An overcast, windy evening on Aug. 24 didn’t deter those attending the annual Blue Moon Festival at Holladay City Park. Thousands gathered for an evening filled with art, local food vendors and live band performances. Sponsored by the Holladay Arts Council and Holladay Bank & Trust, the event again brought the community together for festival fun and artistic creation promotion for local and emerging artists.

Holladay Arts and Culture Manager Megan Attermann and her arts council committee partnered with Excellence in the Community, a nonprofit organization passionate about promoting Utah’s best musicians, to bring two live band performances to the outdoor stage to build community and create culture.

Senxao, a high-energy Latin fusion band led by singer and frontman Navi Escanola, started the night off with a repertoire of Latin tunes and explosive energy. Senxao was followed by The Great Salt Lake Yacht Club, a soft rock Southern California sound of the 70s and 80s and a look back to singers and songwriters such as Jimmy Buffet and Loggins & Messina. 

“The Blue Moon Festival is one of my favorite events to attend as a Holladay resident,” Attermann said. “I feel beyond privileged that I get to work with our community’s amazing volunteers and city staff to make this festival a success this year. Of course, I love the music, the art, the activities, the food; but my favorite part of the festival is being out among my neighbors. It’s just fun!”

Beauty and joy are the hallmarks of an art festival, from the artist’s exhibit to the patron’s home. Holladay resident and art vendor Diana Anderson began painting two years ago. An energy worker and healer for 18 years, she uses multiple layers of acrylic or oil paint, collage, and mixed media to create her abstract textured landscapes, illustrating how all life is connected. 

“I usually don’t draw out my paintings first,” Anderson said. “I brush the paint on and then see where the energy goes on the canvas. Aspects of sacred geometry, flower of life, light therapy, and Metatron’s Cube are all used in my art. Art shows are the primary place I sell my art.”

Art vendor April Mao became interested in creating with clay when she took pottery classes at the University of Utah’s Bountiful location. Her unique mugs and plates made with transfer paper from China are sure to catch a patron’s attention. 

“I fell in love with pottery after taking one class and have been doing it ever since,” Mao said. “I just do it for fun. I can’t really say I’m a professional artist.” 

The Children’s Activity Center was well attended, offering face painting, balloon tying and miniature golf for all ages. 

Brooks Conway, owner of Putt’s Mobile Mini Golf, fitted each golf enthusiast with a golf club and provided details about course options. According to Conway, the company is new, but is quickly branching out across Utah and into other states. 

Unified Fire Authority and Unified Police were on hand to ensure safety during the event and to answer questions. 

Ten local food trucks filled the upper parking lot, offering a variety of menu options. These included Ari’s Fresh Lemonade, which offered free refills; Spilled Milk, an ice cream and cereal bar; and Maize, a food truck specializing in traditional tacos made with handmade corn tortillas. 

As the evening progressed, festival attendees spread their lawn chairs across Holladay City Park to connect, catch up on life events, enjoy live music, and appreciate soul-stirring art. All contributed to a vibrant setting of art, culture, and community in action, which can only be found at an art festival. λ