National Ability Center

Park Silly takes over Historic Main Street just about every Sunday for the rest of this summer. (Photo courtesy: Park Silly Sunday Market, Brett Oswold)

SHOP

Park Silly Sunday Market
Sundays, June 3 – September 23, 2018
10 AM – 5 PM

This sign on Comstock is weird, but probably effective.

It’s officially summer in Park City, and we know this for a few reasons: the sun rises early, flowers are in bloom, that dude on Comstock has his dog warning staked in the front yard, and Park Silly Sunday Market shuts down Historic Main Street and packs the pavement with people, local products, and potations.

Park Silly is an “eco-friendly open air market, street festival, and commUnity forum where neighbors and friends come together…” To fully experience Silly Market, we recommend the fabulous and free city bus, or a carpool (traffic and parking can get a bit, well, silly).

Then, start at the top of Main to stock up on fruits and veggies at the farmers’ market, and stroll on down to take in local artwork, locally-made items (from fidget spinners to fur-trimmed jeans), antiques, imports, gourmet foods, and finally, the live music and bar set up at the bottom. Don’t forget your sunscreen and a water bottle!

DO

Barn Party @ National Ability Center
June 2 → 5:30 – 10:00 PM

National Ability Center Barn Party 2017 (Photo courtesy: Don Cook)

National Ability Center’s annual Barn Party is a celebration of its Equestrian Program and the start of summer in Park City. Live music, BBQ, a whiskey saloon, and tons of activities for the kiddos make this a Saturday night outing your whole fam will enjoy. We highlighted the incredible work NAC does HERE – take a peek, then grab your boots and hat to get ready for tonight’s party!

SEE

Park City Film Series presents “The Rider”
Saturday → 8PM | Sunday → 6PM
Rated R, 104 min.

Park City Film Series provides this synopsis: “A true story of a once rising star of the rodeo circuit warned that his competition days are over after a tragic riding accident. Back home, Brady finds himself wondering what he has to live for when he can no longer do what gives him a sense of purpose: to ride and compete. In an attempt to regain control of his fate, Brady undertakes a search for a new identity and tries to redefine his idea of what it means to be a man in the heartland of America.”

PARK CITY FILM SERIES
The Park City Film Series is a nonprofit organization presenting the best of independent feature, documentary, world and local cinema. Our mission is to create community through film.

STARTING THIS WEEK

Women’s Road Rides
Mondays, June 4 – August 27, 2016
5:45 – 7:30 PM

Start at Jans on Park Ave, then hit the road with a tribe of ladies for a couple of hours. Bring rain protection, energy good and plenty of water, plus your flat repair kit. Bikes are available to rent ($15, based on availability), but the event is free!

Women’s Mountain Bike Rides
Tuesdays, June 5 – August 28, 2018
6-8 PM

Mountain biking at Park City Mountain (Photo courtesy: Park City Mountain)

Another women-only option during the week is the Tuesday night mountain bike rides with White Pine Touring. The rides are led by Team Sugar guides, and the group is divided up based on your skill and comfort level. Meet at White Pine Touring at 6 p.m., then explore new trails and meet new friends for two fun-filled hours. This experience is also free.

Group Mountain Bike Rides
Thursdays, June 7 – August 30, 2018
6 – 8 PM

One more crew to hit the trails with – the Thursday night group mountain bike rides! Also at White Pine Touring, this one is open to everyone, with three groups to choose from based on ride intensity. The rides are led by White Pines Touring Racing powered by jans.com mountain bike team members and guides. And on the last Thursday of each month, there’s a free BBQ and adult beverages, provided by local vendors, at the end of the ride.

INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT

There’s no way we can do justice to all the good the National Ability Center does in just one post. Since its inception 30 years ago, when it started providing lessons to veterans with disabilities, NAC has touched countless lives. In fact, in 2016-2017 alone, 6600 individuals, from all 50 states and 18 countries, experienced NAC programming!

PROGRAMMING

NAC provides high-quality and inclusive programs to those of all abilities and backgrounds, and strives to “empower individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence, and lifetime skills through sport, recreation, and educational programs.”

Participants can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, Brighton, and Solitude with specially-trained instructors.

With year-round and seasonal programs, there is truly an option for everyone.

Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, horseback riding, hippotherapy, indoor rock climbing, swimming, archery, sled hockey, cycling, water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and challenge course activities.

And now, through a partnership with Splore, NAC is able to provide adaptive adventures like river rafting, snowshoeing, climbing, Nordic skiing throughout Northern and Southern Utah’s mountains ranges and waterways.

People of all ages and abilities are able to participate – including those with orthopedic, spinal cord, neuromuscular, visual and hearing impairments, and cognitive and developmental disabilities. Specially-designed equipment is available for many of the activities and enables participants to enjoy each activity successfully.

And, to help eliminate isolation of individuals with disabilities, friends and family members are encouraged to participate alongside. This often yields results like reinforced relationships and the formation of a support system that expands well beyond the program experience.

Thanks to NAC, participants can water ski, wakeboard, tube, swim, canoe, kayak, and more at the Jordanelle.

IMPACT
(2016-2017)

NAC offered programs 365 days and provided 37,000 experiences
Programming provided to 6600 individuals from all 50 states – and 18 countries
50 athletes trained in NAC’s competition programs
700 unique pieces of adaptive equipment were used

SUPPORT | BARN PARTY

National Ability Center Barn Party 2017 (Photo courtesy: National Ability Center)

Support from individual donors, grants from private corporations and foundations, and the community has allowed NAC to provide scholarships to 100% of those who have made requests.

You can support this incredible organization in a number of ways – through the usual channels, or by joining them for this weekend’s Barn Party at the Equestrian Center!

On June 2nd, bring the entire family and enjoy live music, BBQ, a whiskey saloon, line dancing, fun for the kiddos, a petting zoo, and a live and silent auction. The Barn Party is an annual event meant to celebrate the amazing achievements of the Equestrian Program with the community – while also kicking off the start of the summer season in Park City.

Whether you donate time, funds, or join the Barn Party – you won’t regret supporting the National Ability Center and the immeasurable good they create and facilitate. (All photos in this post courtesy of National Ability Center.)

Park City Event Guide: June 2 & 3, 2018

Park Silly takes over Historic Main Street just about every Sunday for the rest of this summer. (Photo courtesy: Park Silly Sunday Market, Brett Oswold)

SHOP

Park Silly Sunday Market
Sundays, June 3 – September 23, 2018
10 AM – 5 PM

DO

Barn Party @ National Ability Center
June 2 → 5:30 – 10:00 PM