RED, WHITE AND BLUE banner everyday life annually around this time each year. I’m talking not only U.S. flags flying from poles, but much more. And this July 4, the 250th birthday of our nation, American pride seems especially abundant. Or maybe I’m simply noticing because of the milestone celebration.
Whatever, I challenge you to see how your friends and neighbors, local businesses, churches and other organizations are celebrating and/or running with the July 4 theme.
Locally, I found plenty of examples in expected, and unexpected, places. At Keepers Antique Shop along Central Avenue in Faribault, I always expect proprietor Nona Boyes to create a window display appropriately themed to a particular event. She didn’t disappoint, staging two mannequins draped in red, white and blue holding an American flag between them. The patriotic theme carries to a corner curio and additional window space. Boyes’ art education and background show in every single window display she creates for her antique shop.
Across the street at Books on Central, I happened upon another July Fourth display, this one atop a table. Because this is a used bookshop, books center the space created by volunteer Jeanne Campbell with assistance from Mary Campbell.
Books about the White House, “The Star Spangled Banner” and Alexander Hamilton are for sale along with other volumes artfully placed among mini American flags, a Betsy Ross statue and touches of red and white ribbon. “We the People—A Pictorial Celebration of America” and “1776” by Pulitzer Prize winning author David McCullough are also among the selections.
If you really want to get to the basics, you’ll find a pocket book of the U.S. Constitution propped in a front window display themed to celebrating the birth of this country.
To the north on Central Avenue, Fashions on Central promoted a RED WHITE BLUE SALE on a sandwich chalkboard.
At the State Bank of Faribault, an American flag graces a lush pot of flowers outside the bank’s front entry.
But it was red flowers planted in galvanized tubs and backdropping white hydrangea that drew my admiration for July Fourth floral plantings. I was en route to a garage sale in a south-side Faribault neighborhood when I spotted the work of gardener Kay, who planted red, white and blue flowers throughout her yard. She wasn’t home when I stopped. But her husband, Paul, promised to pass along my praise.
When I stopped at an estate sale, I purchased an unusual piece of art perfect for the Fourth of July. For $3, I snagged a puzzle of the Statue of Liberty pieced together by Gerda Dolman of Madison, Minnesota, when she was 100 years old. She lived to nearly 102, dying in 2021. Her son mounted the puzzle on wood. Gerda’s Lady Liberty now hangs on my dining room wall, a visual reminder of freedom, liberty and hope for all who came, and continue to come, to America. Like Gerda’s Norwegian ancestors.
As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, I focus on those foundational words of liberty and freedom. I hope others do, too, as they don patriotic attire, enjoy parades and BBQs, watch fireworks, and consider all this nation has endured from the Revolutionary War to present.
This message lifted from the tabletop display at Books on Central says it all: “For 250 years, we have maintained and loved this country that was created as the great American experiment, an exercise in self-governance and respect and freedom. Long may this great experiment reign, cherished and supported by those it protects and honors. Happy birthday to the United States of America!”
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You know me and my love for the red, white, and blue! I started wearing all three this past weekend into this week leading up to the 4th. I bought a new vanity plate for my truck with an eagle soaring with the American flag in its talons – oh so cool and patriotic. HAPPY 4th Everyone – THANKS to those that have served and are serving to secure our FREEDOMS!!!
It sounds like you are ready for the Fourth. And, yes, thank you to all who defend freedom.
I forgot to mention we finally put up a flagpole in the front yard too – oh so beautiful and almost lines up with our neighbors up the hill. I have been adding some patriotic pinwheels in the house gardens too. Love how creative people are in gearing up for the 4th!
Your Fourth of July decor sounds festive and wonderful.
The 250th efforts are fun to look at. People are very creative. I attempted to do red, white and blue in my containers including the containers themselves. The white petunias kind of took over but there are some small areas of red geraniums and blue salvia both of which might get better eventually. I tried!
Your efforts at creating a patriotic floral planting are to be applauded. Like you said, maybe the colors will balance as the flowers flourish.
Lovely piece, Audrey. ❤
Thank you, Penny. It’s really good to hear from you.
The puzzle seems to be a great addition to your art collection. Fun find!
I typically don’t care for puzzles that have been glued onto a board to create art. But this one is a beauty. It’s the shape and the subject that won me over. Plus, Gerda was 100 when she did this puzzle and her daughter was so happy I appreciated her mom’s puzzle art enough to buy it to add to my collection.
I like the red, white, and blue flowers too.
They are so beautiful! Kay did a great job.
How appropriate that the antique shop even used old (faded) bunting and what is probably an old flag (48-stars) in their display!
Yes, appropriate for an antique shop. Nona does a great job with her window displays. They are works of art.
I hope you enjoy your nation’s 250th birthday, Audrey. The red,white and blue flowers are a very lovely way to celebrate the day. Best wishes from the UK.
Thank you, Judith. This 250th didn’t feel like much of a celebration to me. I celebrate our country, but not what’s happening here right now. It’s been a difficult year plus.
In my neighborhood, no flags, no red, white, and blue….. it is an excuse for drinking to excess, and to set off fireworks until 7 am the next morning. Garbage everywhere. Not much respect for neighbors, pets. Fireworks began three before the fourth.
I’m sorry, Keith. This sounds awful.
I love the puzzle! What a piece of art! Our celebration was complete with joining thousands of others watching the air and sea show on the Hudson River with Theowhich was wonderful. At home I have a few flags and red, white and blue decor that is staying up for awhile.
That puzzle is a gem, unlike anything in my art collection. Typically I don’t care for puzzles that are displayed as art. But it’s the cut-out shape, the unique design and the story that really draw me to this artwork.