Editors Note: This press release was originally distributed by the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games.
In the early morning hours of July 24, Pioneer Day in Utah, the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games will learn if it will be the host of the 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. On Monday, July 8, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced CELEBRATE 2034, a live watch party in downtown Salt Lake City. It is expected to draw in some of the thousands camping out for the Days of ’47 Parade with live coverage from Paris on video boards in Washington Square beginning at 3 a.m.
“Utahns young and old cherish the core memory of the 1995 celebration at Washington Square when we were awarded the 2002 Winter Games,” said Mendenhall. “It’s the foundation of our Olympic legacy and I’m thrilled to welcome all to commemorate another historic moment for Salt Lake City and Utah.”
The CELEBRATE 2034 overnight watch party will feature live coverage from Paris in a festive atmosphere for overnight parade campers and Olympic fans from around the region with food trucks and free giveaways. The Utah Sports Commission is the primary partner for the watch party, which will be produced together with the City of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City Chamber, Downtown Alliance, and Visit Salt Lake. KSL-TV will provide live coverage from Paris and Salt Lake City, with local production company Dragonfli Media Technologies producing the display boards.
SLC-UT 2034 will make its presentation to the IOC Session in Paris at 3:00 a.m. MDT on July 24, with the election slated for 4:00 a.m. Video boards on the east side of the City-County Building will carry coverage live, with KSL-TV crews from Paris providing on-site coverage. Throughout downtown Salt Lake City, buildings will be illuminated in colors overnight through the Downtown Alliance.
“Utah is the State of Sport and we are ready, willing, and able to welcome the world back for the 2034 Winter Games,” said Utah Sports Commission President and CEO Jeff Robbins, the primary partner for the event. Since being established before the 2002 Games, the Sports Commission has partnered on over 1,100 major events in Utah. “The Sports Commission is proud to have been a part of the ride since 2002 in welcoming events to our state. We invite Utahns down for an early morning of fun and celebration on July 24.”
Live coverage will begin Tuesday evening, July 23, with early reports from Paris on Pioneer Day eve. Video of crowds assembled in Washington Square will be beamed to the presentation hall in Paris so showcase the state’s support. Fans in Washington Square will also be able to turn their heads and see the 2002 torch lighted again at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The bid for the 2034 Winter Games has been more than a decade in the making. On November 29, Utah celebrated on the steps of the City-County Building as the IOC officially made Salt Lake City-Utah the sole candidate for 2034. The vote by the full IOC membership on July 24 will make it official.
The live watch party in Washington Square will kick off a day of CELEBRATE 2034 festivities. An Olympic and Paralympic celebration is scheduled from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City. The event includes a festival with vendors, food, activities, giveaways, and an athlete meet and greet from 4 to 6 p.m. It also features a free Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show at 6:30 p.m. and live music by Freedog at 7:00 p.m. Free transit to the event is provided by High Valley Transit. Event details are available at https://utaholympiclegacy.org/event/celebrate-2034/.
The City of Provo will CELEBRATE 2034 with an evening event at the Peaks Ice Arena on July 24. Activities will include Zamboni photos, free public skating, athletes, and fireworks. In the Heber Valley, Pioneer Day festivities in Charleston will include a special CELEBRATE 2034 tribute to the Winter Games. The day will kick off with a flag raising at 6:45 a.m., including the SLC-UT 2034 flag. There will be activities all day long, culminating with the parade at 6:30 p.m. followed by live music and fireworks. Free stickers are available to fans at each CELEBRATE 2034 program.
Other communities wishing to CELEBRATE 2034 are welcome to reach out to SLC-UT 2034 for more information at info@slc-ut2034.org.
CELEBRATE 2034 WATCH PARTY SCHEDULE
Washington Square, Salt Lake City (east side of City-County Building)
Tuesday, July 23
- 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Live advance coverage on video boards in Washington Square
Wednesday, July 24
- 3:00 a.m. – SLC-UT 2034 presentation to IOC live
- 4:00 a.m. – IOC election
- 4:20 a.m. – Anticipated announcement time
- 5:30 a.m. – Unveiling of SLC-UT 2034 transition logo
- 9:00 a.m. – Days of 47 Parade