With one, massive, communal dining table spanning the length of Main Street, Park City’s annual Savor the Summit (June 22, 2019), takes al fresco dining to a whole new level. More than 2,500 people gather in the hub of Old Town—which is closed to vehicular traffic for the night—and enjoy multi-course dinners, cocktails, and live music in a summer celebration, hosted by the Park City Area Restaurant Association (PCARA). “Savor the Summit is a great kick-off to the summer season in Park City, and the excitement and interest has grown every year,” says Ginger Ries, Executive Director of PCARA. “It’s fun to see all the creativity that the restaurants put into it, and it really showcases our local culinary talent.”

To attend, you can either make a reservation with the individual restaurant where you want to dine that evening, grab a cocktail in the open-to-the-public High West Spirit Garden, or simply walk up and down Main Street to check out the event from the sidelines. “The event will sell out—it always does,” Ries says. “I would highly encourage you to make your reservation sooner than later.”

Tips on how to experience this year’s Savor the Summit:

Sold out? Try calling. Many popular restaurants (such as tupelo Park City and High West) sell out within days, but there are still tickets available as of press time for plenty of eateries. Even if your favorite restaurant is sold out, Ries says, call anyway. “It’s still worth checking in directly with those restaurants because they have changes and cancellations all the time,” she says.

Enjoy the less expensive version. Tickets for full meals can be spendy (upwards of $200 per person), so if you’re on a budget or want a more laid-back experience, there are options. Consider Riverhorse Provisions’ Top of Main area—tickets are $75 for unlimited small plates, a DJ, and beer, wine, and seasonally-inspired cocktails from 5–9:30 p.m. Another great option for a casual evening: the High West Spirit Garden at the bottom of Main (separate from the dinner by High West). You can enter for free to buy drinks and listen to live music, or with a $55 VIP ticket, you get three food items from Deer Valley Resort’s Brass Tag restaurant and two drinks (call in advance for VIP 435-901-8895). Ries also suggests Buona Vita or 710 Bodega for a slightly lower price point (both $130 per person not including tax and gratuity).

Dine elsewhere on Main Street. This is a PCARA event, but not every restaurant on Main is participating in Savor the Summit. You can still dine out that evening, or just walk up and down the street to check out the creativity of restaurants and enjoy the vibe of the event. Of note: Bill White Restaurant Group is throwing its own gig, “Savor the Solstice Tour,” a reception-style, party split between two locations, Wahso and Grappa, and featuring eats from Bill White's eight restaurants with drink pairings ($80 per person).

Quick tips

• If you’re visiting, check out the lodging options from Stay Park City for hand-picked accommodations at the lowest rates. A portion of the proceeds go back to the PCARA.

• Bring layers. The event lasts until after 9 p.m. and once the sun goes down on Main, it will get chilly.

• Ride the public transit system when possible, but if you’re driving, park in the Treasure Mountain Junior High lot (2530 Kearns Blvd) and take the shuttle service—which Ries says has been beefed up for 2019. If you’re arriving via Uber or Lyft, the staging area will be in the Wasatch Brew Pub parking lot. Do not park in the residential areas as that is prohibited. Many hotels may offer free shuttles.

Can’t make the Summit? Throughout July, taste the crafty beverages contending for the top title in the ongoing Summer Cocktail Contest. Or line up for the October 12 Park City Shot Ski for another chance to hang out in the middle of Main Street.