HURRICANE – Deliberate and delighted Mayhem was made as planned on the beaches of Sand Hollow State Park Saturday as Dixie’s ultimate beach party for young adults did nothing short of live up to its name. It was Sand Hollow Mayhem to the max with new and return partiers, some from as far east as D.C., and at least one couple from across the pond, as in the United Kingdom.

The day brought pleasantly moderate temperatures in the 80s, fine red sand and warm waters all a bubble with play and no small number of hopefuls searching for a “mayhem match-up.”

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Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News

The 12-hour beach party catering to the 18-and-older crowd carried on from noon to midnight with adequate sunshine during the day for those looking to improve their summer tans and pleasant breezes during the night for revelers and dancers and bands to carry on in beachy style.

Mayhem takes place twice a year in June and September to celebrate the beginning and end of summer vacation. This is the third year and fifth installment that Heart of Dixie has hosted.

There were about 2,000 people at the party at 7 p.m. with five hours remaining, Karlee Jarvis, head of security for Heart of Dixie events, said.

“We have actually had a really great turnout today,” Jarvis said.

Every year Heart of Dixie makes improvements to Mayhem to appeal to many different tastes. This year was the first year guests could rent VIP cabañas for the day, which offered a relaxing space near the stage, catered dinner, drinks and access to all Mayhem activities. All of the cabañas were sold-out in advance of the event.

Mayhem also introduced flyboards Saturday for the first time at its parties – these are jetpacks connected to the rider’s feet. Water pressure generated from the flyboard is pushed through a hose that splits into two nozzles beneath the feet of the rider. The pressure in the nozzles creates space between the rider and water and pushes the rider higher in the air.

The “Adrenaline Rush,” known as Utah’s largest waterslide, was also a new feature added. This three-story-high, double-lane waterslide with a near vertical drop proved to be a favorite among partygoers.

The only thing that didn’t deliver was the fireworks show. Windy, dry conditions prevented the fireworks show that was scheduled for 10:30 p.m. due to a countywide fire ban. According to a post made earlier in the week on the Mayhem Facebook page, the state fire marshal asked that the firework show not take place.

Many people found that the most exciting aspect about the party was to meet new people – especially of the opposite gender.

“I am most excited about meeting as many girls as I can. I’ll be honest,” J.J. Davis, from Las Vegas, Nevada, said.

People from all over the state of Utah, and from Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, Washington, D.C., and the United Kingdom attended Mayhem. Janee Krekelberg from the United Kingdom has been coming to Mayhem for the past two years.

“It has gotten bigger and better. There are more people and a bigger dance party,” Krekelberg said.

The Mayhem stage was located right in front of the water where disc jockeys provided constant music and entertainment.

Alcohol was allowed at the event, but there was a zero tolerance policy for drug use or possession. By about 9 p.m., there had been at least one person escorted away from the party by police and park rangers for over-intoxication.

“We want everyone to feel safe. We have security, EMTs, police officers, rangers,” Jarvis said. “It is a good and safe place for everybody to come and have fun.”

Mayhem will return to Sand Hollow in September to wrap up summer vacation. Based on the testimonials, it’s a pretty good bet Saturday’s partygoers will be back.

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Resources

• Sand Hollow Mayhem Facebook page
• Rocky Mountain Flyboards website

Related posts

• Sand Hollow Reservoir’s pesky parasite, dealing with swimmer’s itch
• Sand Hollow Mayhem, biggest beach party bash yet
• One last beach-party: Sand Hollow Mayhem returns to Southern Utah; STGNews photo gallery – September 2013
• Summer Mayhem hits Sand Hollow; STGnews Videocast and Photo Gallery – June 2013

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