What specific traditions in the Midwest?

Answer 1

Not much different in Iowa, Illinois or Indiana than it is in Georgia, Maine or Oregon. There are a few pockets in American society that hold onto a few quaint Old Country habits and customs like Oktoberfest as celebrated in numerous communities like Fredericksburg Texas or an annual Lutefisk Meal at the Sons of Norway Club House and almost everyone can turn Irish and go to the pub for green beer and corned beef on Saint Patricks Day. A few communities with Italian ethnicity still make a big deal out of Columbus Day and Cinco de Mayo is an essential part of the customs of many communities even in the midwestern states. No one pays much attention to Halloweenexcept for the wee tots and and maybe a few Wikkens. Labor Day no longer celebrates laborers, President Day draws a yawn and Vetereans Day Parades are a no-show but for a very select group. A very very small group never forgets the Marine Corps Birthday Ball the night before Veterans Day.Mardi Gras and New Years Eve draw out the party animals and the Chinese New Year goes un-celebrated except in a very few communities like San Francisco. A few sentimental old foggies pay attention along with the young at heart to Valentines Day. Birthdays, Fathers Day, Mothers Day might be noted by a call or card that comes late but after all who notices. Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter fortunately survive. Perhaps and probably they are celebrated in the Midwest States like in most others for all the wrong reasons by the many but bless the few for they remain the mainstay of family togetherness. Kwanza and Hanukah never quite became a part of middle America. But then neither did Bastille Day. The Fourth of July, America's Independence Day is not forgotten nor is it properly hallowed but it is certainly a great Holiday beyond the fireworks that no longer resemble the Congreve Rockets that illuminated Old Glory when he wrote about the 'Rockets Red Glare and the Bombs Bursting in Air' in our National Anthem. May we always love a good summer picnic.