Payson City Events

EASTER EGG HUNT

The Payson City Easter Egg Hunt looked a little different in 2020 than in past years. With Easter landing at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown, we decided to try something completely new. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt morphed into a scavenger hunt for 20 2-foot, hand-painted, plywood Easter eggs placed/hidden throughout the city of Payson. Some were pretty obvious and others proved to be a bit harder to find.

Even though it was not our traditional egg hunt, the residents of Payson enjoyed the experience and requested that we continue the event. The City of Payson and the Payson Santaquin Area Chamber of Commerce is planning for a live Easter egg hunt in 2021 (with a plan B prepared if needed), but we will also continue the scavenger hunt for the enjoyment of Payson (and surrounding areas).

PAYSON GOLDEN ONION DAYS

This annual celebration was first held in 1929 as an opportunity for residents and former residents to renew old friendships and make new ones. Originally known as the Onion Harvest and Homecoming, the event honored Payson’s status as an agricultural district and outstanding producer of onions. The celebration was later renamed Payson City Golden Onion Days, and that is the name that remains to this day.

Golden Onion Days is typically held each year on Labor Day weekend and includes events such as concerts, a carnival, a baby contest, a car show, a Dutch oven cook-off, 5K and 10K races, a parade and fireworks.

Onion Days looked and felt different to many of Payson’s residents in 2020. Payson City Event Planner and Coordinator Janeen Dean did a wonderful job making the annual festival something that could still be enjoyed while scaling back a bit in areas to ensure safety during the pandemic. The Onion Days Parade was probably the event missed the most; however, the fireworks display was above and beyond what the residents have experienced in years past. Thank you, Janeen!

PAYSON SCOTTISH FESTIVAL

The annual Payson Scottish Festival and Highland Games celebrate Scottish traditions in all forms: dance, music, food, competition and entertainment. The first festival was organized more than 30 years ago as part of Payson’s Golden Onion Days, but today the festival is held for two days each July. The first event, the Friday night Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), is held at the bandstand in Payson’s Memorial Park and features performers and dancers regaling the crowd with Scottish music, song, stories and dance.

The next day, events begin with a parade on Payson’s Main Street followed by the opening ceremonies, which include music by bagpipe bands. Visitors can then enjoy a variety of activities ranging from craft and food booths to additional bandstand performances, athletic and bagpipe competitions and a Highland Dance competition. The day wraps up with more music by bagpipe bands and the announcement of competition winners during the closing ceremonies.

SALMON SUPPER

WESTERN HERITAGE NIGHT

For more than 60 years, crowds of people have journeyed to Payson City each August to enjoy the Payson Salmon Supper, a tradition in the city since 1954. Thousands of pounds of fresh salmon are flown in for this event and cooked over open fruitwood fires by local firemen. The hungry participants come from throughout the area, some arriving by busload, to enjoy the meal in Payson’s Memorial Park.

The lines are long but move quickly, and musicians and singers perform while attendees anticipate enjoying the main attraction — the food. Sides include baked potatoes, corn on the cob, salad, roll and dessert. Originally organized by local congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Salmon Supper is now run by Payson City.

In 2020, the Salmon Supper was a sold-out event run with safety and enjoyment in mind. Many turned out to support the annual event while wearing masks and social distancing. There were some tables and chairs available for dining in the park, but many chose to take their food home and enjoy it with their family members. Either way, the weather was beautiful and it was wonderful to see so many support this amazing event.

Five years ago, two law enforcement officers who like to sing approached Payson City’s events coordinator with an idea: create an evening of music that celebrates the city’s heritage and way of life. As a result, Payson offered its first Western Heritage Night in 2016, and the event has gone on to become a summer tradition in the city.

Held at the Peteetneet Outdoor Amphitheater, Western Heritage Night offers its audience a Dutch oven dinner followed by entertainers performing old-time country music under the stars. Western Heritage Night is presented through support from sponsors and Payson City.