SALT LAKE CITY — In a city known for its mountain views and quirky charm, few local legends are as beloved — or as mysterious — as Wizard Ten, the bearded wanderer who roams Salt Lake’s parks and neighborhoods dressed like something out of a fantasy novel.
On Friday night, that legend came to life for hundreds of fans who gathered at 9th and 9th for an impromptu meet-and-greet with the self-proclaimed wizard. Some attendees even came in cloaks and capes, eager to meet the man whose presence has become a fixture in places like Liberty Park and Sugar House Park.
“He’s everywhere,” said Charles Ray, a lifelong Salt Lake resident. “If you live here, you know about the wizard.”
The man, the myth, the mystery
Clutching a tall wooden staff draped with handmade necklaces, Wizard Ten greeted fans one by one — offering smiles, conversation, and sometimes riddles. His necklaces, which he sells to passersby, were a hit, ranging from $20 to $60 apiece.
But even after years of sightings, his story remains wrapped in mystery.
“I asked him what his story was,” said Abraham Park of Midvale. “He said, ‘I don’t have a book out.’ Then he told me his father was a time traveler — born in 2008 and died in 2008. I didn’t know what to say. It was… magical.”
Wizard Ten himself describes his fame modestly.
“I always thought of local celebrities being very minor,” he said with a grin. “I guess I’m just a minor local one.”
A Salt Lake legend grows
While his origins remain uncertain, locals say Wizard Ten has become a symbol of Salt Lake City’s creative, whimsical spirit — part street performer, part philosopher, and part myth.
“He’s just part of the fabric of the city now,” said Ray. “You might see him one day selling necklaces, and the next day he’s just walking in the fog like he appeared out of nowhere.”
With Halloween approaching, Wizard Ten hinted that fans might not have to wait long for another encounter. He suggested he may return to 9th and 9th next Friday, possibly for Halloween night — the perfect occasion for a man of mystery.
As one fan put it while leaving the event, “In every city, there’s something that makes it special. Here, it’s the wizard.”
