CARNIVAL
Sponsored by Central Bank
Carnival Tickets
Bring the whole family to Art Dye Park for squeals and thrills at the City of Fun Carnival's array of rides, snacks, and activities. Please note that the carnival has a comprehensive plan for sanitation and ensuring social distancing that has been submitted to and approved by the Utah County Health Department.
Increase the family fun by purchasing our 'universal tickets,' called SteelDeal tickets, during the few weeks leading up to the Steel Days celebration. These tickets allow visitors to present one ticket for any ride at the carnival (even if the ride sign says four tickets). SteelDeal tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. THIS YEAR ONLY, the carnival will be open on Wednesday, July 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in addition to the regular hours of Thursday, July 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Increase the family fun by purchasing our 'universal tickets,' called SteelDeal tickets, during the few weeks leading up to the Steel Days celebration. These tickets allow visitors to present one ticket for any ride at the carnival (even if the ride sign says four tickets). SteelDeal tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. THIS YEAR ONLY, the carnival will be open on Wednesday, July 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in addition to the regular hours of Thursday, July 9 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Online Ticket Purchases
SteelDeal tickets may be purchased ONLINE ONLY this year. They will go on sale as soon as we get them until Tuesday, July 7 at 11:59 p.m. The tickets are available in increments of 25 and up to 100 tickets may be purchased per order. Online tickets can be picked up at the City Administration Building on the following business day during regular business hours.
History of the Carnival and American Fork City
Pleasant Grove's Lou Melendez's family owns and operates the City of Fun Carnival, which appears in American Fork every year during Steel Days. People who attend the carnival may not know of its origins, so close to home. In 1968, 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.
American Fork accepted and the carnival is still a part of Steel Days today. At other towns, the carnival offers dollar day on opening day only. The prices have increased according to the expenses, but in American Fork the rides are still one ticket each if purchased as part of the SteelDeal promotion.
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.
Lou's wife, 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 her 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 their 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.
American Fork accepted and the carnival is still a part of Steel Days today. At other towns, the carnival offers dollar day on opening day only. The prices have increased according to the expenses, but in American Fork the rides are still one ticket each if purchased as part of the SteelDeal promotion.
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.
Lou's wife, 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 her 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 their 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.
Art Dye ParkThe Carnival will be held at Art Dye Park (1000 N. 550 E.), American Fork, UT 84003
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