Culling a year in photos is never easy, so many choices. Tens of thousands of pictures were taken for The Park Record in this calendar year. Nearly every published story has at least one accompanying image, many articles have multiple images expanding the visual reporting.
A high-profile sports event might require sifting through 6,000 images for just one game. All for the hope of documenting an eye-catching fraction of a second that captures the essence of good journalism. Maybe it’s Main Street all dug-up, or maybe a lacrosse winning goal, or perhaps, as simple as a guy clearing his driveway on a real powder day.
Specifically in this year, it was a delegation of Utahns jumping with elation in Paris France when the International Olympic Committee proclaimed that the 2034 Olympics are coming back to Utah.
The stories The Park Record tells are the stories of the Wasatch Back. The pictures of those stories are of us who cherish being here and appreciate the quality of life unique to this part of Utah and the mountain west. The regular events in the beginning of the year are rich with photo opportunities: Sundance Film Festival, FIS World Cup at Deer Valley, the spelling bee, the opening of Mirror Lake Highway, and on and on.
Here is a monthly breakdown of images that still tug at our hearts with prideful emotions and seem worthy of resharing with you, The Park Record readers.
-David Jackson
January
Egyptian Theater Technical Director Peter Mayhew changes the theater marquee to mark the week of Sundance 2024. The changing of the sign is an annual tradition welcoming the Sundance Film Festival to Park City. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonAfter a slow start to the 2023-24 winter season, a proper winter storm finally hit Northern Utah Tuesday, Jan. 10, dumping 11 inches at Deer Valley and 9 inches at Park City Mountain. That early January storm was just the beginning to a very snowy 2024 winter. Prospector resident Johnny Cox out early clearing his driveway. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Joana Vicente, CEO of the Sundance Institute visited the Park Record Studio January 17, 2024. The 2024 Sundance Film Festival would be her last as she resigned from her post after two and a half years in March of 2024. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Peter Baxter Founder of Slamdance visited the Park Record studio January 17, 2024. On April 30, 2024 it was announced that the festival would move to Los Angeles starting in 2025. The festival made its home in Park City, since its founding in 1995. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Will Farrell and Harper Steele at the premiere of their Sundance documentary “Will & Harper.” The two were on the red carpet at the Eccles Theater at Park City High School Jan. 22. After the Sundance premiere, Netflix picked up the film. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
February
The Deer Valley FIS freestyle World Cup got underway February 1st 2024. This is forerunner Freddie Mickel 17, a PCHS student a bit upside down off the top Champions course jump during a training session. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonThe Deer Valley FIS freestyle World Cup moguls competion was held at Deer Valley’s Champion run. Here, all of mens competitors are inspecting the course on Feb. 1. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordThe Park City Miners Red team is once again state hockey champions. They got one goal in the second period and hung on for the victory over the Brighton Bengals Navy team. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordParkite Chris Lillis goes airborne into the fog and mixed precipitation at the Deer Valley FIS World Cup Feb. 2. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordFirst-ever alpine super G event in Park City was held at Utah Olympic Park Feb. 13. It was a women’s FIS level international event hosted by Park City Ski and Snowboard. The run is called Olympic Hopeful and served by the new lift at Utah Olympic Park known as Game Changer. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
March
In the first sanctioned boys volleyball game the Miners hosted Woods Cross at Park City gym #1 March 5. The Miners beat the visitors 3-2. Ty Hastings (25) smashes a third-set return. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordThe Park Record spelling be was held in early March at the Park City Library. The winner Sasha Kenlon is left, and to her right is Mayor Nann Worel announcing the final results, with runners-up Leo Dailey and Anthony Kondra on the right. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordThe heavy snow fall for the beginning of 2024 was evident in this aerial photograph. A bit of greenery surrounded by mounds of snow at the Quinns Junction Sports Complex. On this day, the Park City Miners boys freshman soccer team hosted the freshman team from Wasatch High School March 14. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordTingo, a 2 year old border collie-blue heeler mix, is one of four avalanche dogs at Deer Valley Resort. Pictured here, he practices finding a person buried in snow as part of an avalanche drill in late March at Deer Valley. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordGrooming the Bonanza Flats Loop trail for skiing and hiking. Mountain Trails snowcat operator Alec Johnson guides his snowcat through an Aspen grove March 29 Skiers were able access the scenic trail by utilizing The Transit To Trails shuttle service, provided by Park City Municipal, carrying skiers and hikers from Bonanza Park in Prospector to Empire pass. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
