DETROIT LAKES, Minn.- Lonnie Morrison remembers the rowdy days, when drunken masses ruled his hometown's Fourth of July celebration.
"There were so many people you couldn't really move around," he said.
Though Morrison said crowds have dwindled in recent years, Independence Day in Detroit Lakes remains a big deal for his family.
Patty Van Steenwyk, Morrison's mom, staked out an awning in the city park at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. She served up sloppy Joes, hot dogs and potato salad for a shindig to celebrate 11 birthdays in June and July.
By midafternoon, hundreds were swimming in Detroit Lake or sunbathing on the city's mile-long beach. Others picnicked or played games in the park.
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Justin Grotjohn of Detroit Lakes sat along the town's main drag with a bunch of friends, people-watching and looking forward to a day off.
"Beer and fireworks make everything better," he said.
On the beach, Jeff Johnson of Duluth, Minn., relaxed in the sun while describing the Fourth of July celebration's evolution from a party atmosphere to a family-oriented event.
Compared with the days when alcohol was allowed on the beach, the town is cleaner and "toned down," said Johnson, originally from Detroit Lakes.
"Families can feel a little bit more comfortable here," he said.
A few hundred yards away, Whitney Brekken of Detroit Lakes caught some rays with a crew of friends.
She intended to "get the groove on" at a dance party at the Detroit Lakes Pavilion Tuesday night and, like almost everyone here, planned to watch the fireworks show.
Not everyone got to participate in the festivities.
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Joyce Grahn of Dunvilla, Minn., was stuck manning her "comfort foods" stand in the park, within view of the lake.
"I just want to sit at the beach for awhile," she said.
Across the park, Night Soroba of Fargo enjoyed ribs with her family. For the Sudanese immigrant, the Fourth of July is about assimilation.
"We're trying to get used to the culture. We're trying to live the life Americans are living, celebrating with Americans together," she said.
Shukry Mohammad of Moorhead, a Kurdish immigrant from northern Iraq, snacked on kabobs with his family down the hill from Soroba.
For Mohammad, America's Independence Day is a time to cherish freedom - something his overseas relatives are fighting for today.
"All people around the world want to get a day like this day," he said.
As the conflict in Iraq churns on, honoring our nation's birthday is more relevant than ever, said Mona Savig of Detroit Lakes.
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"Freedom means a lot," she said. "We don't have to worry about getting a bomb dropped on us. We're lucky."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Bryce Haugen at (701) 235-7311
