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Highland Fling
Thursday, July 31st - Saturday, August 2nd, 2025
Highland Fling - This Year's Theme is: Legacy & Tradition 150 Years Strong
The Highland Fling is quickly approaching! Don't miss any of the fun! You can find information here, in the city newsletter and on Facebook, Instagram (@highlandcityutah), or X.
IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DEADLINES
**More registration details will be found in the individual tabs below**
A Big THANK YOU To Our Sponsors Who Make the Highland Fling Possible!
For more information on the Highland Fling, click on the individual tabs or contact the Civic Events Coordinator at 801-772-4507 or email the Events Team.
2025 Highland Fling - All Events at Heritage Park
Thursday, July 31st - Heritage Night
Join Us As We Celebrate & Honor Our Scottish Roots
- 4:30 p.m. — Mayor's Welcome: Introduction Of Grand Marshall and City Council Members
- 4:30-8:30 - Scottish Village & Vendors
- 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Fireman Fundraiser Dinner: purchase food and help support our Modern Day Vikings- The Lone Peak Fire Department
- 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Interactive Blacksmith Demonstration
- 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Car Show in partnership with J.C. Hackett
- 5:00, 6:20, 7:05, 8:30 p.m. - Drawing Prizes For Highland City residents
- 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. — Celtic Dancing with accompanying live Celtic Music- presented by Barclay School of Dance & Archibald Academy Of Dance.
- 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. — Earth Wings Bird Show
- 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. — Synkofa Celtic Band
Friday, August 1st - Ignite the Future Day
Join Us For A Day Of Celebration, In Which We Honor The Incredible Youth In Our Community
- 10:00 a.m. — Mayor's Welcome: Introduction Of Highland City Youth Council
- 10:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Fine Art Show
- 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Food Trucks & Vendors
- 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Battle Of The Bands
- 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Highland's Got Talent
- 11:00 a.m., 1:00. 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:15 p.m. - Prize Drawings For Highland City Residents
- 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. - Strongman Competition
- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Friends Of The Library Event "Paint the Universe" at Heritage Park Pavilion
- 7:15 - 9:00 p.m. - Movie Night Extravaganza
- 9:15 p.m. - Movie: The Little Mermaid (1989)
Saturday, August 2nd - Gold Day
Join Us For A Day Of Celebrating Highland City Being Ranked:
The #1 City For Families To Live In Utah
- 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Highland Library Book Sale at the Heritage Park Pavilion
- 8:15 - 11:30 a.m. - Disc Golf Tournament
- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. - Grand Parade
- 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Highland DUP Cabin Open
- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Highland Games
- 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Vendor and Food Trucks
- 10:45 a.m. — Mayor's Welcome: Highland is #1
- 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Fine Art Show
- 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Antique Tractors
- 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Free Activities For All
- 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. - Celtic Country Dancers
- 11:00 a.m., 1:00. 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00 p.m. - Prize Drawings For Highland City Residents
- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Magician Scott Chamberlain
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Hypnotist Andrew Wonder
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Fling Fever: 4 Hour Free For All
- 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Horseshoe Tournament- Hosted By World Champion: Roy Buhler
- 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. - Vision Band Performance
- 10:00 p.m. or Dusk - Fireworks
Highland City Events Coordinator
Cristina Medina
801-636-0869
Highland City Arts Council
Shauna Larson
Strongman Competition & Highland Games Coordinator
Tyler Anderson
801-889-5013
Historical Society
Claudia Sudweeks
highlandhistoricalsoc@gmail.com
801-602-8394
DUP Cabin Tours
Heather Holbrook
Highland City Grand Marshalls 2025
Mark & Debra Thompson: A Legacy of Service in Highland City
As Highland City reflects on the legacy of its community leaders, few names carry as much history and heart as Mark and Debra Thompson. With roots reaching back to the 1920s, the Thompson family has been part of Highland’s foundation—literally and figuratively—for nearly a century.
Mark’s father, Reed Thompson, helped establish the Highland Water Department in 1958 and played a key role in forming the city in 1977. That spirit of service was passed down to Mark, who was raised on the same Highland land that his ancestors once farmed. Debra, born and raised in nearby American Fork, met Mark during their youth, and shortly after marrying in 1973, they moved to Highland—a place they’ve called home ever since.
Together, they raised four sons—Reed, Thad, Clint, and Raff—all in Highland, taught the same values of faith, family, and service that have long defined the Thompson name.
Over the years, Mark Thompson has worn many hats in service to the city he loves:
- Employee of the Highland Water Department
- Volunteer firefighter
- Lehi Irrigation Board member
- City Councilman
- And Mayor of Highland (2014–2017)
Yet his service wasn’t confined to city meetings or water lines—you could almost always find Mark out on the baseball field. Whether coaching his sons, maintaining the grounds, or simply enjoying a game, Heritage Park became a second home.
Debra Thompson also served Highland in her own quiet, steady way, working as a meter reader for the water department and supporting her family and community every step of the way.
