MANKATO — Time-tested town get-togethers in Cambria and New Ulm, a newly-crowned state pageant winner’s participation in St. Peter’s popular parade and a huge fireworks show from hilltop athletic fields in Mankato are some of the highlights of area Independence Day celebrations.
• The Cambria community is gearing up for its 154th annual Fourth of July — the longest ongoing tradition of its kind in Minnesota. Festivities kick off with a fireworks display 10 p.m. Thursday from the grounds of the town hall.
Holiday activities Friday include children’s games and a community potluck picnic at Cambria Park. An annual Fourth of July Parade begins 1 p.m. Friday from the west edge of town.
A patriotic program slated at 2 p.m. will feature readings, music and a sing-along. Attendees may bid on a variety of cakes during a fundraising auction after the program.
The get-together will wrap up with a concert in the park Friday night.
• Miss Minnesota 2025 will be in St. Peter’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade 10 a.m. Friday along Washington Avenue.
Emma Vrieze’s coronation was June 20. From Park Rapids, she is in the nursing program at Minnesota State University-Moorhead and a float team nursing assistant at Essentia Health. A competitive swimmer who’s been a pool manager and a swimming instructor, Vrieze chose water safety as her community service initiative.
Her parade ride, along with a multitude of colorful marchers — including a visiting group from Austria, the Govenaires and members of St. Peter High School Band — will be among 90 units that will travel for several blocks greeting spectators.
The parade route ends near Minnesota Square Park. A community picnic in the park starts at noon. A local Color Guard will present the National Anthem and the Govenaires will present a concert. Ben Findley will be the emcee during kids contests and the 10-piece band Powerhouse will perform hits from several decades. Nine food vendors and a beer tent will set up on the park’s grounds.
Festivities conclude with a fireworks display that will be launched from St. Peter’s Community Spirit Park at 10 p.m. Friday.
• Mankato’s annual fireworks show will begin about 10 p.m. Friday from a site at Minnesota State University’s athletic fields, 191 Stadium Road.
The annual fireworks display usually takes place at Riverfront Park; however, the event has been moved to MSU for the second year in a row. Organizers were prompted to move the location by ongoing construction projects in the vicinity of Riverfront Park.
Free parking will be available to residents in University parking lots 20–23. Items prohibited on athletic fields include grills, personal fireworks, pets, glass containers and coolers. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed at the event.
Spectators may tune in to choreographed music that will be broadcast from FM stations 93.1 (KATO), 94.1 (KXLP) and 96.7 (KDOG).
For more information, call 507-387-8600.
• New Ulm is planning a Fourth of July Party in the Park at Turner Hall. This free event will feature live music by Adam and the Jammers, The Wendinger Band, the Concord Singers and 3 Hour Download. Vendors will be on the grounds selling ice cream, hot food and beverages.
A public fireworks display is not slated; however, the skies around the city’s Herman monument will light up with bursts of color Sept. 6 as part of New Ulm’s Hermanfest celebration at 10 Monument St.