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Spring Grove, MN
A city of Norwegian descent, Spring Grove was founded over a hundred years ago. It received it's name from the water and woods the early settlers searched for, and has the unique distinction of being the first Norwegian settlement in the State of Minnesota.
During the winter season, the popularity of snowmobiling seems to grow more and more each year as riders enjoy the well-groomed trails in Spring Grove and the surrounding area. Several years ago, Carl Homstad was commissioned to create four murals on buildings along the Main Street in Spring Grove. This series is a celebration of agriculture 100 years ago and each mural represents one season. We are also well known for our Spring Grove Pop - 10 flavors; enjoy!
Spring Grove holds it's annual "Syttende Mai Fest" on the third weekend in May. A celebration to commemorate Norwegian Constitution Day, Syttende Mai is an event similar to the Fourth of July. Considering Spring Grove's Norwegian heritage, it seems especially appropriate to celebrate this special occasion with ethnic foods, costumes and trolls. There is dancing, an arts and crafts event, a flea market, quilt show, fiddlers' bee, bus tours and a Folkemarsj. The annual "10K walk is held on Saturday and Sunday of Syttende Mai weekend. It will start at the Syttende Mai Hus (Log Cabin) in Viking Memorial Park on Main Street. Each day it will begin between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and will finish no later that 5:00 p.m. The event Is sponsored by the Syttende Mai Komiteens Folkemarsj Stiftelse (AVA 122MN04) Syttende Mai, Inc. For more Information contact, Maribeth Anderson, P.O. Box 391, Spring Grove, MN 55974. Every year on the third weekend in July (Thursday through Sunday), "Ye Olde Opera House", a community theater, puts on a musical in a barn on the edge of town. The gates to the grounds open at 6:30 p.m, with foods on the green; show time at 8:30 p.m. A wonderful time to view the autumn leaves is during Spring Grove's "the first weekend in October. This event features many scarecrows, house tours, arts, crafts, garage sales, and of course, the "10k Folkemarsj" walk through the streets of the town. After Thanksgiving, our "Christmas In the Village" lighting takes place in Viking Memorial Park in the heart of downtown Spring Grove. The lighting will be held on the last weekend in November. The display can be seen until mid-January. Skaters, carolers, straw-animals, Santa, reindeer, snowmen and a sleigh all trimmed in lights can be viewed each evening. The "Ballard House" is our tourism center, housing a museum, antiques and specialty shops along with the parlor ice cream shop. The building once was a hotel, built in 1893 and opened as the Ballard House in 1989. The season is May 1 - December 30, seven days a week. For more information, call or
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The Norwegian heritage and language
are still evident today on the streets and in the cafes and
business establishments. Spring Grove has rosemaled window boxes as well as a
rosemaled water tower. The friendly, small town spirit which Spring Grove offers tourists makes their stay a pleasant
one. You can experience numerous serene settings along the
scenic back roads while using one of three self-guided
audio-cassette driving tours.