Miners Day in Park City

Summer sure does fly by in Park City thanks to our abundance of activities, events, and perfect weather. It’s hard to believe we are somehow nearly through August! That means we are just days away from Labor Day. Since Park City has a history of marching to the beat of its own drum, we celebrate Miners’ Day instead. Intended to commemorate Park City’s silver mining heritage, the Miners' Day festivities on Monday, Sept. 3 are fun and funky. Unlike the July 4^th holiday that attracts throngs of visitors, Miners’ Day is truly ruled by the locals.

The day begins in City Park with the Miners’ Day breakfast and Bark City 5K run where running with your furry companion is encouraged. The signature Running of the Balls event, inspired by Pamplona's Running of the Bulls, precedes the parade on Main Street. The Park City Rotary Club sells yellow golf balls for $5 each or five for $20. Balls can be purchased at the two Park Silly Sunday Markets leading up to Miners’ Day, from any Rotary Club Member, or on Main St. before they roll at 10:45 a.m. Ten thousand balls are released at the top of Main Street and are tracked down their route. The first balls through the chute will win their owners’ valuable prizes, such as season ski passes. The money raised is donated to local charities.

The parade, starting at 11 a.m., features community floats and marching bands. The route begins at the top of Main Street, then jumps over to Park Ave. and ends at City Park. Watch from anywhere along the way. Head to City Park for barbecue, live music from local bands, kids’ activities, the famed mucking and drilling competition, and the Skateboard Bowl Jam at the skate park. The celebration goes until 5 p.m.

As Park City becomes more refined and sophisticated, Miners’ Day is a great reminder of our fun-loving town’s history and community spirit.

Here’s the schedule of events:

7:30-9:30 a.m. – Miners’ Day Breakfast, City Park
8:00 a.m. – Miners’ Day Bark City 5k Run, City Park (bring your dog)
10:45 p.m. – Running of the Balls, Main Street (get there early to buy balls)
11:00 a.m. – Miners’ Day Parade, Main Street
12:00-2:00 p.m. – Barbeque Lunch, City Park
11:45 a.m. – Music in the Park: Changing Lanes Experience
12:00-4:00 p.m. – Fun in the park kids’ activities
12:30-1:00 p.m. – Kids Games, City Park
1:00-5:00 p.m. – Music, City Park Stage
2:00-3:30 p.m. – Mucking and Drilling Competition, City Park (across from library on Park Ave.)
2:45 p.m. – Music in the Park: Memphis McCool
3:00-6:00 p.m. – Skateboard Bowl Jam, Skateboard Park