My favorite TV series, cancelled now for many years, was Gilmore Girls. Most of the lessons I learned about living and life I learned from Gilmore Girls (that's a joke.....sort of). One of the things I liked the most, besides the almost unhealthy, yet familiar, relationship between the main character and her daughter, was the relationship between everyone who lived in this small town. Everyone knew everyone and were involved in one another's lives. If there was any kind of a holiday or town event, the residents came out in force and participated with great enthusiasm. It was idyllic, I dreamed that such a place existed somewhere, but alas, I was sure it was just a dream. But, no, enter Fountain Green, Utah and the Lamb Days celebration. According to the souvenir T shirts we purchased, this celebration has been happening since 1932. For two days, this normally quiet, sleepy town comes alive with hundreds of people all there to excitedly take part in the celebration commemorating their greatest industry....sheep ranching. This beautiful little town is comfortably nestled in a green valley surrounded by soaring mountains covered in velvety green pastures. Signs of the once prolific sheep ranching industry are seen everywhere. Well kept, if empty, barns and fenced pastures decorate almost every yard. Sheep camp wagons can be seen parked, cherished, next to beautiful homes. Friday night the main square was packed with people. Some who lived there, but many who came there drawn by their roots in the community. There were vendors selling their wares, A long line formed for the meal of grilled mutton chops and corn on the cob, The folks minding the food lines were generous with the mutton and it tasted delicious. A few blocks away, the men of the community were digging pits and lining them with rocks to be heated to sizzling temperatures. Once heated, they hung several lambs on racks in the two pits and covered them and buried them in the ground to slow cook over night, We encountered people Dave hadn't seen for years. They beamed their hellos and grabbed him in warm embraces, slapping him on the back. After dinner we gathered at his family home where we sat in the cool evening air on the back patio and laughed and chatted with his parents, brother and sisters and his children. All of his children traveled to attend this festival. After a good night's sleep in the cool comfort of his childhood bedroom, we were up early for the community breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, ham, bananas, oranges and once again, crowds of people all sharing fond memories and good food. Breakfast was followed by a parade down the main street, Chairs were set up early to save a place. By 10 a.m. the streets were filled with people of all ages. Music blared from the announcer's pavilion. Flags flew from the houses and few businesses on the main street. The sun was hot. A man and his son walked by selling peas in the pod from a little wagon. I bought two bags and relished them greedily as the anticipation for the parade heightened. Before long Old Glory passed by and we all stood and placed our hands over our hearts. Pride swelled for the great country that we live in. Veterans of long forgotten wars passed by and the audience cheered them as the heroes they were. Following the veterans was the history of the sheep camp wagon. Pulled by ancient tractors were the luxurious camps used by the sheep herders. If you've never seen a sheep camp wagon, you are really missing out. These wagons, historically pulled by horses to the high range, rival any modern day RV. They had comfortable beds, stoves, ice boxes and storage everywhere. They have big wheels to carry them over rough terrain. Each wagon sported its manufacture date, manufacturer and most important, its owner's name displayed with pride. There were beautiful girls on horses adorned with wings. Each of the neighboring small towns had a float showcasing the beauties from their towns in the form of their town royalty. The occupants of every display that passed by threw taffy and candy. Children rushed into the streets to gather up the treats, As the parade ended, the people dispersed back to the town square for the local talent show while we waited with watering mouths for the lamb sandwiches that would be the product of the lambs cooking in the pits. A watermelon eating contest ensued with Dave's son, Calvin, taking home the prize. People started to form lines to buy the lamb sandwich delicacies in quantities from 1 to 25. We bought four and I wish we had bought more. They were stacked thick with the delectable meat and each bite was mouth watering and delicious. After lunch the young, and some of the young at heart, formed teams for a baseball tournament. It was a serious game for sure as Dave's son, Mike, took a hard ball to the head leaving an honorable bruise on his forehead. Ball games over, stomachs full of delicious foods, laughter filled conversations with long lost friends and family, sun has set and the fireworks are on. Those two days of the Lamb Days celebration in Fountain Green, Utah were the quin sentential representation of what people's dreams and Hollywood producers try to recreate. Yes, small town America is definitely alive and well....at least in the secret places in Utah. However, one word of warning. If you ever get the chance to experience this fabulous event, don't drink the wheat beer!
