Key Highlights
- The Sundance Film Festival has been a cornerstone of Park City for the past 40 years.
- Sundance is moving to Boulder, Colorado this year, marking its final run in Utah.
- The festival attracts around 40,000 visitors annually, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism.
- Local business owners reflect on the impact of Sundance on their communities and personal experiences.
The Last Run of Sundance: A Cultural Milestone for Park City
Park City, Utah, has long been synonymous with winter sports and outdoor adventures. However, it’s also become a cultural hub thanks to the annual Sundance Film Festival. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the festival, which is set to come to an end in its current location before moving to Boulder, Colorado.
A Cultural Icon
“When you think of the things that really put Park City on the map, we have the Olympics that we had in 2002,” said Ryan Dickey, newly elected Mayor of Park City. However, he noted that it was Sundance that made his town a cultural destination in its own right.
“The Sundance Film Festival really put us on the map and made us a cultural destination in a way that other ski towns didn’t,” added Dickey. “That marquee name attached to it brought so many people who wouldn’t have experienced our town otherwise.”
The Economic Impact
For local businesses, Sundance is not just an event but a lifeline. Sheron Grant, owner of 11Hauz – Authentic Jamaican Food, said that visitors are often surprised to find her restaurant during the festival and winter season.
“They see me, and people are happy, and then they want to eat the food! But they’re always curious to know, ‘Black people out here?
In Utah?’ And I’m like YES, we are here! It’s beautiful, I like this place,” Grant explained.
It is estimated that 40,000 visitors from across the U.S. and the world descend on Park City during Sundance. This influx of tourists leads to significant traffic congestion but also boosts local businesses. “We embrace it, and we love our international tourists. It’s so fun to meet people from other countries,” said Kristen Doyon, co-owner of Flight Boutique located on Main Street in Park City.
Embracing the Legacy
The festival has been a part of Park City’s fabric for four decades. Dan Howard with the Park City Chamber of Commerce highlighted how Sundance and the city grew together over that time. “You know it used to be called the Utah U.S. Film Festival before it was called Sundance. And it was created to showcase the people of Utah, the vistas of Utah—how special it is,” he said.
“Every time people come, they’re like ‘I really like it!’” Howard added, emphasizing the enduring popularity and importance of the festival in Park City’s identity.
Bittersweet Goodbye
This year marks the final run of Sundance in Park City before it relocates to Boulder. For long-time residents who grew up with the festival, there is a bittersweet feeling. “You know, it’s bittersweet,” said Doyon. “My partner, Blaire, and I grew up in Park City, so we know Sundance being here all these years, and it’s such a tried-and-true staple and a really fun magical time to experience in Park City.”
As the festival prepares for its last year in Utah, residents and business owners are reflecting on the impact it has had. Sundance will not just be remembered as an event but as a catalyst that shaped their community’s cultural landscape.