Fiesta Days is a celebration for the Spanish Fork community but it is also a celebration of family according to residents who were randomly interviewed recently.

To many Spanish Fork residents, it’s a time when relatives return home to visit family and spend time together. 

There were also individual tastes to account for when choosing favorite events. Here are their answers.

Favorite events

Question: What is your favorite Fiesta Days event?

Answers:

“The rodeo is my favorite, just because I like to watch the bull riding and the bronc riding,” said Nick Baird.

“I really like watching how some of the horses can jump and do some tricks. I like watching parades and catching candy. That’s fun,” said 5-year-old Eliza Baird.

“We like them all. We like going to the parade, that’s their favorite; and then the carnival and the kids’ parade and the activities we do there. The fish rodeo, I was going to say that too. I don’t do it, but my kids do. They have fun with it. It’s their favorite activity,” said Crystal August.

“We are going to the rodeo for the first time this year. We are so excited,” said Jessica Mcshinsky.

“My favorite Fiesta Day activity? I kind of like the whole thing, but my favorite time is Children’s Day in the Park and to see families get together and have family time. I like the small town feel and seeing families get together and that strong relationship that they need,” said Kathy Tibbs, a Fiesta Days volunteer.

“I’m a country boy. I love to go to rodeo when I can,” said Stephen Tibbs, a Fiesta Days volunteer.

“All of them. I love them all. You start at the beginning and then you go to the very end, there is nothing like Fiesta Days,” said Richard Davis, Spanish Fork council member liaison for the Fiesta Days Committee.

Recommended activities

A city celebration says something about a community and Fiesta Days is no different. The annual Fiesta Days shares Spanish Fork history, brings family and friends together, exhibits local talent and skills.

While many people definitely were planning on participating in their favorite events, their favorites were not necessarily what they would recommend to first-time visitors.

Would visitors enjoy catching a 12-inch fish with their bare hands, or would they rather relax in the City Park and enjoy a concert, or how about browsing the sidewalk sale?

Whether you prefer a quilt exhibit or a rodeo, there is a variety provided to make choosing difficult.

Question: What day or events would you recommend to first-time visitors for Fiesta Days?

This question brought more thought to those responding and the parade, the carnival, park festivities and the rodeo were the top recommended events for newcomers.

“For first timers, the best day, if they only had a day or two to spend, would be July 24,” Mcshinsky said.

“Also go the parade and we love the Speedy Spaniard after that,” she said.

For newcomers, Stephen Tibbs said he would recommend the parade, the rodeo and the children’s activities.