Memorial Day weekend always shifts the pace around Utah County a little. School is nearly out, pools and summer festivals start reopening, and neighborhoods fill with flags, ceremonies, and the unofficial start of summer plans.
We’re sending this week’s edition a day early in case you’re still figuring out what to do for the holiday. From local memorial services and community breakfasts to concerts, pool parties, and family events, this special Memorial Day edition has a little of everything happening around the valley — along with a few important local stories worth keeping an eye on heading into summer.
Share The Point
This newsletter grows through neighbors sharing it.
Forward this email or send this link to someone who lives nearby: https://thepointdigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe
This newsletter is brought to you by Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning of Utah County. Thanks to their support, we can keep covering the people, projects, and events that make our community unique.
In today’s edition:
One local story worth knowing about
Quick updates from around the county
A local restaurant spotlight in Orem
Things to do on Memorial Day and in the week ahead
A few updates you might have missed
The Big Story
A world‑class amphitheater in Provo Canyon
David Osmond and members of the Osmond family have announced plans to transform an old mining site at the mouth of Provo Canyon into the Vesper Amphitheater. They envision a flexible concert venue that can accommodate up to 8,000 people indoors or 20,000 outdoors, complete with resort‑style villas, dining and 20 miles of trails. The 110‑acre site has been mined for more than a century, so the family plans to restore the land, follow dark‑sky guidelines and reopen it to the community as both a performance space and recreation area. Officials hope the project will become a cultural landmark and a model for reclaiming industrial land along the Wasatch Front.
Quick Hits
Alpine breaks ground on a combined fire station and community center
Alpine City held a groundbreaking ceremony for its first permanent fire station and community center on May 21. Donations from former mayor Don and Peggy Watkins, the AltaBank Foundation and the Roskelly family helped fund training equipment, a community meeting space and a fitness room. The project is expected to modernize emergency response while giving residents a place to gather.
Farmers already feeling the effects of Utah’s drought
Record‑warm winter temperatures and a lackluster snowpack forced the Strawberry–High Line Canal Company to begin filling its irrigation canals a month earlier than normal. About 85% of its 1,700 customers are farmers, and the early release means less water later in the season. The state’s drought emergency allows for low‑interest loans, but growers worry about reduced hay yields and higher feed costs.
Restoring the Spanish Fork veterans memorial
Jackie Stevens, founder of the volunteer group Headstone Heroes, spent weeks scraping stucco, power‑washing statues and repainting the 1972 veterans memorial in the Spanish Fork Cemetery. Her team finished the work in time for Memorial Day, when Spanish Fork’s tribute includes a gun salute, musical numbers and a keynote address.
Restaurant of the Week
Rosati’s (Orem)
Chicago may be 1,300 miles away, but Rosati’s brings the city’s favorite pies to Orem. This family‑run chain serves signature Chicago‑style thin‑crust and deep‑dish pizzas along with pastas, wings, salads and sandwiches. With five generations of experience, the Rosati family prides itself on original recipes and hearty portions. The Orem location at 775 E. University Parkway is open 11 a.m.‑9 p.m. Monday–Thursday and 11 a.m.‑10 p.m. Friday–Saturday (closed Sundays).
Top: Chicken Parmigiana Sandwich
Bottom: The Cheef Sandwich
Memorial Day Around the Point
Lauren Alaina Concert
When: May 25 (Mon), 8 p.m.
Where: SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem
Country star Lauren Alaina opens SCERA’s summer series, with gates at 6:30 p.m.
2026 Memorial Day BBQ
When: May 25 (Mon), 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: The Lookout, Sundance Resort, Provo Canyon
A buffet‑style barbecue with mountain views; tickets are $34 for adults and $23 for kids.
Freedom Festival Memorial Day Service 2026
When: May 25 (Mon), 10 a.m.
Where: Provo City Cemetery, Provo
A free ceremony honoring those who died in service, hosted with the Provo City Veterans Council.
