American Fork Heritage and History Pageant

Do you have plans this weekend? Drop them! It's time once again for the annual Heritage and History Pageant at the cemetery, truly one of American Fork's best things.

My out-of-town readers, both of them, will not understand why the event of the year takes place at the cemetery. That's because their cemeteries are not as nice as ours.

Our cemetery itself is a work of art, with its depression-era stone wall, its many fitting memorials, its shady trees and panoramic vistas. This makes it the loveliest of places to pass a summertime evening. The evening is much less a pageant than a social, with many small vignettes staged here and there throughout the cemetery, often staged near the graves of those whom they portray. Guests spend the evening wandering from story to story, pausing now and then to watch craftsmen at work, sample some local ice cream or watermelon, even take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.

Written and produced by our own friends and neighbors, who often portray their own ancestors, the vignettes will educate, entertain, and astonish you with their ability to bring history to life.

Truly, this is one of American Fork's best things. You only get three chances to see it this year, so mark your calendars now for July 31, August 2 or 3. The evening starts at 6 pm and continues until sundown. Bring the whole family!

American Fork Cemetery
26 West 600 North

Web page here: American Fork Cemetery
Sneak preview here: Don't Forget to Check Out My Hat!

The Steele Days Are Here!

July is a fine time to live in American Fork. Everybody loves Steel Days -- unless, of course, you're Mark Steele, and then you prefer Steele Days.

Mark likes many other things about American Fork, too. Today I'm reprinting his "bucket list" which he posted on Facebook. Thanks to Mark for reminding us about all there is to love in American Fork!

1. On Memorial Day, place flowers on a relative, friend, or veteran's grave in the AF cemetery.
2. Have onion rings from Parkers and a shake from JCW's.
3. Attend a field day at Shelley or another elementary school.
4. Attend an AF High School marching band performance.
5. Wander through the antiques at the Star Mill.
6. Run or walk the Halloween 5k.
7. Watch a movie at the sticky shoe. (Towne Cinema, not so sticky anymore.)
8. Try your hand at the funky diamond exchange at Main Street and I-15.
9. Attend a City Council meeting.
10. Attend a summer concert at the amphitheater.
11. Watch the Steele Days parade in July.
12. Go to the freaky carnival during Steele Days.
13. Do at least one other Steele Days event.
14. Attend a community youth sporting event and watch the parents and kids. Soccer, baseball, Hilltop Aquatic Club, flag football.
15. Take some laps on the Rec Center track and in the lazy river.
16. Hike up to Timpanogos Caves, in American Fork Canyon.
17. Ride in or behind a boat out of the American Fork Harbor at Utah Lake.
18. Ring the bell in the Old City Hall. (assuming that's legal...)
19. Check out a book from the AF Library.
20. Attend the historical vignettes in late July in the cemetery.
21. Camp out in American Fork Canyon.
22. Attend your precinct caucus meeting.
23. Attend any meeting in the Alpine Tabernacle and in the Presbyterian Church.
24. Shop Wal-mart at midnight.
25. Attend an open house at M.L. Bigelow & Co. Organ Builders.
26. Attend a community theater event.
27. Bring gifts and a smile to residents at the Heritage Care Center AND The Developmental Center.
28. Tour Twin Labs.
29. Walk the grounds of the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple at sunrise.
30. Play a round of golf at Fox Hollow.
31. Get a copy of Historical Buildings in AF and visit all of the venues.
32. Attend an AF Symphony production.
33. Volunteer at the AF Hospital.
34. Walk the new AF River Trail and Art Dye trails
35. Walk both sides of Downtown Main street.

*Council Member Shirl LeBaron also contributed to this list. Thanks, Shirl!