The VISA International Women's Ski Jumping Festival is Friday and Saturday at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. Admission is free for the event, the first international women's competition since approval of the 2009 World Championships in the Czech Republic and a formal recommendation for women's ski jumping to be included in the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver in 2010. The event will utilize artificial turf. Women's Ski Jumping USA and the National Sports Foundation are hosting the event, which will include competitors from around the world. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. on both days, with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Three rounds of jumping start at 6 p.m. Spectators will get a chance to meet the jumpers when the final jumps are completed, about 8 p.m.

Canoe trip

The Utah Rivers Council is holding a canoe trip on the Jordan River Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as part of its Explore Summer series.

The trip is free, with canoes being provided by REI. Space is limited and registration is required. Call Sarah at 801-486-4776 or send her an e-mail at sarah@utahrivers.org to save your spot.

Pioneer Day events

Utah State Parks has the following events planned around the state holiday:

Saturday and Monday - Antelope Island State Park is holding a variety of events at the Fielding Garr Ranch House. Learn how to make handkerchief dolls, dip candles, a lantern and use a needle and quilt. Pioneer games will be held during the day, with farm ball and family sack races. Steven Olsen, assistant director of the Museum of History and Art, will give a lecture, "Ordering the Wilderness: Mormon Settlement as a Cultural Process" on Saturday at 2 p.m. Pioneer craft events continue Monday.

A star party starts at dusk Saturday, with members of the Ogden Astronomical Society and Weber State University on hand. Call 801-773-2941 for more information.

Sunday - A Campfire Program, "Hawks Up Close," is being held at the Hailstone Recreation Area at Jordanelle State Park at 7 p.m. The presentation is being made by park staff and volunteers from HawkWatch International. Live birds will be featured. Call 435-782-3030 for more information.

Gourd crafting workshop

Iron Mission State Park Museum in Cedar City is hosting a two-day gourd craft workshop Saturday and July 29 starting at 9 a.m. at the museum. The cost is $50 and covers supplies.

Participants will receive an introductory lecture on gourd history, learn the fundamentals of growing and drying gourds, learn the basic use of tools and be directly involved in all stages of gourd crafting. Class participants will select, design and finish a gourd piece they will take home.

Registration is required. Call 435-586-9290 for more information.

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To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@sltrib.com or by mail to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.