West Jordan Memorial Day Car Show & Tribute 2026
When: May 25 (Mon), 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, West Jordan
An annual car show and veterans tribute held at the park.
Herriman City Memorial Day Breakfast & Ceremony
When: May 25 (Mon), breakfast 7–11 a.m.; ceremony 9 a.m.
Where: Main Street Park & Herriman City Cemetery, Herriman
Enjoy a pancake breakfast (free for veterans and seniors) followed by patriotic music, reading of veteran names and a 21‑gun salute.
Orem’s Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
When: May 25 (Mon), 10–11 a.m.
Where: Orem City Cemetery, Orem
A community ceremony with flag changing, musical numbers and guest speakers.
Memorial Day Ruck for the Fallen: Orem to Pleasant Grove
When: May 25 (Mon), 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Starts at Orem City Cemetery, ends at Pleasant Grove City Cemetery.
Participants carry weighted rucks and American flags on a 7‑mile march benefiting The Veterans Lounge.
Summer Kick‑Off Pool Party
When: May 25 (Mon), 5–7 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Pool, Pleasant Grove
Ribbon‑cutting for the renovated pool with music, a cardboard regatta and Aqua Zumba; free entry for the first 25 people.
Around the Point: Things to Do this Week
Possessive! The Musical
When: May 26 (Tue), 7 p.m.
Where: Valentine Theatre, American Fork
A pop‑punk comedy set in 2000 about demonic possession and family, full of Y2K nostalgia.
Food Truck Tuesday
When: May 26 (Tue), 5–8 p.m.
Where: Day Ranch Park, Bluffdale
A rotating lineup of food trucks brings dinner and dessert options to Day Ranch Park.
Orem’s Sunset Farmers Market
When: May 27 (Wed), 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: City Center Park, Orem
The weekly evening market returns with local vendors, food trucks, and live music.
Pony Express Days 2026
When: May 27 (Wed), 4 p.m.
Where: Cory Wride Memorial Park, Eagle Mountain
A multi‑day festival celebrating Eagle Mountain’s heritage with carnival rides, parades and family activities.
Lehi League Night
When: May 27 (Wed), 5–8 p.m.
Where: 1999 N 600 E Street, Lehi
Part of the Food Truck League series, bringing multiple trucks and community vendors to Lehi.
Real Monarchs vs Sporting KC II
When: May 29 (Fri), 5:30 p.m.
Where: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Catch MLS NEXT Pro action as Real Monarchs host Sporting Kansas City II; general‑admission tickets are $5 at the door.
Cedar Hills Family Festival
When: May 30–June 6 (Sat–Sat)
Where: Heritage Park, Cedar Hills
A week‑long celebration featuring a family swim night, outdoor movie, tournaments, adventure zones and a parade.
In case you missed it…
Growth surge in Utah County
Eagle Mountain added more than 5,000 residents and Saratoga Springs more than 4,200 between July 2024 and July 2025, making them two of the fastest‑growing cities in the U.S. Mapleton and Salem also saw growth rates above 8%.
Utah’s new e‑bike law
A state law now requires anyone under 21 to wear a helmet on an e‑bike, prohibits children under eight from riding motorized bikes on public roads and bans riders under 16 from using high‑powered Class 3 e‑bikes. Police can impound bikes from minors violating the rules.
Pioneer Crossing lanes open early
UDOT added an extra lane in each direction on Pioneer Crossing between Lehi and Saratoga Springs, boosting capacity by 50% and saving drivers more than six minutes per day. The 4.5‑mile expansion opened nearly two months early thanks to good weather and recycled materials.
That’s it for this issue of The Point.
If you spot something interesting, confusing, or very Utah County — a new restaurant, construction mystery, or rumor that needs checking — hit reply. The best tips make it into next week’s issue (with credit, if you want it).
Help The Point grow
If you enjoy this newsletter, the easiest way to support it is to share it.
Forward this email or send this link to a neighbor:
If you run a local business—or know someone who does—that would be a good fit to feature here, feel free to reply and let me know.
We’ll be back next week.