8:30 am: Bike parade at Midway Town Square

8:00 – 10:00 pm: Utah Symphony performance at Midway Town Square

10:00 pm: Fireworks from Memorial Hill over the valley

The three-day celebration includes traditional small-town festivities and patriotic activities across the valley. Located just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, 50 minutes from Provo Airport, and only 25 minutes from Park City, the Heber Valley continues to position itself as one of Utah’s premier destinations for summer events, outdoor recreation, and family travel. Additional festival details, registrations, and event updates are available at HeberRedWhiteAndBlueFest.com. High-res images of the day’s festivities are available here.

From Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5, Main Street Park transforms into the heartbeat of Heber City, buzzing with music, laughter, and red, white and blue pride. At its core, the festival is about one simple idea: bringing people together. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers has spent months planning every detail to create a weekend that feels festive, welcoming, and full of hometown pride. A special thank you to committee members Kelleen Potter, Rachel Kahler, Jessica Broadhead, Dallin Koecher, Colleen Bonner, Matt Brower, Lana North, and Phil Jordan for bringing this celebration to life.

The festivities kick off Thursday evening with Heber Market on Main from 5–9 PM, the perfect way to ease into the weekend with local vendors, great food, Heber Valley Brewery, and community connection.

By Friday night, the energy builds as the park comes alive for a free community concert at 7 PM. The evening is filled with powerful and patriotic moments, from a flag salute by JROTC and a performance by the Heber Valley Drumline, to the National Anthem by Mia Walker and the uplifting voices of the America Sings! Children’s Choir. Live music continues with Shannon Runyon and a Toby Keith tribute by American Soldier, before the sky lights up with a spectacular drone show at 10 PM, blending modern celebration with timeless tradition.

Saturday is where the festival truly hits its stride. The day begins with a flag-raising ceremony, then quickly unfolds into a full day of activity and fun. Whether you’re running in the 5K/10K Fun Run, enjoying the beloved pancake breakfast, or finding your spot along the route for the Heber City 4th of July Parade, there’s something happening at every turn.

Main Street Park becomes the center of it all, filled with live music, lawn games, and friendly competition. Enjoy a pickleball tournament at Southfield Park and a midday cornhole tournament at Main Street Park. Crowd favorites return, including pie eating and root beer chugging contests, a strong man competition, and the always-entertaining “Hoses vs. Badges” tug of war, where local heroes go head-to-head in good fun. Add in a Constitution tribute, performances by local musicians, and the sounds of American Rooster, and you’ve got a soundtrack that carries through the entire day.

Creativity shines as the community comes together for the America 250 Mural, a project that began with Wasatch County School District 5th graders, each contributing a painted tile to a larger installation that will be displayed at the Wasatch County Rec Center. Alongside it, the colorful Sidewalk Chalk Contest brings art, history, and imagination to life right on Main Street.

As the sun sets, the celebration keeps going. Enjoy the Sunset Music Series on the Main Stage with Riff Raff at 7 PM, or take a short trip to Midway for the Utah Symphony at Town Square at 8 PM, followed by fireworks lighting up Memorial Hill at 10 PM.

Beyond the fun and festivities, the festival carries a deeper meaning. The Red, White, and Blue Blankets Project, in partnership with Intermountain Health Heber Valley Hospital, is giving every baby born in 2026 a handmade patriotic blanket, celebrating new life during a historic year for our nation.

The celebration continues into Sunday with a “Church in the Park” experience. Join the community for a 10 AM Christian service hosted by Mountain View Fellowship Church, followed by a potluck lunch, an opportunity to slow down, connect, and share a meal together.

At the end of it all, the Red, White, and Blue Festival is more than just a weekend of events. It’s a reflection of what makes Heber Valley special, a place where traditions are honored, community comes first, and memories are made year after year.

This year, as we celebrate 250 years of American history, there’s no better place to be than right here in the Heber Valley.

heberredwhiteandbluefest.com

⭐ Celebrating “The America Story: 250 Years”

The theme for this year’s contest is “The America Story: Celebrating 250 Years.” We’re inviting students in grades K–12 to explore this theme through their artwork — whether that’s through photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, or graphic design. This year celebrates a milestone in our nation’s history and is a great opportunity for young artists to think about what American history, culture, and dreams mean to them.

Who Can Enter?

• All students in grades K–12

• Any school within the Wasatch School District

• Submissions are welcome from all skill levels — from budding young artists to seasoned creatives!

