The Moab community will gather Thursday, September 4 at Swanny City Park for the 10th Annual Recovery Day, a free celebration welcoming families and community members of all ages.
This year’s theme, “Unstoppable Together,” marks a decade of growing community support for individuals in recovery and their families.
The milestone anniversary reflects significant changes in how the community approaches recovery and substance use disorders.
“The stigma around recovery and substance use disorders has been decreasing significantly, making it feel safer for more community members to participate,” said the USARA recovery coaching team of Heidi Thompson, Lanette Denton, and Rachelle Nye in an email exchange with the Moab Sun News.
Honoring those lost, celebrating recovery
This year’s celebration combines Recovery Day with Overdose Awareness, creating space to both mourn and celebrate. Community members who have lost loved ones to overdose are invited to bring photos or written memories to share at a special remembrance portion of the event.
“We want to invite anyone who has been affected by an overdose or lost a loved one to bring a photo, story, memory, etc. to share, celebrate and honor them on this special day,” the recovery coaches explained.
The day will feature a mayoral proclamation, live radio broadcasting, open swim, photo booth, free BBQ hot dogs, and prize giveaways donated by local businesses.
A community transformed
Over the past decade, Recovery Day has evolved from a small gathering to a community-wide celebration that bridges service gaps through partnerships. “In recent years, more resources have been present through informational booths, and additional agencies have partnered with USARA to help bridge service gaps,” the team noted.
For the anniversary, organizers emphasize how Moab itself has changed.
“The entire community is evolving and coming together in love and support, recognizing that we have all been affected by substance use disorder in some way,” they shared. “Together, we are embracing and celebrating multiple pathways of recovery.”
Message of hope
The recovery coaches’ message to attendees centers on connection and support: “You are never alone, hope is out there. YOU matter and you are worth reaching out and getting support. We can and do recover together.”
They encourage community members to continue supporting recovery efforts through “compassion, kindness, meeting each other where we’re at without judgment and using person-first language” to break through remaining stigma.
“We’re truly blessed in this small town to have such strong partnerships and community support,” they said. “Showing up for one another and holding events like this strengthens our community as a whole.”
Visit Utah Recovers for recovery resources year-round or contact USARA at (435) 612-2300
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