The Salt Lake Arts Council will once again ban the sale of single-use plastic bottles at the Living Traditions Festival and the Twilight Concerts — and the policy is expanding to several other events this summer.
“The whole idea is just to produce less of a carbon footprint,” said Matt Thurber, communications director for the council. “We thought it would be a good thing for the earth.”
Water and soda will be available for purchase at the Living Traditions Festival this weekend, but festivalgoers are being asked to bring their own bottles. There will also be reusable metal bottles available for sale.
“Last year was the first year we did this, and we got pretty good response,” Thurber said.
The Living Traditions Festival is moving a block east to Library Square this year, but food vendors will remain on 200 East, which will be closed between 400 South and 500 South. There will be 22 food vendors, including several new to the festival: African Spice, Alliance Francaise SLC and Westminster French Club, AM Bor, the Bolivia Utah Association, the Jayhawks Club, and La Michoacana Ice Cream and Paletas.
The 34th annual festival, which celebrates Utah’s cultural diversity, opens Friday at 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Living Traditions Festival
The festival celebrates Utah’s cultural diversity through performance, crafts and foods. Learn more at livingtraditionsfestival.com.
Where • Library Square, 420 South 200 East, Salt Lake City
When • Friday, May 17, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 18, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, May 19, noon to 7 p.m.
Admission • Free
Beer and wine • Available for purchase for patrons 21 and older near the west festival stage, adjacent to the soft drink sales booth.
Pets • Not allowed, except for service animals
Smoking • Not permitted on festival grounds
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