Partner Highlights Blog:
Cache County
When you think of Cache County what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many Utahns the answer is likely, cheese, Logan, or Utah State University. And while those are all great things, Cache County has incredibly diverse offerings, including an especially vibrant performing arts scene.
In downtown Logan there are a trio of historic theaters which host live performances year-round.
The Ellen Eccles Theater is home to the Utah Festival Opera. The theater seats 1,100 people and also hosts musicals and touring Broadway shows. Cache County resident and renowned opera singer Michael Ballam rallied the community to save the historic theater from a date with the wrecking ball many years ago, and he’s still at the helm today. Meeting Michael was a highlight for our team.
Just a stone’s throw away are the Lyric and Utah theaters. Both have been lovingly restored. The Lyric has professional performers and offers year-round musical productions, while the Utah can also host plays as well as showing silent movies in style. The theater has a massive vintage pipe organ and during silent films, the accompanist who plays the organ rises up from the stage on a hydraulic lift!
In the summer, it’s possible to take in six live productions at these theaters over the course of three days! There are large cities across the country that can’t match what Logan has to offer.
As if three theaters aren’t enough, this same part of downtown is also home to the historic LDS Tabernacle and a brand new outdoor performance space on Main Street at Laub Plaza. The plaza was part of a long-term plan to create a more vibrant and walkable downtown. It also features spaces for seating, games and a water feature that transitions into an ice ribbon in the winter. Laub Plaza is a perfect centerpiece for an activated downtown which includes the restored Bluebird Candy Company, and newer offerings such as a popular pizza place and Logan’s first brewery, Prodigy.
By the way, have you met Julie Hollist Terrell? If you’ve met her once, you can’t forget her! Julie is the Tourism Director for Cache County, and an all-around dynamo with energy, creativity and humor to spare. Along with her one full time employee, one part-time employee and a few volunteers, their passion and organization have taken tourism to new heights in and around Logan.
During our visit we were also introduced to representatives from the Chamber of Commerce as well as county government representatives who all have a vested interest in tourism.
Another fantastic – and still quite new – asset is The Cache County Convention Center. It’s a busy facility hosting everything from weddings to conferences to fundraising events. Julie emphasized that tourism dollars paid for this multipurpose building!
Elsewhere in Cache County, Julie’s team promotes numerous other events and facilities including a “Foodie Trek” each summer. It’s a self-guided tour with 20 participants like Cox Honey, Café Ibis Coffee, Aggie Ice Cream, and select retail.
The American West Heritage Center provides breathtaking views of the Cache Valley and offers so many great immersive experiences for visitors. Volunteers teach about the Shoshone Tribe, mountain men and demonstrate aspects of life during pioneer times.
Next time you’re in Logan, make time for a stop at the historic courthouse on Main Street where there’s a great visitor’s center. Julie and her crew work out of the same building and they’ll likely be around, planning the next big thing.