American Fork, UT ~ Essence of Americana

I love American Fork.  American Fork is a decent sized city that has nearly maximized it's boundaries.  It is home to about 30K citizens, so that isn't really a small township, but it isn't a big city either.  It provides all many of the niceties of larger cities such as restaurants, shopping centers, offices and industrial parks, but it has managed to stay true to it's more humble grassroots of a small town in North Utah County.  This is what I like best about it.  I have access to everything I need, but I still feel like it's a small town.  It feels like home to me and I plan on dying here, but hopefully not too soon. 

 

One thing I love about many of the cities in Utah is that they each have their own Summer festival.  If you plan your calendar accordingly, you can hit a rodeo every weekend and get your fill of carnival rides and deep fried food at one of the many festivals. Some of these festivals make sense, such as Steel Days in American Fork, The Freedom Festival in Provo or The Days of 47 in Salt Lake City.  Others?  Not so much...When have salmon every contributed to the history or economic viability of Payson?!  Never, but they still love to celebrate with the Salmon Bake every year.  I guess their Onion Days makes more sense...assuming they once grew and harvested onions there at some time. 

 

Steel Days is a nod to the past wherein many in the Northern Utah area were employed and commuted to the steel mills every day.  The steel mills were the backbone of the county and thus, very appreciated.  It only made sense to name the Summer festival in American Fork after it and Steel Days was born.  It wasn't always called Steel Days, but as long as I've been here it has.  There was that one year when  they tried to change the name to "American Fork's America Days"...it never took hold.  But many other traditions took hold and maintain their hold on Steel Days.  Traditions like the Patriotic Essay or Art contests, the soapbox derby races, the American Fork Symphony at the open air amphitheater, the car show and ugly truck contest, the carnival (this is the carnival used in the film "Sandlot", the AFHS marching band breakfast, the 5K, the picnic in the park, outdoor movie, the Grand Parade, the Big Show and Fireworks.  All of these events help to give AF the small town feel I have come to love. 

 

The last two years, we have enjoyed the Grand Parade a bit more since Leah has participated as an American Fork Cavemen Cheerleader.  We missed the soapbox derby race and Big Show this year and the fireworks too as a result of somebody not knowing how to use a calendar.  But we did hit the carnival this year, which is something we typically avoid.  We had a blast, as usual, and here are the pics to prove it.  :) 

 

Leah blowing us a pre-parade kiss.

Leah and some of her cheer mates.

Dax is always happy to go to the Grand Parade.  They throw lots of candy and
such and he gets all jacked up on sugar. 

A nice addition to the tradition is the Reed cousins joining us at the parade.
These cousins love each other and try to support one another in their sports
teams and other endeavors.  They are here to cheer on their favorite AF
cheerleader (and get candy).

The love and support for the police and fire departments is a sight for sore eyes
that are sick of seeing all the crap on TV showing the opposite. 

Grandma likes to get in on the parade action too.  Here she is helping Dax get candy.

Daddy and Daxxy.

"Hey Mister!  Got any candy?"

There is no shortage of patriotism and national pride in American Fork.

Here come the cheerleaders.  Leah is on the front of that trailer.

I was a little bummed that they only rode behind the truck this year.  Last year
they all got off the truck and did a routine that was awesome.

After the cheerleaders finished the parade, Leah raced back to catch the rest of
it (and some candy)!

Leah loves and appreciates the support of her Grandma and Gramma Gramma
who both live so close. 

Leah tried her best to swing that hammer and win a bigger prize.  Tough order.

The Ferris Wheel seems to take you to the top of American Fork.  This isn't too hard to do.
There are not many tall buildings in AF.  It does lift right through the trees though. 

A family that spins together, stays together.

Above the trees.

I think Dax enjoyed himself.

Don't look down!  You'll see my bald spot!

Leah and I had a fun time. 

Leah was a great big Sister as she went on all the boring rides with Dax. 
We let her squeeze in a few daredevil rides in return. 



Leah loved this tilt a whirl.  She is so brave. 

We love living in American Fork and we love Steel Days.  If you're ever around here in July, look us up.  We'd  love to introduce you to our little slice of Americana.  Until next year....