Important Dates

• Entry Deadline: April 14, 2026
  Make sure your artwork is submitted by this date to be considered!

Entry Categories

Participants can submit their work in the following categories:

• 📷 Photography

• 🖌️ Painting

• ✏️ Drawing

• 🗿 Sculpture

• 🎨 Mixed Media / Graphic Design

Whether students prefer traditional art forms or digital exploration, there’s a place for every kind of creative voice.

Why You Should Participate

The Art Emergence Contest is more than a competition — it’s a celebration of youth creativity and community pride. Winners from last year demonstrated such inspiring talent and vision that their work continues to uplift and spark imagination throughout our valley. This year, we hope even more students will take part and let their creativity shine!

Parents, teachers, and community members: you are encouraged to support your young artists by helping them brainstorm, create, and submit their visions. Art strengthens confidence, communication, and critical thinking — and it’s a joy to see our community come together through creative expression.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

This contest would not be possible without the generous support of:

• Wasatch County School District

• Wasatch CAPS

• Wasatch Community Foundation

• Wasatch County Arts Council

• Heber Valley Life Magazine

Their partnership helps bring this annual celebration of art to life!

📩 Submit Your Artwork

Encourage your student artists to participate and turn their ideas into art! Visit emergence.hebervalleylife.com for details on how to submit entries, view past winners, and learn more about the contest.

Let’s make 2026 the most creative year yet — we can’t wait to see what your young artists imagine!

Da Vida a tu Creatividad: ¡Participa en el Concurso Art Emergence 2026!

Cada año, el Wasatch School District, en colaboración con Heber Valley Life Magazine, invita a estudiantes de todas las edades a participar en el inspirador Art Emergence Contest. Este concurso celebra el talento artístico joven de nuestra comunidad y promueve la imaginación, la creatividad y la expresión personal a través del arte visual.

Nuestra Historia Americana: Celebrando 250 años

El tema de este año es “Nuestra Historia Americana: Celebrando 250 años”, una invitación a que los estudiantes desde kínder hasta grado 12 exploren, interpreten y representen esta importante etapa de la historia de los Estados Unidos desde su propia perspectiva artística.

A través del arte, los estudiantes pueden reflexionar sobre la historia, la cultura, los valores y las historias que han dado forma a nuestra nación durante 250 años.

¿Quiénes Pueden Participar?

• Todos los estudiantes de grados K–12

• Escuelas dentro del Wasatch School District

• Todos los niveles de habilidad son bienvenidos, desde artistas principiantes hasta jóvenes con experiencia

Fechas Importantes

• Fecha límite de inscripción: 14 de abril de 2026
  Las obras deben enviarse antes de esta fecha para ser consideradas.

Categorías de Participación

Los estudiantes pueden presentar sus obras en las siguientes categorías:

• 📷 Fotografía

• 🖌️ Pintura

• ✏️ Dibujo

• 🗿 Escultura

• 🎨 Técnica mixta / Diseño gráfico

Ya sea arte tradicional o digital, este concurso ofrece un espacio para todo tipo de expresión creativa.

¿Por Qué Participar?

El Art Emergence Contest es mucho más que una competencia: es una celebración del talento juvenil y del orgullo comunitario. Los ganadores del año pasado demostraron una creatividad y visión extraordinarias, y sus obras continúan inspirando a nuestra comunidad.

Este año, invitamos a aún más estudiantes a participar y compartir su talento. Padres, maestros y miembros de la comunidad están invitados a apoyar a los jóvenes artistas ayudándolos a crear, soñar y enviar sus obras. El arte fortalece la confianza, la comunicación y el pensamiento crítico, y conecta a nuestra comunidad de una manera única.

Agradecimiento a Nuestros Patrocinadores

Este concurso es posible gracias al valioso apoyo de:

• Wasatch County School District

• Wasatch CAPS

• Wasatch Community Foundation

• Wasatch County Arts Council

• Heber Valley Life Magazine

Su compromiso hace posible esta celebración anual del arte y la creatividad.

📩 Envía tu Obra

Anima a tus estudiantes artistas a participar y transformar sus ideas en arte. Visita emergence.hebervalleylife.com para conocer los requisitos de inscripción, ver ganadores de años anteriores y obtener más información.

¡Hagamos del 2026 el año más creativo hasta ahora! Estamos ansiosos por ver lo que nuestros jóvenes artistas pueden imaginar.