SPONSORED BY ALTABANK
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The 2025 Steel Days Magazine is available online! Look for your copy of the magazine in your mailbox by July 5.
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History of Steel Days
This year, we celebrate 80 years since the first Steel Days celebration! For over 150 years the city of American Fork has gathered together to celebrate its history, achievements, business community, and residents. This annual celebration is now known as Steel Days, but throughout the years the festivities have also been called Timber Day, Liberty Day, and Poultry Day.
TIMBER DAY
Timber Day was an all-day picnic with music, entertainment, and games. It began around 1865 and was held in a grove of trees known as “The Timbers.” Families brought food prepared especially for the occasion, laid it out, and shared it with others. There were activities for young and old, with a horseshoe competition, foot races, and ball games. Timber Day was observed until approximately 1904.
LIBERTY DAY
Liberty Day had no set date but alternated between July 4 and July 24 to mark the nation's birth date along with the residents' pioneer heritage. The picnic in the park continued in Central Park, which is now known as Robinson Park. There was an organized parade with decorated flatbed horse-drawn wagons. When automobiles were introduced, they were decorated and driven from one end of Main Street to the other. Until 1910, the city's roads were dirt and gravel, increasing the challenges of such travels.
There was usually a theme chosen for each year's celebration. In 1925, it honored the various states of the United States. There was a baseball game, dance, and fireworks. The tradition of shooting off a cannon from the cemetery hill early in the morning marked the start of the day's events.
POULTRY DAY
In July 1927, Poultry Day began with a modest celebration. It was expanded in 1928 with a town banquet instead of the previous picnic. There was also a parade, ball game, races, carnival, and a program and dance. Mary Pulley was the first Poultry Day Queen. During the banquet, a server spilled a pot of hot chocolate in Mary's lap. She simply wiped it up and went on with the day.
The Sunrise Salute, or firing the cannon, continued at daybreak. There was a free lunch with 10,000 chicken sandwiches served. There was a flower show, art show, and an all-day movie showing at the Cameo Theater.
There were no celebrations held during the years of the Depression. Poultry Day was held in July 1941, but with the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, all American Fork celebrations were eliminated during the war, with the exception of a small neighborhood party in 1944.
STEEL DAYS
Since 1945, Steel Days has been American Fork's traditional celebration. Then-mayor O. De Vere Wootton decided Poultry Day no longer reflected the city's economy. The newly constructed Columbia Steel Mill brought many newcomers, who made an impact on housing, utilities, traffic, and commerce. The mill became the largest employer in Utah Valley. Two individuals suggested “Steel Day” after a request for ideas for a name for the celebration. Steel Day was selected and was celebrated on Labor Day.
In 1946, Steel Day was a full day of events, similar to Poultry Day. The American Fork Chamber of Commerce was also established that year and was involved in the planning of the Steel Day events. The parade featured numerous floats decorated for and by local businesses. Bands came from Tooele, Salt Lake City, Nephi, Payson, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, and Provo. The parade was presented twice for many years - at 10:00 a.m. from 500 West Main Street to 500 East, and then at 6:00 p.m. when the route was reversed.
The duration of Steel Days expanded from one day to three days, then four and five days, and eventually to ten days. Currently, Steel Days runs for eight days and includes over 30 events.
Vehicles were also an important part of Steel Days history. In 1961, the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) held a drawing for a Ford Falcon. However, it did not prove to be enough of a draw and there was a $1,500 deficit after the ticket sales were tallied. The next year, the car was a sporty Thunderbird and ticket sales increased dramatically. The evening program featured a singing group from Ogden, "The Osmond Brothers,” complete with Donny, who even then stole the show.
In 1963, the city used a smaller approach, calling it “Community Day.” It included a pet and hobby show and a short evening program with fireworks. Despite its success, there was no celebration in 1964 or 1965. Civic clubs apparently did not want to take over managing the celebration. There were, however, abbreviated queen pageants held.
In 1966, a new committee was formed, and it was again a larger celebration that was now held in July. They also resumed using the Steel Days name. In the late 1960s, the American Fork Boat Harbor was developed, and boat racing was added to the list of events, and the "City of Fun" Carnival made its Steel Days debut in 1968.
The festivities remained mostly the same for the next several decades, with several of the events being part of the festivities every year and others being added or eliminated. In 2003, events marking the city's 150th birthday were incorporated into the celebration, even though they were held earlier in the summer.
Since 2018, the American Fork Chamber of Commerce has proudly managed and operated the beloved Steel Days celebration in partnership with American Fork City. Over the years, it has grown tremendously, with exciting additions like the Kickball and Golf Tournaments (2018), Kids Splash Night and Pickleball Tournament (2019), and a new home for the carnival at Mary and Art Dye Park. In 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Steel Days' 75th anniversary was celebrated by bringing the parade directly to the people with a 23-mile route through the city, a first in American Fork history.
Each year has brought new traditions and community favorites, from the return of the Variety Show as American Fork's Got Talent (2021) to events like the Cornhole Tournament, Teen Pool Party (2022), and the introduction of a stunning Drone Show, Mario Kart Tournament, and extended parade route (2023). In 2024, the schedule was expanded to include two Saturdays and brought back the crowd-favorite Burnout Contest. This year, the Pickleball Glowdown has been added and the Drone Show festivities have been expanded to be even bigger and better than ever. Whether you’ve celebrated Steel Days for years or are joining us for the first time, we invite you to come enjoy the fun, connect with neighbors, and make lasting memories with us!
