Intermittent rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending the annual Blue Moon Festival in Holladay. Thousands gathered at Holladay City Hall Park Aug. 26 for a night filled with art, live band performances and local food vendors. Sponsored by the Holladay Arts Council and Holladay Bank and Trust, the annual festival provided enjoyment and entertainment for those attending. 

Holladay City Arts Council Executive Director Sheryl Gillilan and her committee copartnered the event with Excellence in the Community, a nonprofit organization whose vision is to harness the talent of Utah’s best musicians and music, bringing unity to the community through art and music. 

“The Blue Moon Festival is a great community celebration,” Gillilan said. “Each year the arts council looks forward to working with Excellence in the Community to provide quality entertainment and a venue for talented artists to display and promote their work. This year we have 34 art vendors and 10 food trucks participating in conjunction with two live band performances. It’s definitely a night of fun for everyone involved.” 

Discographers Classic Rock Daredevils’ six-piece band started the night off in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” with a performance of the entire album. Discographers was followed by Strawberry Fields playing the songs of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Even though wind and rain threatened, crowd members came to their feet to both sing and dance to the familiar 1960’s hit songs. 

A celebration of the arts, the Blue Moon Festival offers the community an opportunity to connect with exhibiting artists and to buy one-of-a-kind art. Matthew Deane, originally from New Hampshire and now a Holladay resident, founded the company Smash Glass Lighting during the pandemic. Deane is a craft glass artist who tumbles shards of broken glass then displays the glass in recycled vases complete with LED lighting. 

“We used to collect sea glass with our kids during trips we would make to the ocean. Ocean sea glass contributed in part to the inspiration for my creating the glass lighting,” Deane said. “The Blue Moon Festival is my first vendor event, and I really have enjoyed meeting and talking to everyone who has stopped by to enjoy the glass lighting. The vases can be used as a night light, a vibe light or even a bedroom light. I love creating good energy that others can enjoy.”

Wendy Green of Wendy Green Illustrations creates matte vinyl sticker art and has also designed and illustrated a Chow Pow card memory match battling game that provides fun for ages 8 to adult. 

“I use to work for an animation company,” Green said. “This is the first year I’ve been working as a full-time artist. I’ve participated in four vendor events so far this year and am having a lot of fun. I love creating art. Also, I’ve illustrated a children’s book that’s on Amazon, ‘Billy the Bandage.’ It’s a great story about a little Band-Aid that fixes all hurts and learns the power of friendship along the way.”

At the children’s activity tent, various crafts, face painting and balloon tying were offered for young participants.   

“I love seeing everyone out here together as a community,” Holladay Arts Councilmember Natalie Bradley said. “The entire arts council is here tonight working in different areas of the festival. I’m providing the support for the children’s craft tent and it has been well attended. We are grateful for the generous support of Holladay Bank and Trust and Rocky Mountain Power who have made the Blue Moon Festival possible.”

Holladay City Councilmember Drew Quinn and several family members attended the event. Her granddaughter Olive enjoyed shopping for gummy bear earrings, listening to the band music and visiting the children’s activity tent. She hopes to attend the Blue Moon Festival once again next year. λ