JULY FOURTH in North Morristown is like a step back in time, a true grassroots celebration in the heart of rural southern Minnesota farm land.
A large crowd enjoys a free afternoon concert by Monroe Crossing on July 4, 2013. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Since 1892—that’s 122 years if you’re counting—Trinity Lutheran Church and School have observed our nation’s birthday, giving it the distinction as the oldest Fourth of July celebration in Minnesota.
The country church and school, and a cluster of several farm sites, are North Morristown, set among fields of corn and soybeans in Rice County west of Faribault.
The Fourth of July celebration is held at the North Morristown festival grounds, pictured here, in southwestern Rice County. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
At 9 a.m. on July 4, stands and games open at the festival grounds across from Trinity. The grounds remain open until after the 10 p.m. fireworks.
This is an event which offers a day of good old-fashioned fun and memory-building for all ages, including the 10 a.m. parade that runs a block, or maybe two.
An overview of the novelties shoppe and games and rides building. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
I can’t recall how many times I’ve been to North Morristown on the Fourth. But enough that I’d recommend this celebration to anyone, especially those seeking a sense of simplicity, community, history, patriotism and Americana. All define the Fourth of July here.
A peek inside the ice cream shoppe. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
From the parade to the flag raising to the patriotic program, medallion hunt, bingo, music, kids’ games and rides, silent auction and, let’s not forget the delicious homemade food, you’ll find it all.
Enjoying a pork sandwich and a beer at the 2013 Fourth of July celebration. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
The homemade pies are to die for as are the BBQ pork and hot beef sandwiches.
Homemade blueberry pie. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
Just a tip. Don’t wait too long to order your slice of pie or you may not get the type you want. Pie sells quickly.
The vintage car ride for kids. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
I love everything about this celebration, but especially the kitschy kids’ rides that appear to have been around forever. I expect second and third generations are riding these rides. This event is definitely family-oriented.
The bluegrass band, Monroe Crossing, has performed at North Morristown the past seven years, presenting two concerts at the celebration. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
Music comprises a major part of the festivities. The well-known bluegrass band, Monroe Crossing, is slated to perform at 1 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. on the main stage. Also on the main stage will be the Roe Family Singers at noon and 4 p.m. and the Mountain Lake Gospel Singers at 7 p.m. There will also be music in the beer garden.
Zinghoppers, a band focused on entertainment for the preschool and elementary-aged crowd, performs at 2:30 p.m.
The bingo callers. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
Visitors stopping by the ice cream shoppe could drop donations for the entertainment into a drop box at last year’s celebration. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
Just a few other things you should know: Parking and entertainment are free, although I’d suggest you buy a $1 celebration button and/or donate monies to support the festival. Bring a lawn chair, just in case. There are picnic tables and bleachers but those can fill quickly.
Hot pork and beef sandwiches and cold beverages are served from this stand. Burgers and other foods are also available.
Keep your food and alcoholic beverages at home as they are not allowed onto the church or festival grounds. There’s plenty of great food and drink available for purchase. Lock your vehicles. This may be in the middle of nowhere, but…
Homemade pies and ice cream are served from the pie building. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
And did I tell you to order a slice of pie?
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Eat a piece of that yummy pie for me. It looks delightful!!!
I would, but I won’t be there this year. 😦
Oh yea– you have way more important things going on! 🙂
I do. I do.
Are you excited? Understatement, I know.
Oh, just a wee bit excited.
Yup……..These types of events are what hometown celebrations are meant to be…..reaffirming those values we (ought to) hold dear and form the foundation of this great country. I can always count on you to alert us to such………..and it’s July…..already!!!!!
This truly is one of those “hometown celebrations.”
I can’t believe it’s July already either. Where is this summer going?
I surely don’t know but today is a chilly one!!!! The rain showers keep rolling through here!!!! Sun then rain all day with 69!!!!!! Brrrrrrrr……………..
I like this cool wave. Good sleeping weather.
And quilting (but, then, when isn’t the weather perfect for that??? Hehehehe!…………..)!!!!!!
You are so right. I think any weather would be quilting time for you.
Pork sandwich and pie – oh my! Looks wonderful.
Delicious.
This is your kind of event, Dan.
I’m sad I am going to miss it this year! It is certainly something to come home for!!! And it helps that I always know people 🙂
That’s part of it, too, Amy, that sense of community and reconnecting with folks. Happy Fourth to you and Jon!
Oh, Audrey, what fun this must be. I love to go to things like this, but alas, my husband
doesn’t so we stay home.. To me it makes the 4th so much more special and it makes a
person think how lucky we are to be free to partake in celebrating the day.
Enjoy the day and have an extra piece of pie for me. (i’ll have blueberry!)
DeLores
Well, then, DeLores, you need to find someone else to accompany you to a Fourth of July celebration maybe.
I can’t attend North Morristown’s celebration this year because I have other plans for the day. I don’t go every year. But almost.
Happy Fourth to you and yours!
Just in case you miss the parade in North Morristown most of the parade goes directly to Elysian for their 4th of July celebration. Not sure what time the parade is so you’ll have to check. North Morristown is a fun place to be!!!
I did not know that about the parade participants heading over to nearby Elysian. Thanks for the tip.
This does look fabulous Audrey, Maybe some year (in the future) Rick and I will venture to the event. For now it’s Mom & Dads house, we all gather and have a great time 🙂 That blueberry pie looks amazing 🙂
Your Fourth of July gathering with family sounds fabulous.
I so want pie now – thanks – ha! Beautiful Captures – Beautiful Share 🙂 I am so excited that it is July and Hello! to Artown here – a whole month of art and most of it is FREE to attend – YAY!!! Happy July 🙂
Artown sounds like a great month-long celebration. You’ll show us, right?
I will do my best. I usually have my smartphone and upload to Facebook. Need to get better at putting those events on my blog though.
Yes, I’d love to see those events. Takes a lot of time, though, to post.
It does and it ends up being photos and trying to remember the content or context to the photos.
I can relate to that trying to remember, especially if you’re like me and shoot hundreds of photos.
I love how this is a 122-year old tradition. It really does look like a day of old-fashioned fun and long may it last. That pie looks really good and I wouldn’t mind trying some of the ice cream. Happy 4th of July xx
Oh, yes, you would appreciate the homemade food, Charlie.
Does anyone have old pics from way back to post