TIMBER DAY
Timber Day was an all-day picnic with music, entertainment, and games. It began around 1865 and was held in a grove of trees known as “The Timbers.” Families brought food prepared especially for the occasion, laid it out, and shared it with others. There were activities for young and old, with a horseshoe competition, foot races, and ball games. Timber Day was observed until approximately 1904.
LIBERTY DAY
Liberty Day had no set date but alternated between July 4 and July 24 to mark the nation's birth date along with the residents' pioneer heritage. The picnic in the park continued in Central Park, which is now known as Robinson Park. There was an organized parade with decorated flatbed horse-drawn wagons. When automobiles were introduced, they were decorated and driven from one end of Main Street to the other. Until 1910, the city's roads were dirt and gravel, increasing the challenges of such travels.
There was usually a theme chosen for each year's celebration. In 1925, it honored the various states of the United States. There was a baseball game, dance, and fireworks. The tradition of shooting off a cannon from the cemetery hill early in the morning marked the start of the day's events.
POULTRY DAY
In July 1927, Poultry Day began with a modest celebration. It was expanded in 1928 with a town banquet instead of the previous picnic. There was also a parade, ball game, races, carnival, and a program and dance. Mary Pulley was the first Poultry Day Queen. During the banquet, a server spilled a pot of hot chocolate in Mary's lap. She simply wiped it up and went on with the day.
The Sunrise Salute, or firing the cannon, continued at daybreak. There was a free lunch with 10,000 chicken sandwiches served. There was a flower show, art show, and an all-day movie showing at the Cameo Theater.
There were no celebrations held during the years of the Depression. Poultry Day was held in July 1941, but with the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, all American Fork celebrations were eliminated during the war, with the exception of a small neighborhood party in 1944.
STEEL DAYS
Since 1945, Steel Days has been American Fork's traditional celebration. Then-mayor O. De Vere Wootton decided Poultry Day no longer reflected the city's economy. The newly constructed Columbia Steel Mill brought many newcomers, who made an impact on housing, utilities, traffic, and commerce. The mill became the largest employer in Utah Valley. Two individuals suggested “Steel Day” after a request for ideas for a name for the celebration. Steel Day was selected and was celebrated on Labor Day.
In 1946, Steel Day was a full day of events, similar to Poultry Day. The American Fork Chamber of Commerce was also established that year and was involved in the planning of the Steel Day events. The parade featured numerous floats decorated for and by local businesses. Bands came from Tooele, Salt Lake City, Nephi, Payson, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, and Provo. The parade was presented twice for many years - at 10:00 a.m. from 500 West Main Street to 500 East, and then at 6:00 p.m. when the route was reversed.
The duration of Steel Days expanded from one day to three days, then four and five days, and eventually to ten days. Currently, Steel Days runs for eight days and includes over 30 events.
Vehicles were also an important part of Steel Days history. In 1961, the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) held a drawing for a Ford Falcon. However, it did not prove to be enough of a draw and there was a $1,500 deficit after the ticket sales were tallied. The next year, the car was a sporty Thunderbird and ticket sales increased dramatically. The evening program featured a singing group from Ogden, "The Osmond Brothers,” complete with Donny, who even then stole the show.
In 1963, the city used a smaller approach, calling it “Community Day.” It included a pet and hobby show and a short evening program with fireworks. Despite its success, there was no celebration in 1964 or 1965. Civic clubs apparently did not want to take over managing the celebration. There were, however, abbreviated queen pageants held.
In 1966, a new committee was formed, and it was again a larger celebration that was now held in July. They also resumed using the Steel Days name. In the late 1960s, the American Fork Boat Harbor was developed, and boat racing was added to the list of events, and the "City of Fun" Carnival made its Steel Days debut in 1968.
The festivities remained mostly the same for the next several decades, with several of the events being part of the festivities every year and others being added or eliminated. In 2003, events marking the city's 150th birthday were incorporated into the celebration, even though they were held earlier in the summer.
Since 2018, the American Fork Chamber of Commerce has proudly managed and operated the beloved Steel Days celebration in partnership with American Fork City. Over the years, it has grown tremendously, with exciting additions like the Kickball and Golf Tournaments (2018), Kids Splash Night and Pickleball Tournament (2019), and a new home for the carnival at Mary and Art Dye Park. In 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, Steel Days' 75th anniversary was celebrated by bringing the parade directly to the people with a 23-mile route through the city, a first in American Fork history.
Each year has brought new traditions and community favorites, from the return of the Variety Show as American Fork's Got Talent (2021) to events like the Cornhole Tournament, Teen Pool Party (2022), and the introduction of a stunning Drone Show, Mario Kart Tournament, and extended parade route (2023). In 2024, the schedule was expanded to include two Saturdays and brought back the crowd-favorite Burnout Contest. This year, the Pickleball Glowdown has been added and the Drone Show festivities have been expanded to be even bigger and better than ever. Whether you’ve celebrated Steel Days for years or are joining us for the first time, we invite you to come enjoy the fun, connect with neighbors, and make lasting memories with us!