The Bountiful Davis Art Center will host its annual Summerfest Folk & Heritage Arts festival at Bountiful City Park on August 7 and 8, 2026, offering a two-day celebration of global music, food, and traditional art forms. This year's event adopts the theme "E Pluribus Unum"—Out of Many, One—to commemorate the nationwide America 250 anniversary and highlight the cultural stories that strengthen local communities.
A Celebration of Global Traditions
The festival, which is free to the public, will run from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM both Friday and Saturday. The Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC) has designed the event to serve as a platform for artisans and performers to share their traditions with a diverse audience. Attendees can explore a marketplace of artist vendors showcasing handmade work and participate in interactive activities in the festival's Art Yard, a dedicated creative area for children, teens, and families.
Diverse Musical Lineup
The festival's performance schedule features a wide range of cultural narratives through music and dance. On Friday, August 7, the lineup includes Honey Duval & Native Youth at noon, followed by N8tive Hoop at 1:00 PM, the Utah Alp Horns at 2:00 PM, Rise at 3:00 PM, Tauatage at 4:00 PM, Danz y Color at 5:00 PM, Hakan at 6:00 PM, and Kargi at 7:00 PM.
Saturday, August 8, will feature Mariachi Fuego at noon, Taiko at 1:00 PM, Halua at 2:00 PM, Tutilli Ballet at 3:00 PM, Divya at 4:00 PM, Geno at 5:00 PM, Callanish at 6:00 PM, and Ballet Folklorico at 7:00 PM. The festivities follow a special America 250 Celebration Eve featuring a Navajo Drum Circle and Dance held on Thursday, August 6.
Hands-on Heritage Workshops
To deepen the cultural immersion, the BDAC is offering several Heritage Arts Workshops led by master artists and cultural practitioners. These hands-on sessions allow participants to learn traditional techniques and take home handmade creations.
On Friday, August 7, a henna workshop will be held from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, led by Priya Neema. The workshop explores the history and cultural significance of the centuries-old art form, teaching participants how to prepare henna cones, apply designs, and manage proper aftercare for long-lasting color. A second workshop on Friday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM will focus on Lei Making, taught by Kahealani. This session explores the Hawaiian technique of haku lei, which involves weaving or braiding ferns and flowers for celebratory events such as weddings or graduations.
Culinary and Chocolate Traditions
The festival also emphasizes culinary traditions through a partnership with the Food Truck League, which will provide a curated selection of cultural cuisine.
On Saturday, August 8, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, Esmeralda Aquino will lead a workshop on Champarrado, Zoque-Maya chocolate-making. Presented by Esmeralda Torres and the Lopez Aquino Family of Chiapas, Mexico, and Utah, the session explores ancestral knowledge and earth-sustaining practices. Participants will experience the traditional process of roasting cacao beans, separating husks, grinding the beans, and mixing them with ingredients like cinnamon and sweetener to create chocolate paste and bars. The workshop includes a tasting of traditional chocolate beverages and various chocolate chip flavors, while examining connections between Mesoamerican traditions and Utah's cacao history.
Workshop Details and Registration
Additional specialized programming includes a K-Pop Demon Hunter Tiger workshop on Saturday, August 8, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This session, taught by Joon Bae, is designed for participants ages 13 and older and carries a $50 registration fee.
The BDAC noted that while Summerfest is a public celebration, space in the Heritage Arts Workshops is limited. Registration fees for the workshops must be paid before the start of each class to guarantee a spot. The Art Center maintains specific cancellation policies, including a $10 fee for student cancellations made before the first class and no refunds for cancellations made after a class has begun.
Building Community Bridges
The Summerfest event is part of the Bountiful Davis Art Center's broader mission to bridge the community with the global cultural landscape. By providing a space for artists to connect with new audiences, the festival aims to foster appreciation and exchange through the universal language of art. Through these interactions, the BDAC seeks to create an atmosphere of unity and understanding by exposing residents to diverse artistic practices from around the world.