April
Deer Valley Resort opened a few runs in the East Village expansion area April 1. Season pass holders got a chance to make some turns in some of the new terrain projected to be fully open in the 2025-26 season. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordWyatt, a 12-year-old mustang rescued from Fabrizius kill pen in Colorado was rescued by Liberty Sanctuary in Heber. The equine sanctuary is now his home, which offers freedom for equines rescued from the slaughter pipeline. A vast network responsible for cruelly sending mostly healthy horses to slaughter in Canada and Mexico. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordPark City Mountain skier Jack Fritz working the halfpipe on April 8. The halfpipe is the proposed site of the 2034 Olympic venue for snowboard/skiing halfpipe and slopestyle events. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordSpringtime on Main Street in Park city was construction zone. Park City Municipal undertook a water main project in April. The project removed an old and damaged water main and replaced it with new. The project finished in early July. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordPark City High School unveiled a new high-tech scoreboard in April at Dozier field. On senior night, April 24, the high school boys lacrosse team hosted the Highland Rams at Dozier field and secured the win 14-8. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
May
Alpine Forestry team member Xia Arnold lights a slash pile in Summit Park along the Over Easy Trail above Matterhorn Terrace on May 15. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonIn a game against Skyline Park City Miner boys lacrosse player Wade Birch (6) somehow maintains control of the ball while being checked to the turf on May 16. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordA family of Great Horned owls took up residence in the entranceway over the Emergency Room entrance at Park City Hospital. One of the four chicks fell to the ground and was rescued. On May 18, that chick was put back in the nest. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordGwyneth Goes Skiing cast members touring Park City, Linus Karp in the Deer Valley sweatshirt as Gwyneth, Joseph Martin as Terry Sanderson touring the the ski run at Deer Valley where the collision occurred. The actors are on Bandana run a couple hundred yards above the site of the collision on May 23. Credit: David Jackson/Park RecordUDOT teams clearing snow over Bald Mountain Pass (Mirror Lake Highway, S.R. 150) May 29. There was 4-8 feet of snow over the pass. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
June
Pilot Troy Bradley pulls the lever to the burners on June 4 above Heber City. Bradley described the mornings flight as “a perfect day for flying” and called the conditions “truly ideal.” Credit: Clayton Steward/ Park RecordNico Wharton and Mason Papadakis cool off in a irrigation sprinkler off of S.R. 224 on Tuesday, June 11. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordWith most of the 407 caps of the 2024 Park City High School graduates back on the ground, Q’ Atkinson clutches to his cap and diploma in celebration of his graduation. He said he was not letting go of his cap. Credit: Park Record file photo by David JacksonJustin Abel, Marina Profy, Matthew Helms and Michele Wiles perform during a Ballet Next performance on June 21 at the Jim Santy auditorium in the Park City Library. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordWendy Cryan and Marianne Cone hike back to their vehicles along the Round Valley Express trail after the Solstice Moon Shine Social on June 20. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
July
“I’m going to double in Paris,” Grant Fisher said, “so we have been trying to simulate those rounds in training.” Fisher is coached by his former high school coach, Mike Scannell. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordIra Dickinson rides the horse Chaperone during the saddle bronc riding event as the sun sets over the arena of the Oakley Rodeo in July. Credit: Park Record file photo by Clayton Steward
An Olympic summer: At home and abroad
David Jackson photographed the historic announcement of the return of the Winter Olympic Games in 2034 while Clayton Steward photographed the excitement in Utah, down in Salt Lake and at the Utah Olympic Park.
Miya Snow, Claire Miller, Jane Parry, Jack O’Leary and Kai Schoenenberger wait in anticipation of the final decision of where the 2034 Winter Games will be held during a watch party at Washington Square in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
A delegation from Utah traveled to Paris in July as the International Olympic Committee selected Salt Lake City as the host of the 2034 Winter Olympics. From left: Gov. Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Paralympian Dani Aravich and Olympic champion skier Lindsey Vonn celebrate the announcement. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Utah Bid Committee CEO Fraser Bullock, and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox next to flight 2034 bound for Paris, France. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
The Eiffel Tower at sunset the night after the opening ceremonies Credit: David Jackson | Park Record
Lindsey Vonn takes a selfie with IOC President Thomas Bach and members of the SLC-Utah 2034 presentation team.
