Increased safety protocols planned for this year’s WestFest celebration

WEST VALLEY CITY — City officials in West Valley said they’re committed to ensuring a safe, fun and welcoming environment for this year’s WestFest.

The message follows a harrowing incident during last year’s festival, where police said a teenage boy, 16 at the time, allegedly shot and killed three people — including an 8-month-old baby after opening fire into a crowd on June 15, 2025, which was the final night of WestFest, the city’s annual celebration commemorating its founding.

Two others were also injured during the tragic occurrence.

Right after last year’s shooting at WestFest, West Valley City police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku told reporters that what happened was “not our West Valley City.”

She offered a similar sentiment in a statement to KSL on Tuesday, ahead of the kickoff for WestFest 2026 on Wednesday.

“Last year’s tragedy at WestFest had real impact. We understand why some may have concerns, and we have taken meaningful action to address those concerns throughout the planning of this year’s event,” she wrote.

With the unfortunate events from 2025 likely still on the minds of community members, especially those who were there as the incident unfolded, organizers and city officials have announced a slew of changes and increased safety measures that they hope will help the public feel a bit at ease in attending.

“We appreciate the community’s feedback about safety and security at WestFest and are committed to making this year’s event safe and welcoming for everyone. In response to those concerns, we have worked closely with our public safety partners to review procedures, strengthen planning, and implement a comprehensive safety plan for this year’s festival and carnival,” a statement from city officials reads.

A few notable changes to WestFest include the omission of Sunday activities and adjustments to the carnival and festival schedules.

Vainuku said city officials and police worked to strengthen safety planning by enhancing coordination with public safety partners, providing additional training and implementing proactive measures to identify and address concerning behavior.

“WestFest has always been a place for people to come together, and that remains true today. Our commitment is to make this year’s event welcoming, well-prepared, and centered on the safety of everyone attending,” she said.

City officials recently shared a full list of safety measures for WestFest 2026:

• Enhanced coordination with police, fire and emergency response teams.
• Increased public safety presence throughout the event grounds.
• Additional training for staff and event personnel.
• Proactive monitoring and response to concerning behavior.
• Strengthened event safety and emergency preparedness planning.
• Improved communication between event organizers and public safety agencies.
• Ongoing review and refinement of safety procedures.
• Continued commitment to providing a safe, welcoming environment for all attendees.

In addition, the city has adjusted the schedule for WestFest 2026, as follows:

• New event days: WestFest will run Wednesday, June 17, through Saturday, June 20. There will be no events or activities on Sunday.
• The carnival will open on Wednesday, June 17, and close with the festival on Saturday, June 20.
• The festival will open on Thursday, June 18.
• The carnival will close at 10 PM each day.
• On Saturday, June 20, the festival and carnival will open at 1 p.m.

WestFest, which commemorates the establishment of West Valley City, recognizes the various cultures represented throughout the city, according to the event’s website. The four-day event takes place at Centennial Park, at 5405 W. 3100 South.

“WestFest belongs to our community, and we’re committed to keeping it that way,” Vainuku added.