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In-Person Concert Planned In Kaysville Despite State Health Orders

Photo illustration of an outdoor concert
TopVectors via iStock
A group of small business owners in Utah plans to host the "first American live concert" since the coronavirus outbreak in Kaysville on May 30. "

Most of Utah has moved to the yellow, low-risk level of the state’s coronavirus recovery plan, and some people are beginning to think about large scale events. 

“Utah Business Revival” is a group of small business owners urging the state to reopen the economy. They plan to host the “first American live concert” since the coronavirus outbreak in Kaysville on May 30. 

Country singer, Collin Raye, will perform at the event, and there will be 85 different vendor booths set up for local, non-essential businesses, according to the Facebook post

Anywhere from 600 to 800 people are expected to show up to the concert, but the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan caps group gatherings at 50 people unless they have formal oversight. 

The concert’s hosts have applied for permits through Kaysville. The city’s police Chief, Sol Oberg, said the police department does not have any plans to put a stop to the event.

“Even if they don't get the permits, I think we have an issue of constitutionality that we need to look at too,” said Oberg. “Part of our job as law enforcement is to protect people's constitutional rights.”

Oberg said the group who plans to put on the concert has had other events and there have not been any problems with law enforcement. 

Kaysville Mayor Katie Witt said the event hosts are trying to create a template for other places to safely throw an event. 

Witt said the event will be from 3-10 p.m. and the hosts are encouraging people to space out when they arrive and there will be enough space between the vendor booths to allow for social distancing. 

Witt said people have a right to freely assemble. 

“We, as elected officials, should be rushing to restore these rights to our citizens,” she said.” I think if we just wait till it’s safe, we have no rights.”

Jessica Lowell is KUER’s news intern. Follow her on Twitter @Jess_Lowell

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