Daily Herald July 2019 City Celebrations

JULY 2019

CELEBRATIONS

IN UTAH COUNTY

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FIESTA DAYS

STEEL DAYS

HIGHLAND FLING

ORCHARD DAYS

2 June 30, 2019

Daily Herald City Celebrations 3

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4 June 30, 2019

Table of Contents 5 6 8 9

‘Celebrate Good Times’ at Fiesta Days A boyhood dream turned into the Fiesta Days Pyromusical Relax under the tradition of Steel Days A family tests its ‘metal’ with Steel Days carnival

10 11 12

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 5

Spanish Fork residents ‘Celebrate Good Times’ at the city’s annual Fiesta Days Celebration

BY ARIANNE BROWN

Herald Correspondent

From July 12 to 27, the city of Spanish Fork will hold its annual Fiesta Days celebration.

The festival celebrates the city’s Spanish ties, with its name coming from Spanish friars who visited the area in search of a passageway to the Spanish missions of California in the late 1700s. And with Fiesta Days being held during the statewide July 24th Pioneer Day celebration, Spanish Fork also takes this time to remember its Mormon Pioneer heritage.

This two-week-long celebration is a favorite to many Spanish Fork residents, including Matt Guilbert who is in charge of the festival’s Pyromusical.

“Some of my fondest memories as a child were during Fiesta Days,” said Guilbert who is also a science teacher at Spanish Fork High School.

“I still love it as an adult because it’s like a giant family reunion. I will see people I haven’t seen in 20 years at the Grand Parade and other events. I just love how Fiesta Days brings this community together.”

And with this year’s theme being, “Celebrate Good Times,” many Spanish Fork residents new and old, past and present, will be doing just that, says Scott Aylett, the city’s public information officer.

“I feel that this year’s theme is very fitting because Spanish Fork Fiesta Days is all about celebrating good times with family, friends, neighbors and your fellow Spanish Fork residents,” Aylett said. “It is about celebrating Spanish Fork’s heritage, history, and what makes Spanish Fork City the home of pride and progress. Each Fiesta Days event, from the Grand Parade and Fiesta Days Rodeo to the recreation activities and fireworks, brings people together to create experiences, relationships, and memories worth celebrating.”

Much like a high school or college homecoming game, Fiesta Days is, in a very literal way, a homecoming for Spanish Fork and its residents, both former and current. In fact, many family reunions are held in Spanish Fork around Fiesta Days, with the intent of having the family together to enjoy the festivities.

This year’s events will kick off at 6 p.m. on July 12 with the Pyromusical program that will begin with a musical performance by Ryan Shupe preceding the fireworks. This fireworks show will dazzle your eyes with fire in the sky that is dancing along to a musical soundtrack of epic proportions.

On the Fiesta Days schedule, there are several events, including the Fiesta Days Rodeo at the rodeo grounds and live performances of “Beauty and the Beast” that will showcase local talent. Much more local talent will also be highlighted in the “Spanish Fork’s Got Talent,” talent show.

Athletes and fun-runners alike will lend their legs to the legendary Speedy Spaniard 10K and 1-mile race, followed by the Grand Parade. The city will then pause to observe Pioneer Day during a Fireworks Spectacular on July 24.

There are many more activities throughout Fiesta Days to help residents and visitors celebrate the good times that Spanish Fork has to offer. For a complete schedule, go to http://spanishfork.org.

Fiesta Days CITY

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Rodeo clown Kaisen Harris, 5, looks to the crowd between mutton busters during the first night of the Fiesta Days Rodeo held July 20 at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.

6 June 30, 2019

Spanish Fork resident realizes childhood dream of creating Fiesta Days Pyromusical

BY ARIANNE BROWN

Herald Correspondent

T

here’s something about fireworks that makes children and adults alike stop everything and stare up into the sky in complete wonderment.

Is it the colors, the sounds, the ambiance — all of the above? Fireworks are that celebration in the sky that causes all who have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to feel to come together in a unified feeling of awe.

