High winds change plans for outdoor concert

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PAGE – Organizers for Saturday’s Veterans of Foreign Wars fundraiser had to think and react quickly. The team began setting up at 8 a.m. for the noon event. Six bands, multiple vendors, including Grand Circle Arts Alliance were looking forward to the outdoor concert at Page Shores Amphitheater.

The lineup included Ryan Tracy and the Heartbreak Kid, Electric Witness, Pooch, Tom Bennet and the Living Proof, Jensen Buck and The Family, and the Ripple Effect.

The wind blew strong and constant Saturday, with gusts over 40 mph. In the desert, this means a sand storm. Mayor Levi Tappan said sand was everywhere, and at noon barely a dozen people had braved the winds for the free event.

Outdoor vendors found setting up futile in the winds, equipment was sandblasted, and it looked like the show wouldn’t go on. Tappan, the principal organizer, acted quickly. He made arrangements to relocate to Grand Circle Grill in Page. The restaurant is large enough to handle an event.

Everyone packed up and moved to the indoor venue. The show was only delayed by three hours. Tappan said, “It was a full house.” All six bands played. Four bands played one-hour sets and two bands played hour and half sets.

All the vendors were accommodated at the new location, and the show went on

The event was also live-streamed thanks to AC Videos. Tappan said the stream had about 1,300 viewers.

Tappan, whose final time leading city council meetings is Nov. 18, said he wanted to accomplish two things with the event. One, to help the VFW and to honor veterans and police; and two, to highlight the economic benefits of using the amphitheater. He said the City invested a quarter-million dollars in it, and he hopes the future council will find ways to utilize it.

Tappan had a lot of help putting the event together. To help cover the costs, the following sponsors gave support:

Partner sponsors: Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Pow Wow Trading Post, Lake Powell Vacations, State 48 Tavern 

Supporters sponsors: Double R Collision, Frito Lay, Rim View Terrace, Grand Circle Grill, Odyssey Fitness 

In kind sponsors: Courtyard by Marriott, 3 Peaks Glass, Republic Services, AC Videos