Cities all over Salt Lake County celebrate their birthdays during June and July, and the city of Taylorsville is no exception. Taylorsville’s own summer celebration, Taylorsville Dayzz, took place this last weekend at Valley Regional Park on 5100 South and 2700 West.
“The fireworks here at T-Ville Dayzz are second to none in the valley,” said Flip Payne, a yearly patron of Taylorsville Dayzz. “My wife Shauna and I come every year. The kids love the rides, we love the entertainment and fireworks, and we almost always bring the whole family.”
This year, Taylorsville Dayzz had something for everyone. “With more than 20 performers, an auto show, a parade, petting zoo, and the best fireworks show in Salt Lake County, we’ve had something for all,” said Taylorsville Dayzz Chair Jim Dunnigan.
Taylorsville Dayzz sprouted from humble beginnings, as a small festival and barbeque in the back parking lot at Taylorsville High School. The city’s birthday celebration officially began on July 1, 1995. Since that time, the festivities have grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to the volunteer work of some very selfless people.
“Simply put, Taylorsville Dayzz wouldn’t happen without the hard work of our volunteers,” said Elaine Waegner, Taylorsville Dayzz Events and Volunteer Coordinator.
The usual volunteer pool consists of everyday do-gooders; high school sports teams and clubs, students, volunteer organizations and local businesses.
“Volunteers are needed year round,” Waegner said. There are acres of free parking at Taylorsville Dayzz, which requires a rather stout volunteer effort to manage.
“With such a big festival, every volunteer really counts,” said Dunnigan, “Just about everyone that is involved in making Taylorsville Dayzz happen is an unpaid volunteer, and we just can’t thank people enough for their hard work.”
Behind the scenes a whole lot of time, effort and thought go into making things at Taylorsville Dayzz run like clockwork.
“Planning for Taylorsville Dayzz is literally a year-round process,” Waegner said. Waegner began her preparations back in September of last year. “We love what we do, but truthfully, we’re just happy when the weather cooperates with our efforts.”
Every bit of entertainment at Taylorsville Dayzz was free.
“Free. That’s the price we like,” Dunnigan said.
Admission to the festivities was also free of charge, and it’s expected to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
Even Elvis stopped by to take in Taylorsville Dayzz. Ryan Pelton, a renowned Elvis impersonator stole the show on Friday night. “He is Elvis,” said Dunnigan. Pelton performed on “American Idol” with singing sensation Celine Dion, and has even appeared in a movie role as The King, with Dakota Fanning co-starring.
Saturday night, Imagine – A Beatles Tribute gave Taylorsville Dayzz goers a fab four flashback. “These guys really do look and sound just like the Beatles,” Waegner said.
Following the Beatles tribute, Taylorsville Dayzz illuminated the night with a fireworks display that lasted for 30 minutes. There was even a false finale.
Taylorsville Dayzz ended with a classical flair, as festivities closed with a performance by the Utah Symphony on Monday night. The Wasatch Cannoneers fired live cannons in time with the Utah Symphony’s performance of the 1812 Overture.
Following the concert, one final firework show turned the page on another successful year for Taylorsville Dayzz.
“We’ll be back at it soon,” Waegner said. For now, the people behind Taylorsville Dayzz can take a well-deserved break.
Waegner and Dunnigan won’t be the only ones back to Taylorsville Dayzz. “We’ll definitely be back next year,” Flip said.