Carnival
Bring the whole family to Robinson Park for squeals and thrills at the City of Fun Carnival's array of rides, snacks and activities.
We sell 'universal tickets,' called SteelDeal tickets, a few weeks in advance of the Steel Days celebration, that allow visitors to present one ticket for any ride at the carnival (even if the ride sign says 4 tickets). The carnival will be open on Thursday, July 6th from Noon - 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 7th from 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 8th from 10:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m.
You can purchase SteelDeal tickets at any of the businesses listed below on June 19th - July 5th at 5 PM:
History of the Carnival and American Fork City
Pleasant Grove's Lou Melendez family has owned and operated the City of Fun Carnival, which appears in American Fork during Steel Days. People who attend the carnival may not know of its origins, so close to home. In the 1960s, they had an empty week in their schedule and approached American Fork, proposing a celebration in which the city would sell the tickets for 15 cents instead of the going rate of 25 cents. All rides would take one ticket per ride all three days of the carnival's run.
At other towns, the carnival offers dollar day on opening day only. American Fork accepted and the carnival is still a part of Steel Days. The prices have increased according to the expenses, but the rides are still one ticket each.
In the early days cotton candy was 15 cents, popcorn was a dime and drinks were a nickel. The carnival started in 1959 with two rides, the Wild Mouse and the Junior Speedway. Elvis Presley and Natalie Wood once rode the family's Wild Mouse. Their first merry-go-round was a Hershall Spellman 3 abreast. The horses arrived in crates and had to be assembled before they were put on the ride.
Lois Melendez was given her first floss machine at a Fourth of July celebration in Murray, Utah. Lou set the machine on a crate, gave her sticks and sugar and told her to figure it out. Luckily, a customer offered to show her how to spin sugar and in no time she was spinning three machines at a time. Lois and their daughter Pam also learned to drive the big rigs. Lois had an article about her in a trucker's magazine. She drove until she was in her 70s and Pam is still driving, pulling the HazMats and doubles.
Lou Melendez had back surgery in 2008 and was hospitalized for three months. He did therapy and worked hard to get back on his feet and he was back on the road the following fall.
The family recently purchased a new FireBall and a couple of tractors. They run 19 trucks, with three sets of doubles, and have six pickups with 10 trailers. They have three bunk units and a shower truck. Their game concessions are run by Dennis Ewell Concessions and food is handled by Dream Catchers Cafe. Their sweet wagons are family owned and operated.
Pam serves as general manager of the carnival. Lou and Lois's daughter Teresa does the candy apples, and son Brad maintains the shops and does repairs. Lou and Lois have eight grandchildren. Bradley, Jr. travels and does repairs on the road, welding and electrical work.
We sell 'universal tickets,' called SteelDeal tickets, a few weeks in advance of the Steel Days celebration, that allow visitors to present one ticket for any ride at the carnival (even if the ride sign says 4 tickets). The carnival will be open on Thursday, July 6th from Noon - 10:30 p.m., Friday, July 7th from 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 8th from 10:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m.
You can purchase SteelDeal tickets at any of the businesses listed below on June 19th - July 5th at 5 PM:
- Alpine Lock and Safe (67 W. Main St.)
- American Fork City Administration Building (51 E. Main St.)
- American Fork Library (64 S. 100 E.)
- Central Bank (175 E. Main St.)
- Durfey's Dry Cleaners (266 W. Main St.)
- Fresh Market (135 E. Main St.)
- Hart's Gas & Food (585 E. State St.)
- Humphries Inc. (38 E. Main St.)
- Taylor Drug (76 N. 1100 E.)
- Utah Community Credit Union (196 N. West State)
History of the Carnival and American Fork City
Pleasant Grove's Lou Melendez family has owned and operated the City of Fun Carnival, which appears in American Fork during Steel Days. People who attend the carnival may not know of its origins, so close to home. In the 1960s, they had an empty week in their schedule and approached American Fork, proposing a celebration in which the city would sell the tickets for 15 cents instead of the going rate of 25 cents. All rides would take one ticket per ride all three days of the carnival's run.
At other towns, the carnival offers dollar day on opening day only. American Fork accepted and the carnival is still a part of Steel Days. The prices have increased according to the expenses, but the rides are still one ticket each.
In the early days cotton candy was 15 cents, popcorn was a dime and drinks were a nickel. The carnival started in 1959 with two rides, the Wild Mouse and the Junior Speedway. Elvis Presley and Natalie Wood once rode the family's Wild Mouse. Their first merry-go-round was a Hershall Spellman 3 abreast. The horses arrived in crates and had to be assembled before they were put on the ride.
Lois Melendez was given her first floss machine at a Fourth of July celebration in Murray, Utah. Lou set the machine on a crate, gave her sticks and sugar and told her to figure it out. Luckily, a customer offered to show her how to spin sugar and in no time she was spinning three machines at a time. Lois and their daughter Pam also learned to drive the big rigs. Lois had an article about her in a trucker's magazine. She drove until she was in her 70s and Pam is still driving, pulling the HazMats and doubles.
Lou Melendez had back surgery in 2008 and was hospitalized for three months. He did therapy and worked hard to get back on his feet and he was back on the road the following fall.
The family recently purchased a new FireBall and a couple of tractors. They run 19 trucks, with three sets of doubles, and have six pickups with 10 trailers. They have three bunk units and a shower truck. Their game concessions are run by Dennis Ewell Concessions and food is handled by Dream Catchers Cafe. Their sweet wagons are family owned and operated.
Pam serves as general manager of the carnival. Lou and Lois's daughter Teresa does the candy apples, and son Brad maintains the shops and does repairs. Lou and Lois have eight grandchildren. Bradley, Jr. travels and does repairs on the road, welding and electrical work.
City of American Fork Administrative Offices51 E. Main St.
American Fork, UT 84003 The Carnival will be held directly across the street at Robinson Park, located at 100 E. Main St., American Fork, UT 84003 |
