IRON RANGE — Ask Aaron Brown about the Fourth of July on the Iron Range, and you'll get more than a list of parades and fireworks.
For Brown, a Minnesota Star Tribune columnist and editorial board member, the holiday is about immigration, community and coming home. He joined the KAXE Morning Show to talk about the region's history, hometown reunions and why Independence Day feels unlike any other holiday on the Range.
"America's an immigrant story, but the Range is a particularly acute example of it because in a relatively short amount of times — 20 or 30 years — the majority of the population of the Mesabi, Cuyuna and Vermilion iron ranges mostly came from Europe, but certainly overseas.
"There were dozens of languages, dozens of cultural traditions and then, more than 40 nationalities that kind of just showed up — mostly poor people, laborers working in the mines, some in logging camps."
Editor's Note: A list is important! The KAXE News Team has created an amazing list and mapping here.
Despite those differences, Brown said the Fourth of July became a shared celebration that united communities.
"Even if you had an Italian and a Serbian and a Slovenian and a Croatian and a Finnish kid in a row at school, they were separated by a lot of differences."
That's one reason Brown loves the holiday, especially at a time when the country can feel divided.
"Everyone just comes out and talks."
For many families, the Fourth has also become the Iron Range's annual homecoming. Former residents return to visit family and reconnect with old friends, filling parks, parade routes and backyard gatherings with somewhat familiar faces.
Brown joked that the holiday can also introduce newcomers to their partner's hometown history.
"Have you had the talk about previous girlfriends or boyfriends? Maybe you have, but no doubt they will be there. And they're going to talk to you."
Or you may discover your significant other went by a completely different name.
"Your significant other has a nickname. You don't know it. You'll suddenly find out that spouse you call Christina was once Tina. They tried to rebrand themselves," Brown said.
Whether you're returning home or visiting the Iron Range for the first time, Brown says the Fourth of July is where the region's past and present come together. It becomes a celebration of community, history and the people who continue to call the Range home.
Listen to the full conversation above, which also includes Brown's thoughts on deer, fancy city guacamole bars and plenty more stories from around Northern Minnesota.
Got a Fourth of July tradition? Let us know!
