August 22, 2025 - Knights of Mayhem, BoomerFest, Carnaval Boliviano

What’s Up Provo! Once again, we’ve made sense of the chaos that is the internet and social media and we’ve put together a (hopefully) helpful email for you. And turns out it’s one of the most interesting and exciting weekends we’ve covered in a while.

So let’s get into it! Also, happy Pecan Torte Day! 🥧

In Partnership with
Conrad Ranch

Twinkling lights, mountain peaks, and that just-married glow…

Tucked away in Provo Canyon, Conrad Ranch has been preserved for seven generations! (and counting)

It’s a one-of-a-kind place for weddings, events, and group gatherings. You have to love that it’s just minutes from Provo, and yet it feels like your own secret world.

🏔 Conrad Ranch Photo Gallery
🍁 See “a glimpse of the seasons” at the Conrad Ranch
📆 Conrad Ranch’s Calendar 👈 See which days are open currently

Conrad Ranch, Est. 1863

🛰 Origami Engineering Discovery
If you’ve watched the local news for a number of years, you’ll know that every so often there’s an origami related breakthrough coming out of BYU. They usually have to do with how origami can be used in mechanical engineering, and this time a BYU undergrad, Kelvin (Zhongyuan) Wang discovered “bloom patterns”—flat‑foldable designs that expand like blossoming flowers and offer a novel “middle form” that opens the door for applications in space, medicine, architecture, and beyond. (if you go to the link they include a little video about it)

🤖 BYU's Education Week Devotional
Elder Gong spoke on Tuesday and in his address he spoke about the growing use of AI. “AI can be a valuable tool to enhance but not replace our own efforts.” (read more about his BYU Education Week devotional by clicking the blue header link)

🐻 Bear Bachmeier
Looks like the true freshman will be the starter in game 1 of the season—which is the first time in BYU history that that’s happened. (We’ll probably be hearing that a lot this season.) Bear Bachmeier, who wears the no.47, (which is unusual for quarterbacks, once again, we’ll probably be hearing that a lot from the announcers this season), will be starting against Portland State according to offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick.

🤢 South Korean Virus in Utah County
If you too experienced some nausea, vomiting, etc. not too long ago, then the culprit might be have been a bunch of half-shell oysters from South Korea. The oysters were distributed to a number of restaurants, which infected customers of course. But also, norovirus can be spread from person to person, so the virus likely spread from there. Hopefully you avoided the illness, but if you didn’t at least now you know a possible reason for it.

Fests and Faires 🎪

🏰 The 13th Annual Utah Renaissance Faire
As you would expect, tons happening at this one. Lots of different entertainers including the Harp Twins, Grassroots Shakespeare, the Knights of Mayhem, the Vikings of Utah, Ignite Fire Arts and more.

And there will also be tons of “mouthwatering fare” to eat, merchants from all over, even fairies from all over (and apparently a “Fairy Smasher” will be there as well, might want to watch out for that).

But don’t forget about the activities. You can dance ‘round the maypole, check out the viking village—you can go even go on quest! Just go to the “House of Tudor” and choose which Royal you want to swear fealty to and they’ll give you a quest to go on. Hopefully all goes well and you can avoid the stockyards. (But the stockyards might be fun, too.)

As for tickets you can get a half-day pass ($10), a day pass ($20), or a weekend pass ($35), and there’s specialty pricing for kids, active-duty military, etc.
Mt. Nebo Botanical Farm | Aug 22-23 | 9:30am-10pm

🎶 Boomerfest Music Festival in Wallsburg
If you go then take advantage of some of the discounts they are offering. They have a giveaway on Facebook/Instagram right now, but you need to move quick because it closes soon, plus they have a 50% off code (RWE50) on their website bio, and you can use code ISERVED if you're a veteran to get in for free!
Richard W. Erickson Antique & Classic Power Museum | Aug 22-24 | Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-3pm

🎉 Carnaval Boliviano | Bolivian Fest
Vibrant colors, rhythms, and hopefully some salteñas muy ricas at Utah’s own take on Carnaval de Oruro! Featuring folklore dances, live music, free crafts, kids’ contests, and the Miss Bolivia Utah Pageant.
The Orchard at University Place | Aug 23 | 4pm-9pm

Markets 🛍

🍂 Summers End Market
“Shop locally made cinnamon rolls, live portraits, clothing, ceramics, art, bouquets, and heirloom wellness.”
4801 N University Ave #350 | Aug 22 | 10am–8pm

