What Utah pioneer had 11 wives, 48 children, 270 grandchildren and built a flour mill in West Jordan? His name is Archibald Gardner, and you can't help but think he'd be proud of Gardner Historic Village if he were alive today. Now home to 18 old-time shops, Archibald's Restaurant and the Gardner Mill (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), Gardner Village is located at 1100 W. 7800 South in West Jordan.
The village will host its first annual June Jubilee Friday and Saturday to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Utah.Beginning at 10 a.m. each day, visitors can time travel back to life in a Western village, mountain man territory and the home of American Indians. Gardner Village and the MDA will have pony rides and a petting zoo, karaoke and face painting, not to mention art projects and demonstrations. Admission is a $2 per car donation. Food and tickets for activities will be available throughout Gardner Village.
In the Western town little cowpokes can play games like "ring the cowgirl" and "cowboy boot toss." There will be pony rides, a pie tossing booth and roaming poets and storytellers.
The mountain man village will be host to a hay maze, fish pond, rope bridge, pan-for-gold and canoe-making demonstrations.
Plan on bead making, face painting, lassoing and horseshoe tossing at the American Indian village. And wherever visitors go there will be food and fun until 9 p.m. each day.
A talented lineup of entertainers will appear to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, including magician Paul Brewer, hypnotist Eric Porter, classic rock group The Edjj, the Castleview Dancers and Cloggers, Jay Toups, Cory Mecham, the Sunshine Generation and the Saliva Sisters. Larry Donais will give line dancing instruction; the top-40 dance band Salamanders and cowboy poet Phil Keddington will also perform.
Lyle Cox, program coordinator for the MDA, said, "One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the June Jubilee will go to MDA to help fight the 40 identifiable neuromuscular disorders. Right now we have 100 kids at the Hilton at summer camp," Cox said. The campers, ages 6-21, will be fishing, visiting the Peace Gardens, Liberty Park and the zoo, and enjoying a disco dance and Camp Prom at the State Capitol Rotunda.
There are 2,000 Utah children and adults who suffer from muscular dystrophy. The MDA says that two-thirds of MD patients are actually over the age of 21 but are still proud to be called "Jerry's Kids."
At Gardner Village, owner Nancy Long Christenson is pleased to sponsor the June Jubilee to benefit the MDA because she has muscular dystrophy herself. Gardner Village marketing director Marsha Banks hopes a lot of families will take time for fun and visit the village this weekend. "Because this is the centennial year, these activities will fit right in. Gardner Village is an official Utah Centennial Stamp Site for the Centennial Passport Program," she said. "The passport program encourages Utahns to go out within their state and discover Utah."
Volunteers are needed to help with the June Jubilee at Gardner Village to work in food, ticket and activities booths. Call the MDA of Utah at 278-6200 for more information.