ST. GEORGE — The second installment of the “George Streetfest” ushered in the Fourth of July holiday weekend in grand style Friday night as crowds descended on Main Street to participate in what is quickly becoming the biggest and hottest party in Southern Utah.
With a mixture of art, vendors, food, alcoholic beverages, music and more, the “George Streetfest” had something to offer everyone from the tiniest tots to the most discerning of adults.
July’s edition grew in terms of vendors as well as attendees and included more Main Street business participation.
McArthur Jewelers, a Main Street staple, was offering guests a bit of the Hawaiian experience, selling oysters to crack open and find pearls and many of the restaurants such as Bear Paw Café, Twisted Noodle and 25 Main were selling their fare.
“It has been really busy,” Keena McArthur of McArthur Jewelers, said. “It is fun to see St. George come out.”
July heat had been an early concern for event organizers so misting stations were strategically placed throughout the event and children and adults alike were seen stopping in the water flow to cool off.
When misters no longer sufficed some crafty kids even took a dip in the decorative pond on the property near the Zion’s First National Bank building.
The jazz garden, located in Ancestor Square — one of the event’s more popular stops — was extended, in part, due to feedback from fest goers in June and saw an increased amount of guests who came to enjoy an adult-only atmosphere with live jazz and beer.
“Last month we didn’t get to 500 tickets,” Amy Thorpe, one of the event’s organizers said of the jazz garden. “This time we are already into our second set of 500.”
As the sun went down and people’s bellies were filled with the tastes of Waffle Love, Sonny Boy’s BBQ and corndogs so big you could use them for a baseball bat, the crowd gathered near the main stage to hear the band Sego sing and play into the night … the first Friday night.
The “George Streetfest” is set to take place on the first Friday of every month.
St. George News Videojournalist Sheldon Demke contributed the videocast to this report.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
The first in a series of four different shirts is sold at "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Jacob Hebdon creates a work of street art during the "George Streetfest," on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Crowds enjoy the courtyard turned Jazz garden at "George Streetfest" in Ancestor Square, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A festive banner welcomes people to "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
L-R Paul Ford, Grady Sinclair and St. George Mayor Jon Pike share a laugh on stage during "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Live musical acts grace the main stage at "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Getting cooled off in the misters during "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Parade floats and vehicles on display during the "George Streetfest." St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Parade floats and vehicles on display during the "George Streetfest." St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Parade floats and vehicles on display during the "George Streetfest." St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
People pack the street as they stroll past vendors during "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Street art during the "George Streetfest," on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Art-Z dons a bowler hat in honor of "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
People pack the street as they stroll past vendors during "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Crafty kids turn a landscape pond into a clever way to cool off at "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Crafty kids turn a landscape pond into a clever way to cool off at "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Fest goers gather on the lawn near Zion's First National Bank to enjoy "George Streetfest" on Main Street, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
West Coast Jazz delights the crowd at the Jazz garden during "George Streetfest" in Ancestor Square, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
West Coast Jazz delights the crowd at the Jazz garden during "George Streetfest" in Ancestor Square, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
West Coast Jazz delights the crowd at the Jazz garden during "George Streetfest" in Ancestor Square, St. George, Utah, July 3, 2015 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
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So the good people of St. George DO like to have fun and consume “alcoholic beverages!” Huh, who what of thought that? No drunken brawls? Wow, I hope the mayor and the city council takes notice.
It’s all about diversity? Where was it in this video? Anyhow, great second street fest but why is the Jazz garden and poetry slam limited to booze hounds over 21… I’d prefer that adjacent to the beer garden and not in the beer garden, and no cover, since some of us don’t or can’t drink so it’s a waste of money when I can just hang out at the main stage and watch some awesome touring bands and still not drink.