For one Spanish Fork man, fireworks shows have not only been something he enjoys watching, but also creating each year for the Fiesta Days Pyromusical.

Since he was a child growing up in Spanish Fork, Matt Guilbert loved watching fireworks. Not only did he “ooh” and “ah” at the colorful sparks of fire in the sky, but he wondered how it was done.

“I always liked fireworks as a kid,” Guilbert said. “Many kids love the

sounds, color and the fact that they are explosives. I loved it all. Fireworks were colorful sound explosives that you could control! As a kid, some of my fondest memories were during Fiesta Days, and I remember being 8- or 10-years-old and wanting to do the fireworks for a citywide celebration.”

Guilbert, who is a science teacher at Spanish Fork High School, said that as he grew up, he put his childhood dream aside, and even pushed it off as a silly dream. It all came flooding back to him one day in 2012 when he was introduced to a new way of putting on a fireworks show by some Salt Lake City area pyrotechnicians.

“I was watching a demonstration from some pyrotechnicians in the Salt Lake City area, and I learned how you could program and time fireworks to go off with music,” he said. “After the presentation, I thought, ‘People are doing fireworks all wrong!’”

It was that summer during Fiesta Days when Guilbert decided to put on his own show in front of his house.

The show grew in popularity, making it necessary to move it to Centennial Park, where he was having a few thousand people show up to watch. At this point, Guilbert, who was funding the show completely on his own, was told he needed to get a permit. Along with the financial strain of putting on a show, this was a lot for him to take on, so decided it was time to give it up.

“I loved doing the show, but funding it on a teacher’s salary was too much,” Guilbert said. “When I was about to hang it up, a high school friend of mine, Jason Turner, said that he would help fund some of it and find sponsors.”

Turner did just that, and was able to get sponsors, including a main sponsor, Pacific Horizon Credit Union, to fund the show, and Joe Anderson, of Andersound, to donate sound equipment and time to

make the show possible. The show was eventually moved to the Sports Park to house the now 15,000 viewers. And in 2016, the city of Spanish Fork made the show an official Fiesta Days event, helping Guilbert realize his childhood dream.

“What many people may not realize, is that creating this show is me just having fun,” Guilbert said. “When I’m working on putting the show together, I see songs as color and shapes of fireworks.

A painter has his paintbrush. A musician has his instrument. Fireworks are what I create with.”

The Fiesta Days Pyromusical event will begin at 6 p.m. on June 12 at the Spanish Fork Sports Park soccer fields.

Before the fireworks go off, Ryan Shupe will perform a concert. The pyromusical itself will start at dark and last about 25 minutes.

For more information on the pyromusical and all of the other Fiesta Days events, go to, spanishfork.org.

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 7

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8 June 30, 2019

Steel Days offers something old, something new

BY MICHELLE BARNES

Herald Correspondent

S

teel Days has been known by many names and has changed locations, dates and activities over the years but the celebrations have been going strong since it started sometime about 1865.

In the early days, Steel Days was held in what is now known as Robinson Park, but well over 100 years later, there are so many events that they are held in several locations throughout American Fork, with the big change this year being the carnival moving to Art Dye Park.

Activities and events this year include a baby contest, art show, singing competition, free fitness activities, BBQ competition, tea party, youth dance and several sports competitions.

The events kick off with a garden tour throughout the city. The American Fork Beautification Committee says, “There will be something for every gardener from the ‘wannabe’ and ‘the novice’ to the ‘master gardener.’ Or perhaps you’re just along for a leisurely stroll to behold a moment of magic or to be motivated to explore the possibilities of your own garden. Whatever the reason, feel free to browse through some of the most beautiful gardens American Fork has to offer.

You’ll be surprised as you behold beauty in a small backyard, a spacious vegetable garden, old mixed with new, or perhaps interesting water features.”

Also opening the week of events is a horseshoe, spikeball and kickball tournament for all ages that includes co-ed, men’s, and women’s teams.