Now retired from public office and city work, Mark and Debra remain deeply connected to Highland. They continue to care for their land, serve in church, and spend time with their grandchildren—many of whom now run and play on the same pastures their grandpa once did.
The Thompsons’ story is one of legacy—of building, serving, and belonging. For Mark and Debra, Highland isn’t just where they live—it’s who they are.
Prize Drawings For Highland Residents
As Our Way Of Saying Thank You For Being A Community Of Remarkable Citizens: This Year's Fling Will Include Prize Drawings For Highland Residents. Each day of the Highland Fling, there will be drawing prizes, each member of a Highland residency will receive 5 tickets. At the Fling, drawing prizes for that day will be displayed at the welcome table, simply place your ticket into the box in front of the prize you want to win.
You can pick up your tickets by showing a piece of mail or your ID, stating that you live in Highland, at either the Highland City front desk or at The Fling.
Each Day Offers Different Prizes- Some Of The Prizes Available To Win Are: (the images and products below are only some of the fantastic prizes available to win, Each Night Will Also Include A Grand Prize Basket)
Thursday July 31st:
Handcrafted Ceramic Pottery
High Quality Tea & Herbs Set
Authentic Dragon Viking Shield Replica
Viking Building Block Pirate Ship
Friday August 1st
Pickleball Gear
Texas RoadHouse Dinner Vouchers
Mermaid Gift Set
Concert Tickets
Saturday August 2nd
Family Outing Passes
Family Game Board Baskets
Family Movie Baskets
Visit Course To Sign Up Now!
Fireman Fundraiser Dinner
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Black Smith Interactive Demonstration by Wasatch Forge
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Car Show
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Celtic Dancing
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Featuring Traditional Celtic Dancing, Accompanied By Live Celtic Music
Archibald Academy of Highland Dance
Barclay School of Highland Dance
Earth Wings Bird Show
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park at 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Synkofa Celtic Band
Event Details:
- Thursday, July 31
- 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
- Visit https://www.synkofa.com/ for more information on the band
Food and Commercial Vendor Booths
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2
- 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park at 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Open all day at Heritage Park. A variety of food will be available from sweet treats and cold drinks to mouthwatering meals! Commercial vendors will be plentiful this year with a wide range such as books, homemade crafts, clothing, makeup and skincare.
Food Trucks
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2
- 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park - next to the entertainment stage
Food Truck Line Up Coming Soon
Battle of the Bands
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Highland's Got Talent
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Fine Art Show
Event Details:
All events will occur at the Highland Community Center: 5378 W 10400 N in Highland
Strongman Competition
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
"Paint the Universe" with the Friends of the Highland City Library
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Everyone is an artist in this fun “Paint the Universe” family activity at the Heritage Park Pavilion. The Friends of the Highland City Library invite you to join us as we continue to “Color Your World,” the theme of the 2025 Library Summer Reading Program. For just a small $5 donation you can create and take home a beautiful piece of art! Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent. All proceeds go to support Library programs. The Friends thank its sponsor Adobe for contributing the materials.
Little Mermaid Pre-Show
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 7:00- 9:00 Pre-Show
- 9:15 Movie Begins
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Parade
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
- The route will be from Highland Elementary to Heritage Park. Staging will open at 7:30 a.m. and will be on 10830 N, 6150 W, and 10930 N. Entries will get more detailed staging information emailed on Monday, July 28th in the morning.
- The parade route will be closed to non-parade traffic from 8 a.m. until the parade is finished, and staging will be closed to non-resident and non-parade vehicles (and will be one-way west to east) from 7:30 a.m. until approximately 9:30 a.m.
Highland Games
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
It has been stated in various histories that Highland was probably named by Scottish immigrants who said it reminded them of their "Beloved Scottish Highlands". In the spirit of honoring that heritage, and the strength of those who settled here.
Join the Utah Heavy Athletics athletes for the Highland Games featuring traditional Scottish events such as the Caber Toss, Weight for Height, Stone Put, Weight for Distance, as well as the State Hammer Championship, and the popular Sheaf Toss for Height.
Cost:
- Free to spectators
- $45 for competitors – save $10 if also registering for the Strongman Competition
Registration:
- Register online by July 27th to get a T-shirt, https://www.utahheavyathletics.com/registration-and-store
Contact: Tyler Anderson, mtnllama@gmail.com or 801-889-5013
Sponsors: Utah Heavy Athletics, Sport Kilt, ChiroMovement, and Mountain Land Rehab
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Antique Tractor Display
Event Details:
- Friday, August 1
- 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Kid Zone
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 11:00am to 7:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park at 10400 N Alpine Hwy
- All activities are FREE
Horseshoe Tournament
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Headliner Band: Vision
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
- Heritage Park 10400 N Alpine Hwy
Fireworks Show
Event Details:
- Saturday, August 2
- 10:00 p.m.
- Highland Family Park at 5691 W 10400 N