WASHINGTON CITY — The first annual Splash Festival was held Saturday at the Washington City Community Center, drawing a 2,500 person turnout of of all ages.
The event featured a variety of amusements to keep the festival-goers occupied.
An Iron Man impersonator mingled with children throughout the day. Those who ventured into the water shared the pool with swimmers dressed as mermaids, whose flippers prevented them from getting around on land. Instead of walking, the mermaids were carried by men dressed as pirates. A rotation of live musical performances provided additional entertainment.
Those who attended the Splash Festival made use of a wide range of amenities — including a bounce house, lazy river, three-story water slide, water-walking balls, and basketball courts. A massive water balloon fight took place outside.
The event even attracted visitors from out of town: “(The Community Center) is a state-of-the-art facility,” said South Jordan resident Todd Morgan, who was visiting family in St. George. “It’s something I would have expected to find in Salt Lake, but not Washington City. This is a great resource for the whole community.”
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Foaming it up at the Splash Festival | Video courtesy of Washington City Community Center
The Festival was made possible by a partnership between the Community Center and The Heart of Dixie, a new company that specializes in community events. The business aims to “promote and provide positive social experiences for the youth of our community,” according to its website.
Jared Keddington, owner and director of The Heart of Dixie, began the company after seeing a need within the area of Southern Utah. “There wasn’t enough going on here for children,” he said. “I thought we could do something for that.”
Since its inception last September, the company has partnered extensively with both the Community Center and the Washington County Fairgrounds to sponsor a variety of events. Some, such as the Splash Festival, are geared toward the whole family. Other events are reserved for young adults aged 18 and older. All events provide affordable food and “clean entertainment,” Keddington said.
The Splash Festival has been The Heart of Dixie’s largest event to date. It is the first of three summer events the company will hold at the Community Center, as part of a series called “Summer of Fun Family Festivals.” The series will continue with a “Color Festival” on July 8, and “Bubble Fest” on July 27.
The Heart of Dixie will also host an outing next Saturday to Sand Hollow Reservoir. This will be an 18-and-up event, and activities will include usage of a giant water blob.
Upcoming events and contacts follow the photo gallery
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Splash Festival | Image courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News Splash Festival, Washington City Community Center, Washington, Utah, June 8, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Wendi Bulkley, Washington City Community Center director, St. George News
Upcoming events recap / contacts
June 15 – Sand Hollow Mayhem, Utah’s Ultimate Beach Party – 18 and older – 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
July 8 – Color Festival – 6-9 p.m.
July 27 – Bubble Fest – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Washington City Community Center website / Facebook / Telephone 435-656-6360
The Heart of Dixie website / The Heart of Dixie Facebook / Telephone 435-272-4491
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.
Now if your “Nanny” communities would only have something for adults. Despite the comment about all ages, I don’t see any adults nor any older teenagers in the photos. You probably have to look in the Washington County arrests column for them.
I would imagine that the “Nanny” communities would figure that a (so called) “adult” could quite possibly find something to do, without having a “Nanny” hold their hand.
Your nanny communities have a tendency to frown upon and outlaw things adults enjoy.
Hey, Mesquite is only 30 miles away! 😀
Never swim in a public pool never know what is in it!
Well, Ken, you are right! This one had mermaids! 😀
Sorry, every now and then I have to chirp in.
Anybody have any good recipes on how to cook mermaid?