August 05, 2012 - 9:41 AM
MOUNTAIN, N.D. - Residents of the tiny northeastern North Dakota town of Mountain say its annual Icelandic heritage celebration is continuing to thrive.
The town of about 100 people has been holding the "Deuce of August" festival each year for more than a century. Thousands of people come to the event, which focuses on Icelandic history and culture. It started Friday and runs through Sunday.
Organizer Curtis Olafson says interest in the Deuce of August hasn't diminished. Olafson says, "We keep changing and doing some different things every year" to keep people coming back.
The Deuce of August commemorates the day in 1874 when a new constitution was introduced for Iceland's independence from Denmark. Organizers say it's the oldest ethnic festival in North Dakota.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012