A glimpse of the North Morristown celebration grounds. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.
NORTH MORRISTOWN, MINNESOTA, on the Fourth of July is grassroots Americana.
Buy your pie early for the best selection. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
From the country setting to the popular parade featuring the Candy House to a medallion hunt and flag-raising ceremony and concerts and offerings of homemade pies and much more, this celebration reflects rural America at its best.
If you haven’t experienced July 4 at North Morristown, I suggest you travel to this southern Minnesota holiday destination this week.
The BINGO callers of North Morristown. I won first place for this photo in a contest sponsored by National Mutual Benefit. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
My husband enjoys his cheeseburger at the North Morristown Fourth of July celebration in 2016. This is one of my favorite close-up images and among those published in Fleur-de-lis. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.
Craig and Kathy enjoying the Fourth at North Morristown. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
Here you’ll find BINGO and bands, burgers and beer, and, at day’s end, fireworks bursting over farm fields.
The popular bluegrass band, Monroe Crossing, performs twice at North Morristown, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.
For many, this event represents an annual reunion with family and friends. Even with no roots to this place, I embrace this celebration, delighting in some really good food, visiting with friendly people and enjoying the music of crowd favorite Monroe Crossings, which returns year after year to perform at North Morristown on the Fourth.
One of several vintage kiddie carnival rides at North Morristown. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2013.
If you appreciate the company of good folks who value country, community, family and hard work, then North Morristown will appeal to you. Bring your lawn chair. Bring your appetite. Bring your kids and/or grandkids. And be sure to express your gratitude to the volunteers who make this event happen. Thank them. And buy a $2 celebration button to show your financial support.
This food stand served tasty BBQ pork and beef sandwiches and other food during a past celebration. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo 2016.
Billed as the longest-running Fourth of July celebration in Minnesota at 127 years, this is a must-attend for anyone interested in an authentic, down-to-earth way to commemorate our nation’s birthday.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’m sorry to miss this great event! We enjoyed it so much last year.
I know you did and I’m glad you attended. There’s nothing quite like North Morristown on the Fourth of July.
If you’re interested, click to my just-published Warner Press blog post: https://www.warnerpress.org/blog/post/july-fourth-reflections-on-freedom
Looks like fun. My Dad would have gotten a kick out of that vintage car carousel!
It is fun and I love those homemade kiddie rides.
What a great time and I loved the pie pic. Would you believe I graduated from Morristown High School in Morristown New Jersey? Good to see you today, Audrey.
Well then, you really ought to come to North Morristown, Minnesota, sometime. And, yes, there’s also a Morristown, Minnesota.
Thanks for missing me. My posts will still be infrequent given all happening in my life during the past two months. I miss writing and reading blog posts.
I would love to attend this— going to our own small town celebration complete with pet costume parade. Can’t wait!
So glad you have a similar small town celebration to attend in N.C.
I enjoy all the festivities about the 4th. Often I am deeply impressed.
I am deeply sadden though when I think how far we have diverged from the ideas of the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) and that Freedom is not free, that the military trys to protect our nation, firefighters try to protect our property (and lives) and police try and protect our lives. Teachers try to ingrain those rights and freedoms that have been bought and paid for in blood.
Welcome back Audrey!
Happy Fourth, Gunny.
I appreciate the welcome. I will post as time and circumstances allow. I’ve missed you all.
After a seven-year hiatus, we finally got to go back to this celebration again this year, and bring our kids and grandkids. They loved it! And I got to get reacquainted with the mother of my best friend from Eighth Grade. I had not seen her in 47 years and she remembered me!
That is an amazing story that the mother of your best friend from nearly 50 years ago remembered you.
I’m glad your family enjoyed the Fourth at N. Morristown. There’s nothing quite like it. We were out of town and too tired to attend after the drive home.
Reading this blog is nice. I always come back here for the pleasure of reading. This way of journalism is well achieved. The articles are interesting, varied, respectful. The writing is creative and enjoyable. The photographs are fabulous. Greeting.
Thank you for your kind words.