The American Fork Fitness Center joins in on the festivities on Tuesday, July 16, offering free activities including a discount swim night, free zumba and free yoga classes. American Fork Fitness Center expressed that the yoga class will be for beginners to the most experienced yogi and will be held in the grass area across from the fitness center parking lot.

On Thursday, the city holds a unique event called “Tea with the Queen,” where Miss American Fork hosts a tea party for mothers and daughters where dressing up in your favorite princess attire is encouraged. At the event a light lunch will be served and every young lady will receive a crown.

Also on Thursday night for youth ages 14-18, the city planned a Youth Street Dance with a free admission, prizes and

ABOVE: Evan Williams, 12, of American Fork, prepares to race in the Steel Days Soap Box Derby on July 19 in American Fork.

EVAN COBB, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

RIGHT: A young girl has her face painted

by Cyd Pacheco during Tea with the Queen on July 13, 2017. The event is part of Steel Days, a city celebration for American Fork.

SAMMY JO HESTER, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

games at Art Dye Park.

On Saturday, a new BBQ competition was added with an option to purchase VIP taste tickets for $15 and sample from the competition categories of chicken, pork ribs, brisket and pork shoulder.

Also on Saturday is the car show, where entrants have the unique opportunity to showcase their cars as they drive up and down Historic Main Street in American Fork.

To end the week on Saturday, the grand parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at 300 W. Main St., followed by the fair and carnival.

The night ends with a concert by Foreign Figures, a band that has shared the stage with the likes of X Ambassadors, American Authors, Smallpools, The Aces and Lukas Graham. After the concert, a large firework show in Art Dye Park ends the Steel Days celebrations for 2019.

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 9

the place to

KRISTIN HEINICHEN, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

Participants of the Steel Days carnival ride the Spin Out in American Fork in July 2010.

Steel Days carnival keeps its roots close to home

BY MICHELLE BARNES

Herald Correspondent

M

any families attend the City of Fun Carnival every year as it travels throughout the state of Utah and also to Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Idaho. But the roots of the family-owned carnival are much closer to home for those who live near and attend Steel Days in American Fork.

In the 1960s, the newly-formed carnival gave American Fork the opportunity to host a celebration that would allow carnivalgoers the opportunity to ride attractions for 15 cents, as opposed to the normal price of 25 cents.

The tradition is still around today, with American Fork Steel Days offering rides for only $1 each, unlike other cities that host the same carnival.

The founder and owner of the carnival, Lou Melendez, resided in Pleasant Grove until his death in 2011, alongside his wife and co-owner, Lois, where the carnival stayed family-owned and operated.

Lou, who worked as a carnival manager after college, started the business with only one ride, a speedway racetrack, that he purchased to make a little extra money on the side. One ride turned into two, and two into three, until the carnival became what it is today with several million dollars’ worth of rides and attractions.

Both Lou and Lois Melendez were heavily involved in the day-to-day operation of the business, even traveling and living in the trailer that parked at each city celebration alongside their carnival rides and employees.

At one point, Lois Melendez, was given what was once called a floss machine, or a cotton candy machine as it is now called, and Lou gave her sticks and sugar. Fortunately, she was taught by a customer how to use it, and she was able to add another aspect of excitement and joy to the carnival.

In addition to living together in the portable trailer, Lou and Lois Melendez also lived with their children, where they would pass down the strong work ethic and give them an exciting life falling asleep to the lights of the carnival during the long season of celebrations.

Their children and grandchildren would eventually manage the family business, fix rides, run food stands and take on various odd jobs to keep the carnival running smoothly. To this day, the family, including third and fourth generations of grandchildren run more than 25 rides and several food and game trailers.

The City of Fun Carnival continues in its traditions of valuing clean family entertainment, stating, “The games on our midway are designed to be fair and honest, with the child in mind and in many cases awarding them a prize for each play, no matter if they win or not. Our games are clean, and designed for entertainment and not gambling or to cheat people out of their money.”

