What unites Americans? The United States of America, a vast nation of many regional cultures, is showing signs of coming apart at the seams. So, sensing that my county was becoming more divided, I was inspired to search for what ties us together. I started documenting the way Americans celebrate.
All across America, communities celebrate their shared histories and customs with annual, traditional events. Whether it be a parade, carnival or fair, these festivities bring together neighbors of all backgrounds. The small-town affairs rarely make the national news, but they’re incredibly important to their communities.
Part of our division today can be attributed to one historical fact: Our original colonies were created by charters, settled by people from distinct groups with their own sets of political, religious and cultural beliefs. Each of these founding cultures had its own set of cherished values. What has held our country together, despite its regional divides, was often the illusion that America represented something more than just a country, it was an ideal.
These events pay tribute to regional differences while honoring the idea, however flawed, of what comprises the essence of American culture. Our national collective mythologies are on full display at these events. Cowboys crop up far from any real cattle ranges. Iconography of the Founding Fathers is claimed by people on both aisles of the political spectrum.
In true American tradition, competition is essential. The belief that the best rise to the top is deeply tied to hope in our society—even if it just means having a shot at winning best pie or queen of the fair.
Yet, these events offer a sense of pride. In many small towns, residents look forward to the county fair or annual parade all year. I was initially inspired to start this project by seeing how much our family friends, who run the dairy farm that once belonged to my father’s family, anticipate their local fair each year.
In documenting these events my goal is to, at a time of extreme division, show Americans coming together and visualize how our regional differences meld with shared American national symbols and mythology.
