Vintage vehicles line several blocks of Elysian’s Main Street for the 21st annual Car, Motorcycle and Tractor Show on Sunday, July 5.
FOLKS IN SMALL TOWNS have a way of working together to create community events that are truly remarkable. It’s that sense of ownership, that strong connection to place, the importance of tradition and the love of community and family which, I think, prompt locals to continue year after year with time-honored celebrations like Elysian’s July Fourth weekend gathering.
Another view of the car show.
Sunday afternoon we drove through this southeastern Minnesota lakeside town on our return to Faribault from southwestern Minnesota. I noticed the Car Show sign along Minnesota Highway 60 and people gathered. So we stopped. While the husband perused the vintage cars, the son and I watched the Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull and checked out the Trail of History.
As we were leaving, Miss Elysian royalty were handing out Car Show trophies.
The holiday weekend celebration was winding down when we arrived. So we missed a lot. Yet, there was enough to see that I’m enticed to return next summer. Events actually began June 26 with royalty coronations and end this Saturday with two triathlons.
Farme’rs Friends 4-H Club advertised its root beer floats on a vintage chalkboard along the Trail of History. When we ordered the floats, a woman scooped vanilla ice cream into red solo cups and handed us cans of root beer to make our own floats. How small town is that?
As we lounged with root beer floats on grass in the shade of trees lining the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail, I considered how fortunate I was to enjoy small town Minnesota on a stunning summer afternoon with two guys I love.
Sawing wood the old-fashioned way next to the Farmer’s Friends 4-H Club tent.
Love this grassroots sign posted in front of the food tent.
Old-fashioned games like a pop ring toss were available to play.
On the Trail of History, “the Horner” explained how items are crafted from horns/bones.
Another historian shared how plants can be used as natural remedies.
A fitting July Fourth weekend sign posted outside a Trail of History tent.
An aged garage along Elysian’s Main Street serves as the backdrop for cars in the Car Show.
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WHAT ABOUT YOU? Is there a community event you attend or volunteer with each year? What makes for a successful community celebration?
FYI: Click here to see my previous post about the Kids’ Pedal Tractor Pull in Elysian.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
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