There’s been a lot of excitement around the city of Payson in recent months, from a successful push to bring actor Kevin Bacon back to the city and its high school for the 40th anniversary of the movie “Footloose” to the revamping of the city’s Main Street.

And this weekend, Payson’s Golden Onion Days returns for its 95th year.

In 1929, then-Mayor L.D. Stewart proclaimed the city’s first Onion Harvest and Homecoming celebration.

“Whereas many former residents of Payson City feel and have expressed a desire to come back to Payson and bring their friends with them for the purpose of meeting old friends and forming new friendships,” the proclamation stated.

During the 1920s, state officials encouraged communities to choose a locally produced product of their community and use it to brand their respective city celebrations.

Hence, the naming of Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove, and American Fork’s Steel Days celebration.

As an ode to the city’s onion production, Payson’s onion-themed festival honors its past agricultural resources while marking the end of summer.

The celebration was later renamed Golden Onion Days and generally held each year over Labor Day weekend.

Droves of citizens descend on the city to enjoy events such as concerts, a carnival, a baby contest, a car show, 5K and 10K races, a parade, fireworks, food and merchandise vendors.

“There’s a lot of people that come back to Payson during the celebration,” City Manager Dave Tuckett said.

Before the four-day festival officially kicks off Friday, community members are invited to a free concert Thursday evening featuring country music artist Phil Vassar at the Peteetneet Outdoor Amphitheater, at the corner of 100 South and 500 East.

Tuckett says the Grand Parade down Main Street — set to take place Monday starting at 10 a.m. — typically draws an attendance of around 10,000 people.

Timing seemingly has aligned for the annual celebration, as the city recently completed repaving Payson’s historic thoroughfare, which has been under construction since earlier this year as part of a revitalization project.

Tuckett said most of the work has been completed and Main Street will be open for this weekend’s festivities.

“There’s still work to be done on Utah Avenue and some of the smaller things, but we did open up the street,” Tuckett told the Daily Herald. “The parade will go down that new part of the street as well.”

For a full list of activities, including dates and times of events, visit paysonutah.org.

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