Miners Day is an autumn tradition in Park City, celebrating the town’s mining history through a parade, fundraising, breakfast, and a 5K. This year, local organizations are adding new festivities to what the rest of the country refers to as Labor Day.
Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History to Introduce Park City Historic Mine Route
The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, an all-volunteer committee that’s part of the Park City Historical Society and Museum, has been hard at work developing a seven-mile hike that will highlight one of the world’s largest collections of silver mining structures.
Colleen Logan, the public relations and marketing director for the committee, explained that the route is opening on Miners Day. “The Park City Historic Mine Route combines outdoor adventure with historic discovery on a route that begins on historic Main Street,” she says. The route is family-friendly with a mix of paved and dirt terrain and gains 1,200 feet of elevation.
After departing the Park City Museum, hikers can see and learn about several Park City mining structures, including the Silver King Mine Building, which was one of the area’s most profitable silver mines in the late 1800s. Skiers may recognize it as the large building at the base of Park City Mountain Resort’s Bonanza chairlift. Along the way, hikers can learn more about Park City’s history from over 100 signs, which are set to be installed with the help of the Mountain Trails Foundation. There will even be an option to listen to an audio guide, which the committee has been developing with TravelStorys. “The stories are triggered by GPS. You just open up the app, put it in your pocket, and as you walk or ride, the stories will start playing,” Logan says.
This new hike opens after the Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History’s project to restore the Silver King Mine, which began in 2021 and was completed last fall. “Our group just spent the last four years restoring the building after time and weather took their toll,” Logan explains. “The mine shut down in 1953 and that building had been left untouched.” Alongside Silver King, the committee has helped restore 14 historic mining structures around town.
The loop will be unveiled on Miners Day, September 7. “That’s the thing to do after the parade, is go and take a great hike,” Logan says.
Want to Support a Good Cause? Join Park City Rotary’s ‘Big Ballers Club’
One of Miners Day’s favorite traditions has always been the Running of the Balls, and this year the event is getting a new participation tier, complete with a cheeky name: the Big Ballers Club. The longrunning fundraiser lets participants purchase golf balls that are then released down Main Street in a fast-moving, lottery-style roll. “At the very end, there’s a funnel and one single ball makes it first. That ball wins a prize,” explains Kristin Wright, the Park City Rotary Club’s event chair. “There are several dozen winners in the end.” Prizes include high-ticket items, for example, a season pass to Deer Valley.
Joining the Big Ballers Club costs $375 per person (or $550 for a couple) and provides one Silver Strike Ball (which is valued at $100 and offers a higher chance of winning a prize), 20 regular balls, VIP entry into the Big Baller Lounge (hosted by The Cabin bar), food and drink tickets, a souvenir hat and glass, and prime seating at the Miners Day Parade. Wright says that they’re hoping to increase the amount of money raised at the event. Last year, the rotary club raised around $100,000, and every dollar went back into the community for grants. “Nobody’s making any money, all of it goes right back into community grants,” she explained.
Your Miners Day Schedule
Mark your calendar for Miners Day on September 7 and then get into the spirit with these community-focused activities.
8 a.m. — Attend the Bark City 5K with your furry running buddy, in support of Park City animal organizations. Costumes and entry donations are encouraged! Not a runner? Cheer on your fellow Parkites.
10:30 a.m. — Running of the Balls commences on Main Street. Big Baller Club members can enjoy the lounge at The Cabin from 10 a.m. to noon.
11 a.m. — The Miners Day Parade begins with a flyover by the Utah Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Enjoy a coffee and pastry from Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters or Atticus Coffee.
12:30 p.m. — Mucking & Drilling Competitions at City Park, featuring a rock hand selected by Park City Rotary Club donated by Mountain Valley Stone. After the event, it will be auctioned off to raise money for community grants.
Looking for more? Rise and shine for a festive breakfast at City Park, hosted by Saint Mary’s Catholic Church (7:30-9:30 a.m.). Other options include visiting the historic Miners Hospital for a history presentation (noon to 4 p.m.) or heading to City Park to indulge in live music (11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.), food trucks, a beer garden, and vendor booths (11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
