North Ogden Cherry Days
8 Fun-Filled Days Exploding Before and After the 4th
Published June 19, 2023 | By Lynn Blamires, feature writer for My Local Utah
It is interesting to note that many of Utah’s cities are expanding their Fourth of July activities beyond a single-day celebration and North Ogden is one of those. In 2023, they begin their festivities on a low key, building to a crescendo that bubbles up with a flurry of activities on the fourth and fifth. Then tapers off quietly in the serenity of a Pilates session only to rebound with an explosive finale on July 8 – whew!
June 27 – 28: Pickleball Tournament
I said low-key, but that is because I have not immersed myself in the world of pickleball. It could be a competition so fierce and intense that it is not the low-key event I have billed it to be. The event is new this year and requires people to register in teams of two and pay a fee of $50 per team.
July 1: Kit Collins Skate Event and North Shore Pool – RAMP Day
Nothing happens for a couple of days and then things come alive at the North Ogden Skate Park. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the 10th Annual Kit Collins Memorial Skate Event and people of all skill levels are invited to come for free food, fun, and prizes.
Thanks to a RAMP grant, North Ogden invites everyone to enjoy the North Shore Pool with all its amenities from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is free to the first 800 people so come early.
July 3: Yoga in the Park, Ping Pong Ball Drop, Guns and Hoses Baseball, the Jr. Posse Rodeo, and the Flick and Float
Monday starts out very mellow with Yoga in the Park – “Experience the meditative union of mind, body, and spirit through breath in this series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises.” See, that sounds so calm and restful.
However, at 11 a.m. the calm is shattered as ping pong balls drop from high above North Ogden Park with the squeals of children scrambling for balls, especially the colored ones. Every colored ball receives a prize from a business in/or near North Ogden. This event is limited to children ages 2 to 17 in three different age groups and only one prize will be awarded per person.
Wind down at the Guns and Hoses ball game. Watch as the police department is pitted against the fire department where the teams worry more about winning and the spectators are just there to enjoy the game.
Competing for the same time slot is the rodeo. The Weber County Jr. Posse Rodeo is made up of multiple posse groups from around Weber County. The children will compete in timed events as well as a grand entry presentation. Events include a variety of events to thrill the crowd. This rodeo is open to children, 7 to their senior year in high school.
After the day’s activities, bring your inner tube or suitable floating device to the North Ogden Aquatic Center for a relaxing float in the pool while you watch the movie, “Shark Tale.” This event is known as the Flick and Float and is right up my alley.
July 4: Cherry Days 5K Run, Fitness in the Park, Kiwanis Breakfast in the Park, Sunrise Service, and Foam Party
You will have to choose between the first four events listed because they all start at about the same time – the 5K run, Fitness in the Park, the Kiwanis Breakfast, and the Sunrise Service. This is an easy choice for me – the breakfast is a bargain with delicious sausage, eggs, hotcakes, and assorted beverages for $6. Tickets are available online.
The Foam Party starts at noon—swim foam created by the fire department at Wadman Park. Wear your swimsuit, bring your goggles, and swim toys. Tickets are $2 per person.
July 5: Fitness in the Park with Zumba moves, Competitive Baseball, and the Cherry Days Luau and Entertainment
Join Leticia Morales and a community Zumba group at 7 a.m. at North Ogden Barker Park and pay for that breakfast you ate yesterday. Then enjoy two competitive baseball games in the evening at 5:30 and 7:15 p.m.
You will need to make a choice here because the Hawaiian luau feast starts at 6 p.m. It includes dessert and a drink and everyone is welcome to join the entertainment. This is a 60-minute show with lots of audience participation, live music, drumming, singing, lei greeting, and fire plus photos with the performers. Tickets are $14 for a three-meat plate and $11 for the two-meat selection. The child’s plate is called a Kieki Plate and is $7.
July 6: Pilates in the Park, Chalk Art Contest, and Car Show
At 7 a.m. The Pilates Body will teach a classic Pilates routine with a mix of barre and bounce. At 8 a.m. show off your chalk art talent and win prizes. Bring your chalk, water, shade tent, and whatever else you need to create your masterpiece. You need to register for a space. The evening closes out with a car show at North Ogden Park.
July 7: Fitness in the Park, Cherry Days Carnival, and Movie in the Park.
After Fitness in the Park where you will learn to create a summer-toned body, the Cherry Days Carnival starts at noon and closes at 9 p.m. Carnivals are filled with the nostalgia of summer nights. With the delicious food, you can forget that summer-toned body – hmm, that was harsh, just enjoy the carnival.
The evening features a movie in the park to round out the day. The feature is “Sing 2.”
July 8: Children’s Bike Parade, the Cherry Days Parade, Cherry Days Carnival, the Cherry Days Marketplace, Fish Grab, Concert, and a Fireworks Spectacular
This is the big day. It starts calmly enough with a children’s bike parade. Children will have their day in the spotlight with their decorated bikes.
This is followed by the Cherry Days Parade featuring all the elements that make a great parade. The Cherry Days Carnival will open at 11 a.m. at the same time the Cherry Days Marketplace opens.
Think you can catch a fish with your bare hands? You will have a chance to find out at the Fish Grab where you and $5 can try.
The grand finale of the week will be at North Ogden Park with music and fireworks that won’t disappoint. Pick your fun and come to the North Ogden Cherry Days. Registration for select events and information is available at NorthOgdenCherryDays.com.