Manti is the oldest town in Sanpete County and serves as the county seat and home to the county fairgrounds. There are five big summer events taking place in Manti this year. The Annual Rat Fink Reunion, Mormon Miracle Pageant, Independence Day, Manti ATV Ride and the Sanpete County Fair.

Rat Fink

Manti is home to the famous Rat Fink Museum, featuring displays of the works of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, creator of the Rat Fink characters and the cool, unique cars he built.

The annual Rat Fink Reunion will be held Thursday through Saturday, May 30-June 1, at Rat Fink Store and Museum located at 404 East 300 North. Events include a car show at Manti City Park, 400 West 200 North.

The Rat Fink Artists come from all over to show off their talents and for custom pin striping on customer items. There is always music, food and live entertainment. For full details see the schedule of events or visit www.ratfink.com.

Mormon Miracle Pageant

The 53rd and last Mormon Miracle Pageant is scheduled to take place June 13-15 and 18-22, on the hillside on south side of the Manti Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple sits high on the hill, overlooking the city and can be seen throughout the valley when lit. The pageant is free to attend. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the pageant begins at 9:30 p.m.

Attendees are advised to arrive early for optimum first-come seating or to select room on the grass. Bring a sweater or blanket. Be prepared in case of inclement weather. Concessions will be for sale in the area.

For more information, visit http://mantipageant.org.

Independence Day

Manti celebrates the nation’s birthday Wednesday, July 4, with Ring Out for Freedom, from 6 to 7 a.m., at Manti American Legion Hall, 173 South Main. Everyone is welcome to come ring the bell in celebration.

There will be 5K runs, American Legion breakfast, bike ride, patriotic program with flag ceremony, kid’s fashion show, vendor and food booths, races, and contests in the park, free swimming at the Aquatic Center, Tennis and baseball matches and a parade in the evening followed by entertainment and fireworks.

Manti ATV Ride

The Arapeen OHV Trail System is one of the most scenic mountain trails in Utah, as such, the annual Manti ATV Ride presents a great opportunity for family and friends to explore the system during a three-day ride, Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 15-17.

The ride begins at Manti City Park, 200 North 400 West. Riders must register in advance and provide their own vehicles. For information visit http://www.mantiatvrun.com or Manti City office at (435) 835-2401.

Sanpete County Fair

This year Sanpete County will hold the annual fair Aug. 17-24, at the fairgrounds located on the north end of town, complete with a full week of fun and activities. By August, gardeners and crafters have had time to grow and create many works of art to display at the fair.

Visitors will find displays of all sorts, a rodeo, the ever-popular demolition derby, animals of all descriptions, cowboy poetry, ATV barrel race, and livestock shows.

Tractors will be on display, firemen will be challenged, horse pull contests, a car show and mammoth parade. Don’t miss Fun on the Farm for little ones, the midway carnival rides, food, games and entertainment. This year’s schedule can be viewed online at http://www.sanpetecountyfair.net.

About Manti

Prophet Brigham Young, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sent the first settlers to Manti after he received an invitation by Ute Chief Wakara to send people down to the San Pitch area to teach the Utes how to farm.

The original company of 50 pioneer families arrived in the winter of 1849. The pioneers, whose first camp was established on what is now Temple Hill, spent that first winter enduring hardships of scant food, clothing, hostile Indians and makeshift housing.

Settlers were forced to use wagons and dugouts for protection against the severe cold and 700 Indians camped not far away. About half of the cattle froze to death and the people were unable to get more food and supplies from Salt Lake City.

But winter was not the only problem, as spring approached the ground thawed and the pioneers were faced with hundreds of rattlesnakes. Miraculously not one of the settlers died from snakebite.

Isaac Morley, the leader of this pioneer group was given the honor of naming the town. He suggested ‘Manti’ as a good name, and so the name was adopted. Manti is a town mentioned in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, which is considered as scripture by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.