Tucked away in the heart of Cache Valley, something remarkable happens every weekday at noon during the summer months. As the sun begins to warm the streets of Logan in late spring, a gathering of devoted and dedicated people reverently gathers at the newly-renovated and refurbished Logan Tabernacle. The Logan Tabernacle Interfaith Concert and Lecture series, now entering its third season under the dedicated leadership of Carol Foht (a retired realtor from Iowa) and sponsored by Cache Community Connections, is far more than a collection of musical performances—it’s a testament to the power of community, connection, and shared faith.
From Outsider to Community Pillar
When Carol and her husband moved from Iowa to Providence, Utah, over a decade ago, they were stepping into unfamiliar territory. Coming from a predominantly Catholic background and settling in an area deeply influenced by Latter-day Saint culture, Carol was unsure of what kind of reception they might receive.
“My daughter was a bit worried,” Carol recounts with a smile, “She said, ‘Mom, most everyone here is Mormon.’ But I told her, ‘I’m not worried.’”
That lack of worry proved prescient. What began as simple friendships developed through greeting at church or volunteering blossomed into a mission of bridge-building. “I didn’t even know the concerts at the tabernacle were open to the public at first,” she says. “I thought you had to be LDS. I realized I wasn’t alone in that assumption. So I wanted to change it.”
52 Concerts, Countless Connections
In 2023, Carol officially took the reins of the concert series, which spans from Memorial Day to the end of July. Held Monday through Friday at noon—plus a handful of special evening events—the series showcases more than 50 performances annually, and last year alone welcomed over 11,000 attendees. From choirs and soloists to inspirational speakers and interfaith prayers, the events are woven with a rich tapestry of voices, values, and beliefs.
Each performance begins with a prayer—often from someone in the audience, whose faith background may be unknown.
“I just ask,” Carol says.
“I want everyone to feel they belong.”
This simple act, repeated across weeks and performances, gently affirms the concerts’ core message: everyone has a place here.
An Interfaith Embrace
What sets this series apart is its explicit commitment to interfaith inclusion.
“It’s not just LDS or just Catholic or any single tradition,” Carol notes. “We’ve had Catholic priests, Presbyterian pastors, Latter-day Saint members, and people from no formal tradition at all offer prayers and greetings. It’s about community.”
This openness extends to the lineup itself. While the majority of performers hail from the local area, a few are invited from across Utah to diversify the experience.
Carol is also careful to maintain a high artistic standard—audition videos are required for new acts, and thoughtful curation ensures audiences receive the “best of the best.”
And yet, talent alone isn’t the only criteria.
“We also want light,” Carol says, referencing a trio of inspirational speakers invited this year. Among them are Jenny Taylor, widow of Major Brent Taylor, whose talk centers on resilience and public service; Heather Vanboerum, who lost both legs in a tragic accident but radiates gratitude and courage; and Jake Horvath, who rode three mustangs across the U.S. to bring attention to wild horses and personal resolve.
“These [events with speakers] aren’t concerts, per se,” Carol explains. “But they lift the spirit, and that’s the goal.”
Building Community Beyond Music
The concerts are free and open to everyone—a point Carol emphasizes often. “It’s not just for summer citizens,” she says, referring to the seasonal visitors from Arizona and beyond who flock to Cache Valley for its cooler climate and cultural offerings. “It’s for the entire community.”
To increase visibility, Carol and her team worked with the local transit system to display bright, colorful advertisements on buses. Thanks to fortuitous scheduling, many of those ads hit the streets weeks early—and have already begun drawing interest.
Behind the scenes, support comes from the RAPS (Recreation, Arts, Parks, and Zoo) tax fund. “That’s our main funding,” Carol notes. “And I’m grateful, because it allows us to do something special here.”
Giving and Receiving
For Carol, this work is deeply personal. Her back surgery in 2022 limited her ability to travel, but opened up time to serve locally. “Some people say, ‘I bet that’s a thankless job.’ But it’s not. It’s full of thanks. I get to meet amazing people, and I’ve really grown roots here.”
There are stories she holds close: A 94-year-old entrepreneur who still goes to work daily and will be this year’s keynote speaker at a special “Keep Your Heart Young” event. A summer citizen who handcrafted a unique cooking apron with towel attachments as a thank-you gift. Others who return each year, tears in their eyes on the last day, already counting the days until next season.
More Than Music
In the end, these concerts are more than a schedule of events—they’re a living expression of unity, inclusion, and joy. They are sacred, not because of the venue or the tradition they represent, but because of the people who show up and the love that’s shared.
“We always have a good crowd,” Carol says. “But more than numbers, it’s about the feeling. You see people smile, relax, connect. That’s what matters. And it only works if people come.”
So as the end of May approaches and the first chords ring out across Cache Valley, one thing is clear: this is more than music.
It’s a movement.
And EVERYONE is invited.
