Before we get started…
Half the valley is out of town in July, which means the people still here are bored and waiting for someone to make a plan. That someone is you. You do not need a reason or a special occasion, you just need to send the text or make the phone call.
With that, let’s get into some date ideas for this week!
FIVE DATES FOR THIS WEEK
Race Paper Boats Down the River
Image source: Nano Banana, featuring Zach
Outdoors · Free
In my opinion, this is the simplest date on the list and somehow one of the most entertaining. Fold a few paper boats at home or at the river (there are tons of online tutorials you could follow), then head to any stretch of the Provo River. Drop your boats at the same line, walk them downstream, and see whose survives the rapids. Bring extra paper for more races, and just incase your “indestructible” boat turns out to be not-the-strongest of the fleet. Loser buys swig on the way home.
How to ask: “I have a very specific plan involving paper boats and the Provo River. Trust me and come on this date with me.”
Featured Single: Get Your Own Card
We’ll feature you as a single in an upcoming issue, using your photo and a few lines about you, so other readers can reach out and ask you out, all for $5. Think a one-person profile card that goes to the whole list instead of doom scrolling on Mutual.
How it works:
(1) Venmo $5 to me, @hamiltonpr,
(2) reply to this email with a photo, your first name, age, year and major, what you are looking for, and how you want people to reach you.
Take Her to a Bees Game
Image source: Nano Banana
Sports · $25-40
The Salt Lake Bees are home this week at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, about 35 minutes up I-15. They play Reno Friday through Sunday and Omaha on Tuesday and Wednesday, so there is a game for whatever night works. Tickets start around $12 and the cheap outfield seats are the fun ones anyway. Get a hot dog and have a great night. Baseball is slow (I think so anyways), which is the whole point, you’d actually get to talk between innings.
How to ask: “Bees game this week, cheap seats and a hot dog. Come heckle the other team with me.”
Whatever Floats Your Boat
Image source: Nano Banana
Water · $100+ (usually $500+) / boat
Deer Creek Island Resort rents pontoons right off the beach at Deer Creek Reservoir, 30 minutes up Provo Canyon with Mt. Timpanogos sitting behind the whole lake. A pontoon runs north of $100 an hour and holds six to ten, plus a park entry fee at the gate, so this is the one you split with a second couple (or maybe 5 other couples) instead of paying for alone. Book the boat online ahead of time because summer Saturdays fill up. Pack a cooler, take turns driving, and anchor in a quiet cove when you actually want to talk. It is a splurge, so make it the date that means something.
How to ask: “Getting a boat at Deer Creek Saturday with another couple. You are my plus-one, obviously.”
Here is one we overheard this week. A guy finally asks a girl out, and she says yes.
But then she follows it with this:
Well, you and my dad have the same name, so I feel a little weird about this.
Putt Up or Shut Up
Image source: Nano Banana
Creative · Free
Build a mini-golf course through your apartment using whatever you already own. Cardboard boxes become tunnels, stacked books become ramps, red cups on their sides become holes, and a broom handle works fine if nobody has a real putter. Nine holes is the sweet spot, each one a different obstacle, and the design half is genuinely more fun than the playing half. Keep score on the fridge and make the loser build the course next time.
How to ask: “Building a mini-golf course through my apartment tonight. Bring your competitive side and maybe a putter.”
Guest Star in our Next Edition
Send us a selfie and you could be a person in next week’s date pictures. We drop you right into the scene using AI, so you and a friend can go looking for yourselves in the photos.
Baking Competition
Image source: Nano Banana
Cooking · Under $20
Each of you makes one thing from scratch on the same night, same kitchen, same timer. Cookies against brownies, bread against cinnamon rolls, whatever you can pull off in the time you plan. Grab a go-to recipe to riff on, set a hard time limit, and drag in a roommate as the neutral judge so it does not end in a tie. The competition makes it so you both try harder than you would alone, and you both end the night with something to eat. Whoever loses does the dishes.
How to ask: “Bake-off at my place Thursday. My cookies against your best effort. Neutral judge, no mercy.”
Advertise With Us
Want to put your business in front of hundreds of students in Utah Valley who are looking for somewhere to go or something to do? Reply to this email and let’s talk.
UPCOMING DATE OPPORTUNITIES
BONUS EVENTS
Wednesday July 15: Outdoor Movie: Zootopia 2
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 S 400 E, Orem · Dusk · ~$5
How to ask: “Zootopia 2 on the big outdoor screen tonight. I’ll bring the blanket, you bring the snacks.”
Through Saturday July 18: Matilda the Musical
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem · 8:00 pm · Tickets from ~$10
How to ask: “Matilda under the stars at the SCERA Shell before it closes this weekend. Come with me?”
Monday July 20: Kings Return in Concert
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem · 8:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “There’s an a cappella group at the SCERA Shell Monday. Bring a blanket and we’ll sit on the grass.”
Wednesday July 22: The String Cheese Incident
Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City · 7:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “Outdoor concert at Red Butte Garden Wednesday. It’s a drive, but it’s the good kind of night out.”
Thursday July 23: Riley Green
Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, West Valley City · 7:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “Riley Green in West Valley Thursday. Wear boots, it’s that kind of show.”
Wednesday July 29: Alabama Shakes
Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City · 7:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “Alabama Shakes at Red Butte next Wednesday. Grass seats, sunset, done deal.”
Saturday July 25: Provo Farmers Market
Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St, Provo · 9:00 am – 2:00 pm · Free
How to ask: “Provo Farmers Market Saturday morning. We go at 10, you pick what we eat.”
Just reply to this email!
From the Editor
Thanks for reading!
Its going to be another great week. I believe in you to put yourself out there and find someone you really like.
—Paige Hamilton, editor
Until next time,
— Two Tacos & a Hike