They have been able to maintain that family-friendly atmosphere for more than 60 years now and take it with them to each city as their traveling carnival makes its way from celebration to celebration.

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10 June 30, 2019

Highland Fling celebrates with ‘What a Wonderful World’ theme

BY MCKHELYN JONES

Highland

Herald Correspondent

T

his year’s Highland Fling is celebrating global community with “What a Wonderful World” theme that focuses on culture and community service.

The Fling takes place from July 27 to Aug. 3 and features annual events, as well as a couple of unique events. This year’s celebration begins with a luau and ends with a Beatles tribute band called Imagine, both of which are new this year.

“I’m most excited for Imagine,” said Julie Tapusoa, the Highland City events coordinator. “They will be performing with the newly-formed Highland Orchestra, and we hope the orchestra will continue to perform even after the Fling.”

Annual events are still being held, but some will follow the theme. For example, the baby celebration is encouraging parents to dress their children in international clothing. Also, the annual art show has a special category for internationally themed art.

According to Tapusoa, she has big plans for the stage entertainment this year as well. There are acts such as magicians, Flamenco and Irish dancing, as well as an international food taste test.

Fling

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

“All of the stage entertainment that I’ve scheduled has a cultural feel,” Tapusoa said.

Like the 2018 Fling, this year will also have a heavy focus on service. Instead of local community service, these projects are focused on global community.

Residents are invited to participate in the service projects from Elevita and Days for Girls.

Elevita is a volunteer organization that helps underprivileged artists from countries such as Cambodia, India and the Philippines by selling their art in the U.S. market. Highland residents Keyne and Kirsten Monson founded the organization.

Days for Girls is an organization that helps girls around the world gain access to menstruation products as well as women’s health education. Volunteers put together menstruation kits to send to girls

Dan Thomson, right, of Highland, helps other volunteers load debris into a trailer during a Highland Fling service project Aug. 2 in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief Donald “Kip” Botkin.

so they have access to safe, reusable products. Mary Jean Ridges operates the Highland Days for Girls group out of her home and provides space for volunteers to assemble the kits.

The Fling 5K Fun Run called “Trot for Courage” will also be partnering with Courage Reins, an equestrian rehab that helps children with disabilities, child abuse victims and other struggling youth. The proceeds and benefits from the 5K will benefit the children who are working with Courage Reins.

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 11

Highland Fling to kick off with luau H

Joel Schurtz participates in the tire-lifting competition during the Highland Fling Days Strong Man Competition on Aug. 5, 2016, at Heritage Park. The event featured men and women competing in feats of strength.

BY MCKHELYN JONES

Correspondent

SAMMY JO HESTER, DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

5 events you shouldn’t miss at Highland Fling Luau

For the first year, the Highland Fling will start off with a luau, complete with a fire dancer, meal, music and dance.

The meal includes pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and green salad from Pacific Island Grill for $10.

When: 6:30 p.m., July 27 Where: Heritage Park; 10400 N. Alpine Highway, Highland Cost: $10 per meal, register online by July 20

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match pairs, egg races, musical mats and a $1 race.

When: 2 p.m., Aug. 2 (registration at 1 p.m.)

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Strongman Competition and Highland Games

It wouldn’t be the Highland Fling without the Strongman Competition and Highland Games by Utah Heavy Athletics.

The battle of strength begins Aug. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Heritage Park in Highland and is free for viewers.

Saturday, Aug. 3, the fun will continue with the Utah State Hammer Championship & Highland Games, also at Heritage Park, beginning at 9 a.m. This event is also free and open to the public.

When: 5:30 p.m., Aug. 2; 9 a.m., Aug. 3 Where: Heritage Park, 10400 N. Alpine Highway, Highland Cost: Free for spectators

Head to the Town Center Plaza Splash Pad for the Highland Fling’s annual Kids Night. This year’s theme is all about the animals that inhabit our wonderful world. The event will include a bike race, a rocket launch, and the third annual Cardboard Challenge. Elementary age school kids can submit a creation made from cardboard and other recyclable materials.

