Maybe Utah doesn't have Laguna Beach, Calif., with its spectacular ocean view and coastline. But Utah does have a Lagoon-A-Beach all its own.
The brand new water park is located at Lagoon - where else - and is the latest addition to the amusement center's attractions, covering 4.5 acres and boasting 550,000 gallons of aquatic excitement.Among the recent grand opening activities was a fashion show staged by J.C. Penney's, with such water-park features as the serpentine slide, lazy river, spouting volcano, castaway island and waterfall cove forming a backdrop for the models. In the spotlight were clothes from Penney's, plus T-shirts, sweat shirts and swimsuits carrying the bright Lagoon-A-Beach logo - togs designed in Salt Lake City by Marty Blundell of Screen Print Designs.
"We thought it would be fun to promote the new water park with our own line of fashions," explains Ron Van Woerden of Lagoon. "We wanted someone who was local to do the job; and Marty, who has produced a lot of colorful and fun active sportswear for various concerns, was our choice."
Lagoon-A-Beach togs for men, women and kids have been promoted and carried by Penney's over the past few weeks, and a variety of in-store events aimed at promoting the water park have been staged.
From now on, the line will be carried exclusively at Rad Brad's Surf Togs at Lagoon. And someday, if sales warrant and the concept goes over well, more outlets - possibly even some in other states - may be added. A wider variety of styles and silhouettes may be included in the line as well.
To be frank, there isn't anything unusual about the silhouettes. These are basic, practical clothes and accessories - the kind of gear everybody needs for summertime activities.
What gives the clothing distinction are the clever silk-screened logo and fanciful motifs. Tie-dyed tops emblazoned with the name of the park, for example. And swimsuits in fun prints. And matching T-shirts and shorts featuring sunny patterns. It's comfortable, wearable stuff; stuff that will never go out of style. And best of all, the sportswear is rugged. It has been specifically designed to handle sun, sand, water and the test of time.
"When Lagoon contacted us about designing the line, we decided that quality should be the most important consideration," Blundell stresses. "We didn't want to produce just throwaway souvenir shirts. I think we've achieved our goal and that makes me proud. Right here in Utah, we've come up with clothes that are as stylish and well made as some of the leading nationally known brands."