Pedro Vargas helps disassemble a ferris wheel along with other workers as the City of Fun Carnival tears down after Freedom Days held Friday, July 5, 2019, in downtown Provo. “This job is not for everybody,” said Pam Zoeller, general manager and vice president of City of Fun Carnival, based out of Pleasant Grove in Utah County. “It’s a hard life to live, and it takes a special kind of person to do it.”
August was a personal whirlwind.
Besides the typical craziness of work, this past month I went on two short out-of-state vacations and moved from Midvale to Orem to live with my partner and be closer to work. The time off was much needed. I went to Arizona and Los Angeles, visiting friends and family while experiencing new things along the way. However, the trips made work pile up much more when I returned to Provo.
Most notably, early in August a project about a local carnival published after working on it for two months. Sadly, I think projects are going to become much leaner in photos now that prep sports and school has started back up, but I hope to continue to squeeze out some longer-term work. Check out more from that project here: provodh.com/dmppd.
Besides juggling projects, August was all about quick-hit assignments. I typically had about three assignments a day (oftentimes one after another) so I had to do my best to make the best photos I could with the little time I had. When I couldn't cover all the bases of all the newspaper's sections, I dived out assignments to freelancers where I could, and kept educating the reporters on improving their own photography.
Chris Roundy, left, holds his daughter Sanowah, 3, both of Nephi, while they go down a slide beside Chris Willard as he holds his daughter Mikartee, 2, both of Ogden, at the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi. Through five generations of family ownership and more than 50 years in business, the carnival travels approximately 7,000 miles a year through Utah, Arizona, Idaho and New Mexico.
Jesus Sanchez winds up a ride's support beam as the City of Fun Carnival prepares for Pleasant Grove's Strawberry Days celebration Monday, June 17, 2019, at Downtown Park in Pleasant Grove. Carnivals always have to pay rent for the land they use during celebrations, and when attendance is low or inclement weather strikes, its the carnival that takes the financial hit. Whoever we’re doing the celebration with always gets paid,” said Zoeller. “We don’t always end up at the end of the week with money.”
Daylin Bonilla, 2, holds onto her older sister Ashley, 7, both of Ephraim, as they go up, down and around on a ride at the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi. According to the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, an estimated 500 million attendees visit carnivals, fairs and festivals across the United States annually.
Manuel Quintero watches while fellow workers disassemble a ride as the City of Fun Carnival tears down after Freedom Days held Friday, July 5, 2019, in downtown Provo. “My midway manager and this crew that we have here can get this all down, loaded on the trucks and ready to pull out in about five hours,” said Zoeller. She explained that rides can cost her anywhere from $200,000 to $900,000 for a single attraction.
Carnival-goers wait in lines for rides as other attendees swing above the crowd during American Fork's Steel Days celebration Friday, July 19, 2019, at Art Dye Park. City of Fun was featured in the carnival scene of the 1993 coming-of-age comedy film, “The Sandlot.” The carnival scene was filmed in American Fork, and other Utah locations were featured as well.
Colton Young, of Nephi, reacts as he grabs an inflatable banana he won in a game for his friend's daughter, Hayzlee Smith, 3, at the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi.
A family makes their way toward the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi.
Workers secure track for a roller-coaster as the City of Fun Carnival prepares for Pleasant Grove's Strawberry Days celebration Monday, June 17, 2019, at Downtown Park in Pleasant Grove. Crucial to keep the carnival running is the H-2B Program, which sends Zoeller about 25 workers from Mexico each year. H-2B is a federal program that allows employers to temporarily hire non-immigrants to do non-agricultural labor or services in the United States, as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor.
A carnival-goer walks toward rides during American Fork's Steel Days celebration Friday, July 19, 2019, at Art Dye Park. City of Fun Carnival owns 22 rides.
Katyln Brough, of St. George, spins about on a ride with her sons Mazdin and Tayden Brimhall at the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi. The carnival is full of family, both literal and honorary. Of the approximately 65 employees, 10 are directly related to general manager Pam Zoeller, spanning from her mother to her granddaughters.
Carnival workers joke with each other as they turn in for the night after working at the City of Fun Carnival during the Ute Stampede Rodeo held Friday, July 12, 2019, at the Juab County Fairgrounds in Nephi. In the case of back-to-back carnivals, employees begin work around noon, teardown from midnight until about 5 a.m., and then go to a new spot to begin setting up the carnival once again for another event. The written story from this Monday Close-Up can be seen here: provodh.com/dmppd
Sego lead vocalist Spencer Petersen sails above the crowd on an inflatable slice of pizza as he performs with the rest of the band during the third show of the final season for the Provo Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, in downtown Provo.
Brigham Young University junior offensive lineman Tristen Hoge poses for a portrait during the football program’s photo day Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at BYU’s Indoor Practice Facility in Provo.
From left, Brigham Young University wide receivers senior Aleva Hifo, senior Talon Shumway and sophomore Gunner Romney pose for a portrait during the football program’s photo day Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at BYU’s Indoor Practice Facility in Provo.
Brigham Young University sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson poses for a portrait during the football program’s photo day Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at BYU’s Indoor Practice Facility in Provo.
Shawn Whitaker, with the Provo Parks and Recreation Department, tests out a Spin electric scooter during the launch of Provo’s e-scooter program Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, near the intersection of 700 North and 200 East in Provo.
Tod Spencer searches for a movie disc a customer purchased Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at Larsen Video in Springville. Tod’s father, Leon Larsen, and late mother, Carolyn, co-founded the movie store in 1987, and it will be totally closed by September 12. Larsen stated that the business is the last movie-rental store in Utah County.
Ryan Bartholomew, 15, of Highland, slides through a puddle during Alpine Days’ Foam Party held Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, at Creekside Park.
Kyle Gay, assistant conductor of the Payson City Band, poses for a portrait Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, at his home in Payson. Gay, 56, has been a lifelong fan of the band, and began helping conduct it about five years ago.
From left, Lehi High School specialist Dane Henderson and advocates Kellie Jo Jones and Angie Lantz react as balloons drop from the ceiling during the finale of Alpine School District’s Shine Alpine employee institute Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.
Lead vocalist Aubrey Auclair performs with The Rubies during the third show of the final season for the Provo Rooftop Concert Series held Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, in downtown Provo.
Gordon Kelley, 4, of Spanish Fork, works on crafts with his family as part of a program Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in the program room of the Spanish Fork Library.
Brigham Young University President Kevin J Worthen poses for a portrait in his office Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at BYU in Provo.
Clifford Rice, of Spanish Fork, sports a Brigham Young University and University of Utah hat before BYU football’s season-opener against local rival the University of Utah on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. He graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree, and the U of U with a master’s degree.
Brigham Young University defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea (55) gestures to the crowd as he and his teammates take the field just before a game between the BYU Cougars and the University of Utah Utes held Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Kyle Nelson, of Alpine, reacts after the University of Utah caught an interception during a game between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the University of Utah Utes held Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.