Ski Utah Press Release

PARK CITY, UT (Aug. 2016) – The hills of the mountain town of Park City, Utah will come alive on Monday, September 5 as the community celebrates its mining heritage with the 119th edition of Miners' Day. The day long festival will feature a parade, Miners’ Day 5k run, skateboard jam, an exciting mining skills competition, fun in City Park plus the annual Running of the Balls on Park City’s historic Main Street. Miners' Day is produced annually by the Park City Rotary Club, with proceeds benefitting community non-profits.

 Known as Labor Day elsewhere, Miners' Day has its origins during the 19th century mining boom in the now world renowned ski resort town of Park City. In its heyday, Park City was one of the world’s leading producers of silver. The mining heritage is center stage each year at Miners' Day with the popular mucking and drilling competition where modern day miner’s keep alive the traditions of their predecessors.

Miners' Day features all day fun in the resort town of Park City. It kicks off with breakfast in City Park at 7:30 a.m., just in time for the start of the Miners’ Day 5k run at 8:00 a.m. Main Street becomes the focal point with the annual Running of the Balls at 10:45 a.m. Get there early to buy your balls for an opportunity to win prizes! A fundraiser for the Park City Rotary Club and local non-profits, nearly 10,000 balls made the trip down Main Street last year. Balls are available in advance from any Rotarian or at the Park Silly Sunday Market. 

The Miners' Day Parade at 11:00 a.m. takes pride in being just a little bit different than your typical parade with community organizations having a little fun with their funky floats.

Food, fun and music are on tap all afternoon in City Park, with live music courtesy of Mountain Town Music, food from Kumbayah Kitchens, Olympic-like Kids Games at 12:30 p.m. plus beer on tap. A Skateboard Bowl Jam wraps up the afternoon beginning at 3:00 p.m.

One of the highlights of Miners' Day is the Mucking and Drilling Competition. Bleachers fill early in the parking lot across from the library. Miner’s from around the intermountain west challenge each other drilling target holes in a rock, then put their skills to test running a mucking machine, loading mine tailings into a rail bucket as quickly as possible. It’s high energy and sweat, watching old and new miners strut their stuff. 

The Park City Rotary Club, formed in 1980, is a community service organization comprised of community and business leaders who engage in activities to give back to Park City and the global community. It was named Utah’s Rotary Club of the Year in 2014. It is a part of Rotary International, with over a million neighbors, community leaders and global citizens uniting for the common good. 

To get the latest update on Miner’s Day, visit www.parkcityminersday.org.

Miners' Day Schedule

7:30-9:30 a.m. - Miners' Day Breakfast, City Park   

8:00 a.m. – Miners’ Day 5k Run, City Park 

10:45 p.m. - Running of the Balls, Main Street (get there early to buy balls)

11:00 a.m. - Miners' Day Parade, Main Street 

11:30-2:00 - Barbeque Lunch, City Park  

11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Music, City Park

12:30-1:00 p.m. - Kids Games, City Park 

1:00-5:00 p.m. - Music, City Park Stage 

2:00-3:30 p.m. - Mucking and Drilling Competition, City Park (across from library on Park Ave.)

3:00-6:00 p.m. - Skateboard Bowl Jam, Skateboard Park 

About Park City Rotary Club

The Park City Rotary Club is a community service organization comprised of community and business leaders who engage in activities to give back to Park City and the global community. Founded in 1980, the club has around 100 members and is a part of Rotary International. Among its many activities is the management of Park City’s annual Miner’s Day festival every Labor Day. The club organizes a wide range of annual fundraisers benefiting local causes and international outreach programs, granting over $1 million since its inception. Long known as one of the most innovative and fun clubs in Utah, Park City Rotary Club was named Utah Rotary Club of the Year in 2014.