AMERICAN PRIDE RUNS STRONG in many small towns. At least that’s my take after a recent tour of several communities in my area.
Take Elysian, a lakeside community of 724 year-round residents in Le Sueur and Waseca counties. The summer-time population swells well beyond that as cabin owners, campers and others flock to the area.
Walk through the several blocks of Elysian’s downtown, and you’ll see American flags flying from lamp posts, buildings and flagpoles, lending a patriotic feel to this southern Minnesota town.
In a community that celebrates the Fourth of July in a big way with six days of events running from July 2-7, the prolific flag display seems especially fitting. July 4th and the American flag are, of course, synonymous. As are days packed with July 4th events that draw crowds of locals and visitors.
Elysian has an impressive array of activities planned: pageants, a medallion hunt, turtle races, street dances, street and boat parades, arm wrestling, kids’ fishing contest and power pedal pull, flea market, chicken and pancake feeds, bean bag and cribbage tournaments, car show. July 5th fireworks… (Click here for more information.)
Love of country and love of community merge to create this July Fourth celebration in Elysian, a small town where patriotism shows in the American flags that fly, in the gathering to celebrate our nation’s birthday.
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FYI: Other area communities also celebrate the Fourth in big ways. That includes the 131st July 4th celebration in North Morristown, where a parade, patriotic program (including a flag raising ceremony), games, kids’ rides, food stands (including homemade pies), music (including the ever-popular Monroe Crossing, with performances at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.), fireworks and much more define July 4th. Events are held on the festival grounds across from Trinity Lutheran Church and School in North Morristown, a spot in the middle of farm fields in southwestern Rice County. (Click here for more information.)
To the south of Owatonna in Blooming Prairie, this small town hosts its 50th Old Fashioned 4th of July beginning on July 3, then continuing on July 4 and 6. It truly is an event for families, with lots happening for kids. Games, pony rides, races, a kids’ pedal tractor pull, inflatables, painting, etc. Adults will find plenty to do also with a fine arts fair and vendor market, music, a tractor pull, parade, fireworks and more. (Click here for more information.)
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NOTE: Check back to see more photos of U.S. flags gracing other small towns in my area of southern Minnesota.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
how wonderful ! and Minnesota is still standing and proud after all you’ve been through! fly that flag high!
Yes, we are on the other side of the worst of flooding here in southern Minnesota. I think. Fly the flags!
Love to see all the flags so near to July 4th!!
It is nice, isn’t it?
I just love seeing all of the flags all over the place at this time of year. It makes me happy!
It definitely is a feel-good thing to see all those American flags this time of year.
I wonder if the people who wear 4th of July T-shirts, who use flags as a periphery of their yards, or hang bunting on their houses realize that our country is on the brink of chaos depending on November’s election. It is difficult to get excited for July 4th when maybe this time next year we will be residing in another country. Yes, folks, it is that bad.
I hope people think about the reasons they are wearing or showcasing the red-white-and-blue. I intentionally kept my series of Fourth/flag posts non-political. only alluding to my concerns for our country.