Tales from Utah Valley: Mountainside features cherished community tradition
- For the seventh year, a star is lighting up the side of “G Mountain” above Pleasant Grove.
- Laura Giles

Courtesy photo
For the seventh year, a star is lighting up the side of “G Mountain” above Pleasant Grove.
It’s back. The star that has suddenly lit up the mountainside a few days before Christmas for the past few years is lighting up once again, an homage to a holiday that is special to many. This is the seventh year the giant star has brightened up the valley from the side of “G Mountain” in Pleasant Grove.
That particular mountain actually gets lit up a few times each year. Former residents David and Tandi Hartle, their family and a few volunteers create the lighted designs on the mountain, much to the delight of residents and visitors young and old. Other past designs have included a strawberry during Strawberry Days, a heart at Valentine’s Day and a bat for Halloween.
“We’ve been putting up the star for seven years now. It’s become a cherished tradition for our family and the community, something we look forward to every year,” David Hartle said. “It brings our family together, and we love seeing how much joy the star brings to the community.”
Hartle said this year’s star is designed with more than 50 lights and stands at 450 feet. It will stay up on the mountainside until a day or two after Christmas.
This year, seven people made the trek up the mountain to place the solar-powered lights. “It’s a time of bonding and creating memories, and it fills us with pride knowing that we’re contributing to something that brings happiness to so many. It’s an opportunity to spread holiday cheer, and it makes us happy knowing we’re making a positive impact,” he said.

Jeremy Hall
Laura Giles
About three years ago, the Hartle family moved to Meadow from Pleasant Grove. It is almost a four-hour round-trip drive every time they travel to Pleasant Grove to put up a display, fix lights or take the display down.
Some have asked if they can donate to help the family pay for lights and repairs. Donations can be made through Venmo @pglights.
According to comments on the Pleasant Grove Community Connection Facebook page, residents love the star. “Made me so happy to see it tonight,” stated one comment. “Saw it last night, leading me home,” stated another. Many wrote that they are grateful that this tradition is continuing.
We don’t have to hike up the mountain to get a good look at the star. In fact, it can be seen from far away, especially as the night sky darkens. However, traveling east on 200 South in Pleasant Grove will provide a great close-up view.
A star can be meaningful to many people, no matter their spiritual or religious beliefs. To many, it is a symbol of hope, brightness and light. Seeing that beautiful star on the mountain adds some sparkle and a little magic to the holiday.
Merry Christmas!