The winners of the Bike Race and the Cardboard Challenge will win awards.

When: 6:30 p.m., July 31 (check-in for cardboard challenge is 6 p.m.)

Where: Town Center Splash Pad; 5400 W. Civic Center Drive, Highland Cost: Bike Race, Rocket Building/ Grand Parade Launches & Cardboard Challenge are The theme of this year’s Highland free, face painting and food vendors will Fling Grand Parade is “What a Wonderful be available for purchase.

World.” The parade will run from Highland Elementary School to Heritage Park.

Play Day Rodeo When: 10-11:30 a.m., Aug. 3 The Play Day Rodeo is a long-standWhere: Highland Elementary School ing tradition at the Highland Fling, and (10865 N. 6000 W.) to Heritage Park gives everyone a chance to show off their (10400 N. Alpine Highway) western skills. Contestants can compete For a full calendar of Highland Fling in lead line, stick horse races, barrels, events, visit http://heraldextra.com/ poles, flags, Western horsemanship, citycelebrations.

ighland residents kick off the Highland Fling celebration week with a luau celebrating the diverse cultures of Polynesia July 27.

The luau is being catered by Pacific Island Grill and features traditional dances from countries such as Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand. There will even be a traditional fire dancer performing.

The entertainment portion of the luau is free, but the food costs $10 per plate. Participants are encouraged to reserve their dinner by July 20 so that they are guaranteed food. The dinner will include traditional options such as pulled pork, teriyaki chicken, macaroni salad and more that participants can choose from.

“Luaus are always just really popular,” said Julie Tapusoa, the Highland events coordinator. “With this year’s

theme, it seemed like a natural fit.”

Pacific Generation, a local Polynesian culture group, will be performing traditional dances and music during dinner. “(Pacific Generation) has a school down in Orem … They perform traditional Tahitian, Hawaiian, New Zealand, Samoan, Tongan and Samoan fire dancing,” Tapusoa said.

This is the first time a luau has been held during Highland Fling and is the special event for this year’s Fling.

According to Tapusoa, the city picked the luau because of its popularity and because it fits with the “What a Wonderful World” theme.

“With the theme, it just seemed like a natural fit for us,” Tapusoa said.

“As soon as I started talking about it, our city council members and staff were like, ‘Yeah! A luau! A luau!’ So we are all really excited about that.”

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12 June 30, 2019

Orchard Days: Bringing community together

BY LAURA GILES

Herald Correspondent

O

rchard Days, Santaquin’s yearly celebration, will have multiple traditional events that bring the community together.

This year’s Orchard Days will be from July 27 to August 3.

“It’s a small town feel,” said Amy Johnson, event coordinator. “We’re growing, but we still have that rural feel.”

A popular event that also acts as a fundraiser for a charitable cause is the annual car show, which will be held on Aug. 3. Members of the public are invited to display their hot rods, classic cars and customized vehicles. Raffles for various prizes are always a hit, according to Johnson.

“This year, there will even be a tow trailer,” she said. All proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The car show is one of Orchard Days’ many free events.

On that same day, many activities in the park will be going on, including children’s activities throughout the day, food booths and a boutique. All of these and the car show will be held ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD at Centennial Park, 300 W. 100 South.

Emmie Bollar, 12, of Santaquin, eats a tart cherry during the annual Orchard Days Cherry Pit Spit held Aug. 4 at Rowley’s Family night is another loved event. Food Red Barn in Santaquin.

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 13

trucks, a free movie and a children’s parade are all part of this event, which will be held on July 29 at the rodeo arena, 200 S. 400 West.

“It’s really just a way to come come out and enjoy the community,” Johnson said.

The Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association Rodeo is something that community members, as well as visitors from around the state, come out to see.

“It’s a really fun night,” Johnson said.

Live music is performed before the rodeo begins and fireworks end the event both nights. The rodeo will be held on Aug. 2 and 3.

