For nearly 150 years, the people of American Fork have been finding reasons to celebrate. The parties began with the Timber Days of the late 1800s and evolved to Liberty Days and Poultry Days before finally, in 1945, becoming the Steel Days Celebration that is on the horizon in American Fork today.

Steel Days was originally named to honor the growing steel industry of the area, but now serves largely as an opportunity for community members to gather together and celebrate their talents, heritage and country.

“I believe that it creates unity and a sense of community,” said American Fork City Councilman Brad Frost, who will be conducting the welcome event and opening ceremonies for Steel Days. “It allows people to display their talents and it attracts a wide range of people.”

Steel Days this year is set to include a car show and cruise, a carnival, an art show and quilt show, a community run and even a grand parade. The festivities will conclude on July 20 with the “Big Show,” including a fireworks display and a performance by the Little River Band, a popular folk rock group straight from Australia.

Closer to home, though, and full of equally talented individuals is the concert agenda for the Steel Days Opening Ceremonies, which will include the posting of colors, pledge and taps by the National Guard, followed by a star-spangled spectacular presented by the American Fork Symphony.

Entitled “Salute to America,” the American Fork Symphony, under the direction of Shauna Smith, will share its talent for music by presenting a patriotic concert celebrating freedom and the greatness of America. According to Frost, the symphony is a prime example of individuals in the community who are willing to use their talents to touch the lives of others.

“In terms of the symphony, I think to myself, ‘What a great place to be able to continue to use talents that you probably learned and practiced first as a child,’ ” he said. “As they’ve grown older they’ve been able to continue playing these instruments  — it’s wonderful and the community loves it. … We’d like to invite everybody, not only in our own community but also in surrounding communities, to attend the event and be a part of a great celebration.”

Among the songs selected to represent the “Salute to America” in the symphony’s celebratory concert will be patriotic numbers such as “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillip Sousa, “Armed Forces Salute” and “American Salute” by Morton Gould, as well as favorites of American entertainment such as a medley of Gershwin music, Broadway “pops” favorites and tunes from the “Star Wars” film, “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Smith served as director for both the American Fork High School and Junior High School orchestras before switching to private musical instruction and conducting the symphony, and said she definitely lets her students influcence the music she selects for the group’s concerts.

“Every time I’ve done a concert I try to do at least one movie theme for kids,” Smith said, referencing the “Star Wars” music on her very patriotic agenda. “Because I teach high school kids, they’re always telling me what movie scores they want us to play, and I get inspiration from what my kids have told me — it’s just fun music that kids want to hear, and sometimes it’s the first time the kids have heard an orchestra. They hear what it does and get excited to play an instrument and be a part of it.”

Smith began conducting and teaching music in public schools in 1998, and said one of the most rewarding things about her position with the symphony is the opportunity she gets to see kids she’s taught in the past come back to the community and continue to pursue music.

“Some of students I taught, who started when they were in fifth, sixth and seventh grade, have now graduated from college and are performing with the symphony,” she said. “To see where they started and where they are now with their ability has been such a blessing.”

According to Smith, all of the 75 to 90 active members of the symphony are talented musicians who are willing to sacrifice their time to share their abilities with those around them.

“A lot of these people have other jobs and are prominent in their field of work, but they just want to contribute and enjoy playing music,” Smith said. “It gives them the chance to keep their instruments up, play good music and help in the community. As a conductor, I’ve had a chance to really get to know a lot more people than when I was just playing in violin section, and I appreciate all of their commitment. They have really busy schedules but take the time to do this not only for themselves but for community.”

According to Smith, symphony members perform in five concerts a year, sacrificing about 12 to 16 hours of Saturday mornings per concert to be ready to play.

“Music is just a passion we all have,” Smith said in regard to the volunteer efforts of the symphony. “I just think it’s an essential part of who we are and being human. If we can create beauty through music, then everybody benefits.”

The symphony’s concert at the Opening Ceremonies of Steel Days is becoming a tradition, and certainly something that everyone can enjoy.

“This is one big event that kids and families can enjoy together, and that’s kind of what this community is all about — a sense of family, community and patriotism,” she said.