Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
TIS THE SEASON of small town celebrations and county fairs here in Minnesota. We pack a lot of activities and events into the summer months. Carnival rides, games and concession stands pop up on Main Streets and in city parks. Folks flock to fairgrounds, this week locally in Faribault for the Rice County Fair.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Whether you embrace these events or steer clear of them and the ensuing crowds, they are part of our history, our culture, our communities.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
In June I photographed snippets of the annual Dam Days celebration in Morristown to the west of Faribault. And later in the month, I took my camera to the Midway at the Faribault Heritage Days celebration in Central Park.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Today I invite you to peruse selected photos from my Sunday afternoon walk among the amusement rides, games and food stands in Morristown.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
On this day mostly locals and those come back to their hometown for Dam Days, enjoyed the festivities and each other’s company in the sunshine of a sweet summer day in southern Minnesota.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
Minnesota Prairie Roots photo.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
WHAT?! It’s fair time ALREADY?
Summer just started…..we was robbed!
Yeah, I totally get what you are saying.
your images are engaging, clear and crisp you picked the perfect day to capture these pictures with not a lot of people around and lighting
I was surprised at the lack of people. And given the timing of the photo shoot (early to mid afternoon), I was surprised at how wonderful the lighting.
Looking at the picture’s of the carnival I feel like I’ve just been to the carnival. Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
Thank you kindly, Judie.
You captured the happenings perfectly! We were in your neck of the woods for a short period of time over the last couple of weeks in Mantorville. I so enjoyed the time with my dear friends, but we did break away from visiting to attend the Dodge County Fair. I loved going through the livestock barns and talking to the 4H kids about their animals and various projects. Mike and I were both introduced to cheese curds Minnesota style and the TenderMaid crumble burgers in Austin. We love Minnesota and hope to get back there for a much longer stay in the future. Small towns are the very, very best places to be, and the Minnesota hospitality is warm and welcoming. We loved every second!
Dawn, I’m so glad you felt welcomed in Minnesota. Did you tour the SPAM Museum in Austin?
Perhaps your next visit life will be more settled here and I can meet you and Mike. Happy and safe travels.
We did visit the SPAM museum and even a couple cans for posterity (hadn’t had SPAM in years).
I hope life settles for you soon. We’ll definitely be back and hope to meet you in person at some point. Take care!
Excellent and thank you. I hope to read some of your Minnesota posts soon, although my time for reading blogs is limited.