2026 CARNIVAL
* PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE COMPLETING YOUR PURCHASE *
Get Your SteelDeal Carnival Tickets! Resident Discount Window Opens June 7
For more than 20 years, Steel Days has offered carnival tickets at just $1.00 per ride, one of the best values anywhere in Utah. Due to increased costs for carnival operations, this will be the first ticket price adjustment in two decades. Even with this change, Steel Days will continue to offer residents one of the most affordable carnival experiences in the state.
Here’s What to Know:
Resident Discount Pricing
June 7 – June 20 (Online Only - Link to purchase tickets will go live on June 7th)
American Fork residents can purchase carnival tickets at a special discounted rate of $1.50 per ticket. (Each ticket is good for one carnival ride.) Tickets purchased during this time will be available for pick-up beginning June 21.
Standard Ticket Pricing
Beginning June 21
All pre-sale carnival tickets will be $2.00 per ticket, whether purchased online or in person.
Locations where you can purchase tickets in-person will be announced soon.
Don’t Miss the Resident Savings Window! This early purchase period is the best way for residents to lock in the lowest price available. We encourage families to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity and plan ahead for another great Steel Days celebration. Steel Days remains committed to keeping the carnival fun, safe, and affordable for our community.
For more than 20 years, Steel Days has offered carnival tickets at just $1.00 per ride, one of the best values anywhere in Utah. Due to increased costs for carnival operations, this will be the first ticket price adjustment in two decades. Even with this change, Steel Days will continue to offer residents one of the most affordable carnival experiences in the state.
Here’s What to Know:
Resident Discount Pricing
June 7 – June 20 (Online Only - Link to purchase tickets will go live on June 7th)
American Fork residents can purchase carnival tickets at a special discounted rate of $1.50 per ticket. (Each ticket is good for one carnival ride.) Tickets purchased during this time will be available for pick-up beginning June 21.
Standard Ticket Pricing
Beginning June 21
All pre-sale carnival tickets will be $2.00 per ticket, whether purchased online or in person.
Locations where you can purchase tickets in-person will be announced soon.
Don’t Miss the Resident Savings Window! This early purchase period is the best way for residents to lock in the lowest price available. We encourage families to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity and plan ahead for another great Steel Days celebration. Steel Days remains committed to keeping the carnival fun, safe, and affordable for our community.
Bring the whole family to Art Dye Park (1000 N. 550 E.) for squeals and thrills at an American Fork favorite, the City of Fun Carnival, and enjoy an array of rides, snacks, and activities!
Carnival Hours
Wednesday, July 22: 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 23: 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Increase the family fun by purchasing 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 more than one ticket). SteelDeal tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Carnival Hours
Wednesday, July 22: 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 23: 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 25: 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Increase the family fun by purchasing 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 more than one ticket). SteelDeal tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.
Online Carnival Ticket Purchases
SteelDeal tickets may be purchased online for $1.50 per ticket for residents of American Fork online only from June 7 through the June 20 and for $2.00 for everyone from Sunday, June 21 until Wednesday, July 22 at 6:00 p.m. (or until sold out). The tickets are available in increments of 25 and up to 200 tickets may be purchased per order. Online ticket purchases must be picked up at Historic City Hall (31 N. Church St.) and will be available on the following business day after purchase (excluding holidays) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. beginning Monday, June 22 and must be picked up by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24. Please allow 24 hours (and at least one business day) for processing and fulfillment before picking up online ticket orders.
In-Person Carnival Ticket Purchases
You can purchase SteelDeal tickets for $2.00 per ticket at any of the businesses listed below from Monday, June 22 to Wednesday July 22 at 6:00 p.m. (or until sold out). No checks or credit cards will be accepted at the retail locations - CASH ONLY.
Retail locations will be announced shortly.
Retail locations will be announced shortly.
History of the Carnival and American Fork City
The 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 only require 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 only require 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 Mary & Art Dye Park (1000 N. 550 E.), American Fork, UT 84003
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