🥕 Midway Farmers Market
Midway Town Square | Aug 23 | 10am-1pm

Sporty Stuff 🏃

💃 20th Annual Dancing Under The Stars
Dance is a sport, right? Utah’s award-winning ballroom, jazz, tap, and hip-hop teams (plus special guests and live musical acts)
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre | Aug 22-23 | Pre-show 7:15pm | Show 8pm

🚴 Connect 4 Ride
Join fellow cyclists to ride all the 400s in town.
400 N 400 E in Orem | Aug 23 | 4pm

🚴 Outdoor Peleton Event
Free outdoor Peloton session—first 250 RSVPs nab a Peloton mat! (do you get the keep the mat? we don’t know.)
Utah City Park | Aug 23 | 3:30pm-4:30pm

⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. UCLA
Cougars clash with the Bruins at South Field. UCLA is pretty much always good, but so is BYU! Let’s go Cougars!
South Field | Aug 23 | 7pm-8pm

Other ⭐

🥗 Vessel Kitchen Grand Opening in Orem
Be the first 25 through the door to score a limited edition tote! But even if you don’t get there on time for the free tote, there’s still a lot of good reasons to go check out Vessel Kitchen’s new location. The Orem High School Advanced Jazz Band will be performing at 10:45am, and the ribbon cutting is at 11am. If you go, take picture while you’re there and tag @vesselkitchen in your story on Instagram for the chance to win a big time giveaway, and/or grab some Buy One, Get One Free coupons!
Vessel Kitchen, 115 W Center St., Orem | Aug 22 | 10:45am–9pm (Opening at 11am)

🖍 Chalk the Block 2025
The artists started yesterday and even though a lot of them won’t be done until tonight or tomorrow there is still a ton to look at—no matter when you go. Always a favorite, it’s free to walk around, show up anytime, the sidewalk/parking lot masterpieces will amaze you (nationally recognized artists are there as well as lots of local talent), and all the proceeds go to charity!
The Shops at Riverwoods in Provo | Aug 22-23

🦅 Golden Eagle Presentation
Join Great Basin Wildlife Rescue to meet a some golden eagles up close. (free)
Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center plaza | Aug 23 | 6pm–7pm

🚆 The Comodores + Free Rides on Orem Express
It’s the evening before a concert so all aboard for some free rides! Also… The Commodores!
SCERA Park | Aug 25 | 5pm-8pm

📖 Imagication
They are reading “Put Me In The Zoo” this time, and Belle & Prince Adam will be there.
The Orchard at University Place | Aug 25 | 11am

🤝 Utah Valley Job Fair
Connect with hiring managers from a variety of industries.
Utah Valley Convention Center | Aug 26 | 2pm-5pm

📚 Super Sale Day
Most will be $2 or less.
Provo Library | Aug 26 | 12pm–3pm

📜 Learners with Littles | American Heritage Discussion Series
It’s fully booked, but you can get on the waiting list! Also, there are more of these coming up. Click here for more details about the whole series.
Clarke Building (CB) 511 | Aug 28 | 10am

For Leini, the founder of The Happy Cupcake, baking has always been her “happy place.” Here’s more about how she started The Happy Cupcake, and how it works:

How it started: Baking shows, family recipes, and neighborhood gatherings were all part of Leini’s early training ground. She’s always loved how her treats contributed to someone’s special event, or provided something that helped brighten someone’s day.

With encouragement from family and friends, she turned that lifelong love into a home bakery! After a pause for college, The Happy Cupcake is back, ready to share those same warm, from-scratch flavors with the community.

How it works: Treats that focus on a specific flavor profile will drop (the current flavor drop is Muddy Buddy). After a new flavor drops, you can order on gethappycupcake.com. There will be an ordering window that will open and you’ll be able to order treats from the current drop.

The rest of the week is all about making small-batch magic. Each treat is made by Leini, from scratch, by hand — which means each cookie, brownie, etc. is slightly unique (but they taste even better that way).

By Saturday, customers pick up their orders from one of three Utah County spots: Spanish Fork, Orem, or American Fork.

For the inside scoop on upcoming flavors, follow The Happy Cupcake on Instagram or Facebook.
Sprinkle on the happy
@the_happy_cupcake_

Fare thee well on thy quests and everything this weekend and see ya next week! 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie