By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

It was a full house as the Wellington City Council convened on Wednesday, Nov. 12. During this meeting, the city gave its support to the “A Bolder Way Forward Initiative” and learned more details about the new music festival slated to come to Carbon County in 2026.

In September, the Carbon County Commission became a Boulder Way Forward county, with Wellington being the first city to follow suit.

Spearheading the organization in Carbon County are StacyAnn Maxwell, Brenda Addley, Shara Sumnall and Christina Pay, all of whom were present at the meeting.

“The reason we are here today is to declare Wellington a ‘Bolder Way Forward’ city,” explained Maxwell. “This opens the door for collaboration and for us to keep working on. What women in our community need.”

The group also sought to have November declared as “A Bolder Way Forward” month in the city.

Utah has a storied history of advancing and protecting women’s rights. In 1870, Utah granted women the right to vote. This was later revoked in 1887 by congressional action. This right was reinstated in 1896, when Utah became a state, and was enshrined in the state constitution, granting women the right to vote and hold office.

Reading from the proclamation, Addley, alongside the other women present, asked the council to “recognize the importance of supporting a bolder way forward to strengthen opportunities for women and girls in Utah” and “Utilize the research and policy guidance provided by a Bolder Way Forward to inform decisions that elevate women in Utah.”

Following these remarks, the council moved unanimously to become a ‘Bolder Way Forward’ city.

Moving forward, Ashley Yakovich presented on behalf of the Friends of Wellington, a new organization seeking to bring more volunteers to the city. “Wellington is important to us, and we missed some of the things that used to go on. So we’re hoping that we can build that unity, build that support and make Wellington the place we remember,” shared Yakovich.

The council expressed support and agreed to take the necessary steps to partner with the organization on future projects.

More information on the Friends of Wellington is available online here.

The council closed out the meeting by previewing a planned music festival coming to Carbon County in 2026 titled “Rock and Coal.” Mayor Jack Clark explained that this would be a three-day festival, tentatively beginning on June 11, 2026, and running for three days at venues across the county. It would also unite local music staples such as Culture Connection and Helper Saturday Vibes.

Clark also previewed some potential venues, including a proposed show at Nine-Mile Canyon.

An official announcement of the festival is expected in March 2026.