CAMBRIA — Minnesota’s longest consecutive Fourth of July celebration took place for the 152nd year Sunday and Tuesday in this friendly town in the Minnesota River valley southeast of New Ulm.

Hundreds of people watched a fireworks show that concluded with a flurry of spontaneous fireworks exploding over the south end of town, drawing applause from a sizable crowd.

Celebration co-chairwoman Danielle Deopere, said the event was held in 2020 during the COVID epidemic, although on a smaller scale. The parade that is usually lengthy for a small town of several hundred people, featured the August Schell Brewery antique bus, several riding lawn mowers and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with a U.S. flag.

“Some people didn’t want us to hold it in 2020 because of COVID, but we did. This is Cambria,” said Robert Hanson. He said he moved to Cambria several decades ago because he liked the peace and quiet it offered.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Kids games in the park July 4 at Cambia included an Oreo cookie face race won by Alex Marti of Courtland, left. Aiden Altmann of New Ulm is pictured at right. Participants were told to put an Oreo cookie on their forehead and try to slide it into their mouth by tilting their head.

After kids games in the park and a community potluck open to all, a Sunday afternoon parade featured old-time cars, tractors, fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles idling down Main Street twice. Parade participants threw lots of candy that children scrambled to collect.

July Fourth attendees included Tom and Ann Thorson, who have Cambria roots but now live in Michigan.

Events concluded with a patriotic program and fancy cake auction at the Cambria Town Hall.

Deopere read the story behind the song “Dear Hearts and Gentle People” which she said became the Cambria community song in the 1990s at the patriotic sing-along.

“The story of this song starts with Stephen Foster, known as the father of American music. He wrote many well known minstrel songs: Oh! Susanna, Camptown Races, My Old Kentucky Home, and Beautiful Dreamer,” said Deopere.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Cambria’s parade down Main Street Sunday that took two laps through town included a trailer of adults and children.

“However, Stephen Foster did not write ‘Dear Hearts and Gentle People.’ Actually, when he was found dying in a New York hotel room in 1864, he had a scrap of paper on him with the worlds “Dear friends and gentle hearts.” These words became the inspiration for the song,” Deopere said.

She said the song was published in 1949 with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Bob Hilliard. It refers to the singer’s hometown. It was performed by Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore among others.

“The main theme of having a close, caring hometown is present throughout all versions of the song,” Deopere said.

Soloists Claire Brown and Erick Thorson provided special music at the patriotic program. David Lloyd and Aiden Weller-Caputo read the Gettysburg Address and the story of the American flag.

Gerry and Carol Larson and the Rev. Penny Johnson led the community sing along.

Donations can be sent to the Cambria Fourth of July Fund, 116 Oak St., New Ulm. Mn.