Park City Mayor Nann Worel and her husband, Mike pose together in Paris following the announcement that Salt Lake City will host the 2034 Olympic Games, with Park City playing a pivotal role. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
The Team USA House in Paris prior to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games, speaks before the 142nd IOC session at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Olympic short track speed skater Apolo Ohno rings a cowbell as Lindsey Vonn and Fraser Bullock enter the restaurant where a celebratory meal was held following the announcement. Credit: David Jackson/Park Record
Tristian Epperson, 12, practices skating at the booth where people could try skating and curling. Epperson is a speed skater from Salt Lake City with hopes for the 2034 Games. His mom, Dasha, said that after she told him that the Games were coming to Utah in 10 years, he got straight up to go train. Epperson said if he gets to compete at the Winter Games at home it would be “crazy, just absolutely unimagineable.” Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Micah Jones reacts to something his family tells him from across the ring. The lamb he showed in class #7 received second for the group. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
August
Hannah Homer rides a barrell bull at the special needs rodeo at the Wasatch County Fair. This is the 17th year the rodeo has been held in Heber City. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordKindergartener Adelina Slonaker Trillo laughs while standing next to kindergarten aide Julie DeBlanc. Kindergartners riding the bus were met by DeBlanc as they arrived on their first day. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordCheri Sessions, in green, interprets an arm movement to her daughter Dahlia, second from the right, during a BalletNext summer intensive class taught by Michele Wiles, the company’s founder and artistic director, left, as company dancer Matthew Helms, right, watches. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordQuarterback Sebastian Bodily reacts as the clock runs out for the first home game at Dozier Field. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordMike McKinney shows a frame covered in bees taken from a beehive box, full of honey and beeswax, on Aug. 28, at Summit Community Gardens. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
September
Sally Elliott sits at home Wednesday, Sept. 4, in the Prospector neighborhood. Earlier in the day, Elliott was recognized as the 2024 recepient of the Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordMayor Nann Worel pushes on the front end of the new fire engine on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Deer Valley Fire Station, #34. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordChild actors play a game of Go Fish while other actors congregate for the pre-show meeting prior to a matinée showing of Beauty and the Beast which was performed in English and American Sign Language. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
The Making of a Fight
The Making of a Fight was a micro-documentary produced by The Park Record in September that was the cumulation of weeks spent documenting the process leading up to The Mountain Mettle. Below is a single frame from the photo essay and the video.
Neve Stein puts her headgear and gloves on during a training session on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at RISE Gym. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
The first snowfall of fall 2024 arrived on Tuesday, Sept. 17, along peaks at Guardsman Pass. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordPresident of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach takes questions from the media at the conclusion of his tour of the Utah Olympic Park on Saturday. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
October
Fire fighter personnel drive out of the active burning area of the Yellow Lake Fire within the Wasatch National Forest on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 3. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordMyles Rademan’s wife, Joy Barrett, left, speaks during public comment about his impact on the community and her perspective of his career. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordSenior libero Anya Pushka raises the Region 10 volleyball trophy over her head after defeating the Hillcrest Huskies in three straight sets Oct. 22. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordErin Hayes, niece of Patrick Hayes, listens to Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby while a tear rolls down her cheek on Thursday, Oct. 10, near the scene of the crime. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Morgan De Marco, a burn nurse working with Adventure Medics deployed from Oregon to the Yellow Lake fire. She and her crew got in five days prior. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
November
Spanish Fork receiver, Gage Christensen, No. 2, watches as the ball goes through his hands and nearly into the hands of a Miner defender on Friday, Nov. 8. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Weathering the storm: A look inside the campaigns for Seat C
