July has settled into its familiar rhythm across Utah County. Parks are staying busy late into the evening, farmers markets are filling up again, and city celebrations are beginning to take over the calendar.
There is plenty happening this week, but it also feels like the kind of stretch of summer worth slowing down for. The days are long, the mountains are close, and there are still plenty of reasons to get outside before the season starts moving too quickly.
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This newsletter is brought to you by Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning of Utah County. Thanks to their support, we can keep covering the people, projects, and events that make our community unique.
In today’s edition:
One local story worth knowing about
Quick updates from around the county
A local restaurant spotlight in Provo
Things to do in the week ahead
A few updates you might have missed
The Big Story
Steel Days returns to American Fork for its 81st year
American Fork is preparing for the return of Steel Days, the city's weeklong summer celebration running July 18 through July 25. The 81st edition includes longtime favorites and newer additions, with events ranging from a car show, youth entrepreneur market and opening-night concert to the Huck Finn Fish Grab, art show, carnival, Grand Parade and fireworks.
This year's theme is “Superheroes and Everyday Heroes,” with residents and staff of the Utah State Developmental Center serving as grand marshals. Opening night on July 18 will bring events throughout the day before the Wasatch Show Band performs at Mary and Art Dye Park, followed by opening ceremonies, an America 250 drone show and a hot-air-balloon glow.
For American Fork residents, Steel Days is one of the clearest reminders that growth has not erased the city's longstanding traditions. Thousands of people will move through parks, Main Street and other gathering places during the week, giving longtime residents and newer arrivals a chance to take part in something that has been part of the city for more than eight decades.
Quick Hits
Spectators camp outside Provo courthouse for scarce public seats
People began lining up early and, in some cases, sleeping outside the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo for a chance to attend the preliminary hearing of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Just 14 courtroom seats were reserved for members of the public on a first-come, first-served basis, while the weeklong hearing drew national and international attention. Court officials later prohibited tents and other camping supplies on the courthouse steps as crowds continued gathering before proceedings.
Researchers explain what is blowing in from the Great Salt Lake
A large dust storm that moved through the Salt Lake Valley raised new questions about what becomes airborne as more of the Great Salt Lake's lakebed is exposed. Researchers say the dust contains a mixture of minerals and metals, including several substances identified as potential concerns, while the immediate danger often comes from high concentrations of PM10 particles that can reach the lungs. During the recent storm, researchers said those concentrations climbed to roughly four times the level considered healthy.
New Dry Creek Interchange opens in southern Utah County
Drivers in the Springville and Spanish Fork area now have another connection to I-15 after the new Dry Creek Interchange opened Friday morning. The interchange allows drivers to enter northbound I-15 and exit from both northbound and southbound lanes, although there is currently no entrance to southbound I-15 from Dry Creek Parkway. Construction will continue through the end of 2026, and UDOT says drivers should still expect delays, periodic closures and congestion during busy travel periods.
Restaurant of the Week
Chicken Boy (Provo)
Chicken Boy began as a food truck before opening a permanent restaurant on Canyon Road in Provo. The kitchen focuses on handcrafted fried chicken and house-made sauces, with an entirely gluten-free and dairy-free menu and chicken fried in beef tallow.
The menu includes chicken tenders, nuggets, fried chicken tacos, coleslaw and a rotating selection of sauces. For anyone looking for a straightforward fried chicken stop with a more specialized approach than the usual chain restaurant, Chicken Boy offers something distinctive without overcomplicating it.
Around the Point: Things to Do this Week
The Scarlet Pimpernel
When: July 13 (Monday), 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater, Pleasant Grove
The swashbuckling musical brings romance, danger and secret identities to the stage in a story set during the French Revolution.
Tuesday Trucks and Trivia Night
When: July 14 (Tuesday), 6–8 p.m.
Where: Grove Station, Pleasant Grove
Food trucks and weekly trivia come together for an easygoing Tuesday evening at Grove Station.
Utah Flower Market
When: July 15 (Wednesday), 9 a.m.–noon
Where: Grove Station, Pleasant Grove
Utah flower farmers bring fresh, locally grown blooms to the weekly market, with public shopping available after the morning wholesale period.
Lindon’s Sunset Farmers Market
When: July 16 (Thursday), 5–9 p.m.
Where: Lindon City Center Park, Lindon
More than 60 small businesses gather for an evening market featuring produce, flowers, baked goods, handmade products, food trucks and live music.
Draper Days Concerts
When: July 17 (Friday), 7 p.m.
Where: Draper City Park, Draper
Draper Days brings a free evening of live music to the park as one of the closing-weekend events in the city's annual summer celebration.
Farm and Sky: Star Party
When: July 17 (Friday), 10 p.m.
Where: Wheeler Historic Farm, Murray
Clark Planetarium hosts an evening of stargazing where visitors can explore the night sky and learn more about the stars, planets and other objects visible overhead.
In case you missed it…
Harrington Center fills American Fork’s summer with music
The Harrington Center for the Arts is continuing its free Concerts in the Park series at the American Fork Amphitheater every Monday evening through Aug. 17, with performers ranging from local musicians to country singer Collin Raye, who is scheduled to perform July 27.
Garett Bolles gives back with a free football camp
Denver Broncos tackle and Lehi native Garett Bolles returned to Utah County for a free youth football camp, giving hundreds of young players a chance to work through football drills while hearing his message about resilience, kindness and overcoming difficult circumstances.
Lehi neighbors push for answers over parking problems
Residents in Lehi's Foxhunt neighborhood say nearby businesses have brought growing numbers of employees and visitors onto residential streets, leading neighbors to petition the city and meet with officials as they look for possible solutions.
That’s it for this issue of The Point.
If you spot something interesting, confusing, or very Utah County — a new restaurant, construction mystery, or rumor that needs checking — hit reply. The best tips make it into next week’s issue (with credit, if you want it).
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