There's something uniquely American about the strange reasons we gather and create ritual. Armadillo races and festivals celebrating hearts of palm, gator wrestling on a humid summer day. Strangers have become friends through shared meals, stories, and long afternoons together. I've been seeing the real America through the smaller county roads, and experiencing true hospitality, openness, and an eagerness from strangers to tell me their stories and share traditions. American Spectacle is an ongoing documentation of the surreal and idealistic places where Americans gather. The project explores the rituals and niche celebrations that shape communities across the country, from gator wrestling to armadillo races, revealing the strange yet endearing reasons American’s come together.