Something unique held every year during Orchard Days is the Little Buck-a-roo Rodeo, held at 10 a.m.

on July 27 at the rodeo grounds. There are many different competition categories for children to participate, including sheep riding, dummy roping, goat ribbon pull, barrels, goat tying, team roping and bull riding. The top cowboy and cowgirl in each age group will be given a saddle. Those wanting to compete must register before the event on the city’s website.

The Orchard Days Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3 on Main Street. The parade route begins at 400 East and ends at 200 West.

Many other events will comprise Santaquin’s Orchard Days. For more information, check back periodically to the city’s website at https://santaquin.org. More information will be added and updated as the city celebration nears.

ISAAC HALE, DAILY HERALD

Trent Kearl, of Santaquin, watches a ball sail over the outfield fence as he raises a flag to confirm a home run during the men’s division of the Orchard Days Home Run Derby held Aug. 1 at Callaway Field in Santaquin.

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Long-time patriotic citizens named Orchard Days Grand Parade marshals

J

ake and Helen Kester have been named this year’s Santaquin Orchard Days grand marshals.

The couple, who have been married for 53 years, have dedicated — and continue to dedicate — much of their time to honoring veterans and spreading patriotism in the community of Santaquin.

The Kesters met in Germany during the Vietnam War. Jake Kester, who grew up in Santaquin, was serving in the Army and Helen Kester, who grew up in New York City, was working as a recreation director for the Army.

Tasked with the responsibility of keeping the troops off the streets and out of bars, Helen Kester and her group would teach them about European countries and plan entertainment for them, including games, dinners and tours. That is how she met her future husband.

COURTESY KESTER FAMILY

Jake and Helen Kester When they married, Jake asked Helen if she would like to live in Santaquin.

“She always loved horses. I told her if she came to Utah, she would always have a horse,” he said. “We always did.”

Since that time, the Kesters have had three daughters and two grandchildren.

They have also contributed much to the community of Santaquin.

Jake Kester took over his dad’s business, Santaquin Calcite Co., in 1972 and ran it until he retired in 2006.

“When the Santaquin Chamber of Commerce was formed, we became members until we sold the business,” he said. “We contributed yearly to the causes promoted by the chamber.”

Additionally, Jake Kester has been a member of the American Legion since 1972, helping to maintain the veterans’ memorial monument in town and providing veteran funeral rites. “We also perform various other functions to support patriotism,” he said. “After serving in the military for six years, I wanted to continue my service.”

Jake Kester has also served on the Santaquin City Council, headed up a flood control committee in the 1980s, volunteers and is a board member at Santaquin’s Chieftain Museum, where he and his wife have helped to gather photos of veterans for display.

Helen Kester has volunteered for the American Legion’s Auxiliary for many years, helping to raise funds for veter-

ans’ causes and being involved with the Orchard Days parade.

She started the first Girl Scout troop in Santaquin in 1969, served on the city’s first Zoning and Planning Commission and on the first Utah County Fair board. She also came up with the name of the city’s Squash Head Park, named after Chief Squash Head.

Many people have heard Helen Kester sing as she sings the military unit songs for the five branches of the armed forces at every Memorial Day services in Santaquin. She has also helped provide free dinners for veterans each Veterans Day. “My job in the Army was the best thing I could have done in my life,” Helen Kester said. “Without the soldiers serving for our country, there wouldn’t be a country.”

The Kesters said that they are humbled at being chosen as grand marshals.

“We were very surprised,” Jake Kester said.

FRIENDS STAFF

RESIDENTS & RESIDENT FAMILIES MAKE US THE BEST.

I DA

TH E

LY H E R ALD

BEST O F

Thank You

UTAH VALLEY 2019

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CHOICE

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Herald Correspondent

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BY LAURA GILES

AW

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Daily Herald City Celebrations 15

16 June 30, 2019

H T I E K N A B UR AD IU M ST S D AR W ED LL VE LA 9 1 JULY 4, 20

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