One of the highlights of this year’s WestFest celebration was Rising Generation Night on June 12. On both Centennial Park stages, youth performers showcased their talents and their hours of dedication to crafts.

Among the performers were the Salt Lake Academy of Music’s Festival Band. This talented rock group included six young teenagers who played both contemporary and classic rock numbers while weathering intense heat.

Band members included lead singer Liv Deagle; guitarists Aggy Deagle, Wylie Lander and Tyler Eriksson, bass player Franklyn Evans and drummer Rohan Apte. The Festival Band performs at many locations in the Salt Lake Valley during the summer.

SLAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to musical instruments, instruction, performance and recording programs for youth ages 6-18. They welcome students of all skill levels, backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Students learn to focus on their desired set of skills, fostering musical, social and academic growth through both individual and group mentorship.

Other performers during Rising Generation Night included Sistema Strings and Taiko Drums, Taupou Dance Academy-Laiza Soliai, the Starlite Dance company, Ayllu United and Valley Light Christian. 

There was also a butterfly release event held at the Butterfly Tent near one of the two stages in Centennial Park. 

A number of other entertainment events were part of this year’s WestFest, including rock, Latin and country music groups, a Tongan Christian band, a doughnut eating contest, police K9 demonstrations and fire department rappelling. Fireworks concluded festivities on both Friday and Saturday nights. λ