American Fork Rocks!

American Fork Rocks!

 

I love living in American Fork.  It has grown and changed a lot since I moved here nearly 20 years ago, but those who grew up here have seen even more changes in there lifetime.  We have everything we could need and are the hub of North Utah County.  There isn't really an impoverished part of American Fork nor is there much of a uppity or pretentious part. It is your typical middle of the road town in the USA.  We have everything you need in town and more commerce than I really care for, but one thing I have always appreciated about this town is how it has maintained a "small town" feel in spite of the growth, commerce and busy-ness. 

 

Affectionately called "AF", it feels like Americana and the citizens here take a little pride of having our nation's nickname as part of their city's name.  We are proud to be American and proud to be from American Fork and we love to celebrate it.  One way we celebrate it is with the annual festival called the "American Fork Steel Days".  AF's annual celebration used to be called AF Timber Days as a result of the timber business that boomed up the American Fork Canyon.  Then in 1904 and until 1926, the city celebrated "Liberty Days" until the festival was changed to "Poultry Days" due to the thriving egg business in town.  In 1945, the "American Fork Steel Days" were born.  The city was a few miles away from the main source of employment back in the day, the Geneva Steel Mill.  As most here worked at the mill, it was a natural name for the town's festival.

 

The festival oozes Americana with several traditions such as the baby contest, the essay competitions, Miss American Fork contest, Art exhibits, the classic car show along with cruising Main Street and burnouts (unfortunately the burnouts are currently banned).  The festival includes a carnival in the park, a big breakfast, outdoor concerts, soap box derby races, parade, movie in the park and ends with "The Big Show" which includes live music and fireworks.  It is a great time to be alive in American Fork, Utah!

 

I love American Fork and the Steel Days are a big reason why.  They represent the tight knit community that is AF and I am proud to call it home.  Below are a few pictures of our involvement, participation and enjoyment of the AF Steel Days...I'm so glad they no longer call them "The Poultry Days"!

 

The day of the soap box derby races was Emerson's Day of Fun with Aunt Sarah so he wanted to see the racing cars.

If you've never been to the Steel Days Car Show, you are missing out.  It is a fun one!

Sarah and Dax checking out the Rat Rods.

 

 

 

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Warning!  We interrupt this blog entry to bring you WAY too many pictures of Leah!

 

Leah is a cheerleader for the American Fork Cavemen!

 

This is her first parade and she was so excited.  She was a bit tired to wake up so early and a bit cold to be outside in the morning, but before she knew it she was awake and warmed up and ready to go!

 

GO CAVEMEN!!!

 

The Little League Cheerleaders were the parade warm up crew. 

 

She was the cutest of them all.

 

Unfortunately, we were camping at the beach when the uniforms were measured so Leah's was a generic uni without the "AF Cavemen" embroidered on it.  Hers will be done in any day now.

 

 

She loves cheer so much and is always doing her best to pay attention to detail.  She's a girlie girl through and through.

 

 

 

Luckily, because she was first in the parade and we were sitting towards the end, she was able to come watch most of the parade with us.

 

We Now Return you to your normally broadcast blog entry.

Mama Tine and Molly (with the boys) came to watch and support Leah in the parade.

 

In the car show, they had a category for "Ugly Trucks".  I was a judge and this is one of the finalists.

Dax loved the parade. 

 

Leah couldn't put the cheering aside and did her best to cheer on each parade participant.

They throw a lot of candy at this parade.  This is what Dax looks like when he gets some candy.

 

This is what he looks like when he missed out on candy.

She's a Daddy's Girl and that makes me happy.

 He's a Momma's boy and that makes Sarah happy.

 

She couldn't stop cheering.

Missed out on candy once more.

Leah and Dax are always happy when their cousins are around to play.

Sarah feels the same way when her Sister and Mom are around.

Cole is super good with Dax.  We didn't have to worry about him running around...too much.

 American Fork's Finest

 

American Fork's and America's Finest.

More of American Fork's Finest

AFHS has one of the best bands in the country...literally.  They are award winning fools!

Still with the cheering.

This ugly truck finalist got my First Place vote.

Waiting for candy

Waving at the Police Officers

The American Fork Steel Days Parade takes place in the shadows of Mt. Timpanogos.

The police ended the parade with high fives for all the kids.  American Fork is a great community and city.  I'm grateful for every person who contributes to it's greatness in every way, both small and grand.  Thanks, Steel Days!  Until next year...