Rage Against the Machine has come and gone with none of the horrors or disasters many people feared.
But some residents here say the alternative rock/rap band caused more excitement than this southern Utah County town has ever seen.Traffic was heavier than the 24th of July, traditionally the biggest celebration of the year, said Ira Jones, who lives on Main Street near the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, where the band performed Wednesday night.
Many residents sat on their porches and watched the hordes of young people walk past on their way to the concert, but most stayed inside.
It was a festive atmosphere, but some residents considered it more of a freak show.
R. Jenkins sat on her porch with her neighbors and watched as young people wearing long chains and bright red and green spiked hair streamed past. She compared the hairstyles to a rooster's comb. Some were half-dressed, she said. A few sported multiple earrings, lip rings, nose rings, even tongue rings - fashion statements residents here don't often see.
At least one concertgoer asked if he could use her bathroom. He couldn't.
At a nearby home, one fan didn't ask. He just walked up to the corner of the house and urinated, said Connie Jones. She said she asked him to stop - her 9-year-old daughter was nearby - but he swore at her. Jones then followed him to the corner and reported the incident to police.
"They gave him a disorderly conduct ticket," she said. "This is Spanish Fork. We have bathrooms."
But despite that incident, Jones admitted that most of the fans were polite as they came by. "They stopped to talk and pet the dog."
"Spanish Fork overreacted," added Ira Jones, referring to the residents who tried to get the city to cancel the concert.
But others had different opinions.
"The worst is yet to come," said N. Jackson, standing near the porch with Jensen. She said she disliked the fans' foul language and cocky demeanors as they headed for the venue. "They need an attitude adjustment," she said.
"It's just an atmosphere we didn't want in our neighborhood," said Jensen, whose home is next to the fairgrounds. "I feel like we've been totally taken over here on our block."
Rage Against the Machine is known for its radical political statements and rough lyrics. But Greg and Josh, both 18-year-old fans from Murray, said they came for the music.
"I can't say much (about the lyrics,)" said Greg. "I'm not for it."
"Some say it's OK. Some don't listen to (the lyrics,)" said Josh. Both said it was the first time they had been to a Rage concert, but they had been to other hard-rock performances.
"We were disappointed we were not able to stop it," said Aaron Mackley, one of those who fought have the concert canceled. "But in three days we didn't have much of a chance."
He said it was troubling that city officials took the public's efforts as an affront when residents' intent was to support the City Council and mayor in attempting to keep the concert out.
Reaction from the business community varied. Some businesses near the fairgrounds - including two restaurants - closed early because of the concert. Others remained open.
All of the cars in a parking lot at Barber Bros., a dealership across the street from the fairgrounds, were moved to another lot, farther away. An employee said it was a "parking issue."
Steve White, owner of Trails End, directly across the street, stayed open. He said he thought residents blew the potential trouble out of proportion.
"I was here until 10:30," he said. "They (the fans) were decent."
Barry Gornichek, owner of Barry's Parkview Drive-Inn, said he closed early out of parental concern for the teenage girls who work there.
"There was a general feeling that a lot of people were scared," he said. But he said the concertgoers who patronized his business until it closed around 9:30 p.m. were "super."
He said the city ought to have more of such events for young people.
Police reported no serious incidents related to the performance. About 50 officers, including some from other Utah County communities, provided security outside the fairgrounds, in addition to 100 private security personnel in the arena, said Assistant City Manager Mary-Clare Maslyn.
She said that other than minor injuries, mostly related to those dancing in the mosh pit, the concert proceeded without incident. One mother from Spanish Fork even called and thanked the city for allowing the concert to go on, she said.
But the concert may be the last to be held there. Because of the controversy, the City Council has decided to ban any future concerts at the venue.