Ari Ioannides and Megan McKenna participate in the Summit County Council community forum on Oct. 1. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Megan McKenna waves to the crowd during the Miners Day Parade that was held on Sept. 2. Her campaign float included a live band with a song written just for McKenna. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Ari Ioannides and campaign manager XXXXX XXXXX talks to Rob Stanford, middle, during a door knocking push on Oct. 24, in the Pinebrook neighborhood. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Megan McKenna talks to her campaign manager, Jenny Dorsey, during a coffee with the candidate event on Oct. 23 at Mix’ Place in Coalville. McKenna held a series of these events at various locations in Summit County. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Ari Ioannides gives a literal stump speech during a campaign event that was held in the Trailside Estates neighborhood of Park City at Another Way School. The event allowed consituents to meet with the candidate on a personal level. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Megan McKenna hands out candy during the Howl-O-Ween event on Main Street during the Halloween festivities. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Ari Ioannides checks his phone for election results during a watch party held at his home in the Tollgate Canyon neighborhood on Election Night. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
David Blazzard, nephew of John Blazzard, picks up a burnt piece of wood while cleaning up a section of the burnt area on Tuesday. David described the outpouring of community support that has come in many different forms, including a “small army” of helpers the night prior. Credit: Park Record file photo by Clayton StewardFourth-year ski patroller Quinn Graves holds a “Honk 4 Solidarity” sign during a recent demonstration by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association. Credit: Park Record file photo by Clayton StewardA skier snaps into their skis on the opening day at Deer Valley. Credit: Tyson Bolduc for the Park Record
December
Sebastian, 4, smiles while heading to another aisle while being pushed by Park City Police Officer Jason Rose. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
The last nursing home in Summit County
Melissa McArthur, second from left, along with Cynthia Crofts, fourth from left, and Sherri Smoot, second from right, were some of the women that created a sense of community at Elk Meadows, making multiple visits each week to play games, visit with residents and provide help where they could. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Some Elk Meadows residents attended a September Oakley city council meeting to provide and listen to public input about the potential sale. LaDene Atkinson, a resident at Elk Meadows, called the facility her home and shared how she did not want to have to move. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Melissa McArthur gives public comment at an Oakley city council meeting in September. Many residents urged the council to do what they could to keep Elk Meadows from being sold. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Verl Jensen and Melissa McArthur pass out candy at the Halloween festivities at Elk Meadows on Oct. 26. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Verl Jensen looks down while his daughter Melissa McArthur packs up his room on Oct. 25. Jensen moved to a nursing home in Lindon at the end of October. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Verl Jensen shares a goodbye hug with his friend, LaDene Atkinson, a fellow Elk Meadows resident. The pair enjoyed playing games and sharing meals with each other, Atkinson calling the residents “family”. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Verl Jensen dozes off while sitting in the sun coming in from the large windows in the Elk Meadows main area. Jensen passed away on Dec. 6 with his daughter, Melissa McArthur, by his side. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
Lead Bartender at The Goldener Hirsch, Facundo Acosta, works on making a “Still Standing” N/A spritz. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park RecordThis Inspired Summit Adventures yurt sits about 15 minutes from the Smith and Moorehouse Reservoir and is accessible by snowmobile. Credit: Clayton Steward/Park Record
A new perspective
“Look at it with a fresh set of eyes” is a sentiment that I am sure most everyone is familiar with. It is also how I would describe my approach to the first six months on the job at The Park Record. I had never set foot in Utah prior to moving here, except for a quick layover in Salt Lake City once.
Seeing this landscape, the people, the conflict and the rapid changes across everything aforementioned has been a daily challenge, and opportunity, for this midwesterner.
Photojournalism asks, at its core, one of the easiest and hardest things from a person — just show up.
Showing up can be easy when it’s the Oakley Rodeo, a sunrise hot air balloon ride or a styled shoot of a cocktail. Showing up is harder when it is to document a grieving family at a press conference, the scene of a fire that ruined a legacy business or while watching the last nursing home in the county close its doors, leaving families with incredibly hard decisions in front of them.
It is a gift to do what we do behind the camera every single day. I feel most fortunate when I am welcomed into a person’s or family’s life to document everything from the simple moments that are usually laughed off with, “well, we aren’t really doing anything,” to those that leave me hiding teary-eyed behind my viewfinder.
Thank you to everyone who has allowed Park Record photographers to document different moments of life. We hope to continue doing what we do best: showing up.
