Fourth of July celebrations don't get much bigger in Minnesota than they do in Delano.
The Delano 4th of July celebration dates back to July 4, 1857 one year before Minnesota became a state. Lifelong Delano resident, Linda Schrode, says there's nothing like it.
"It's a big deal here," Schrode said. "It's absolutely huge."
Planning for the four-day celebration is a year-round task. Luckily, around 40 volunteers come together to make it all possible through boards and committees. Alex Roeser chairs the Fourth of July planning board.
"It just continues to keep growing," Roeser said. "It's not the picnic by Fountain Lake that it was back when it first started."
Whether it's baseball, the parade, fireworks, music, or food there's something for everyone.
"The parade draws around 35,000 people each year," Roeser said. "We've had to cut the time back just to make sure it fits into the schedule."
It's a parade people prepare for.
"People put their chairs out two weeks in advance," Schrode said. "It's a big joke in town. People already have their blankets out and they tape their area off."
A staple to the celebration has been the Stars and Stripes Legion Wood Bat Baseball Tournament.
"Some of the best, young talent plays in this tournament," Roeser said. "Our legion takes great pride in this community and has created a very special tournament.that draws big crowds each and every year."
The celebration is free to attend. Money raised by various vendors and foodstands is used to offset costs and make donations to local causes.
"Anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000 is donated annually to a variety of groups in Delano," Roeser said. "It's not just for sports or one thing. We want to include everyone."
The celebration is capped off with a 27-minute long fireworks show Saturday, July 6 at 10:30 p.m.