North Dakota Town Crowned As The Hippy Capital Of The State

Have you hung out with a "hippy" before?

North Dakota is certainly not known as a hotspot for the hippy lifestyle, but we do have some self-proclaimed "hipsters" in the state.

For those of you who are not familiar with the term "hippy," let's take a look at the meaning and lifestyle.

I had a couple of friends who I played softball with for many years, who embraced the hippy life. Here is what they told me about hippies.

They are often misunderstood. Hippies first came to light in the United States in the 1960s, and this lifestyle spread across the world.

Rebellion is a foundation of the hippy lifestyle. 

If something is mainstream, you can bet they don't like it. This goes for typical American values or cultural standards. Hippies embrace an alternative lifestyle and stand for peace, love, and individuality.

They love to express themselves through music (lots of Grateful Dead), art, fashion, and communal living.

Hippies are also known for their love of marijuana and other mind-altering drugs.

Recreational drug use is a standard. 4:20 was a time that was recognized daily by my softball friends. Sometimes it showed on the diamond. (wink, wink)

How about "fashion" when it comes to hippies?

It was all about long hair (both men and women), lots of tie-dye clothing, facial hair, sandals, of course, and other items that reflected their defiance of mainstream styles.

This lifestyle peaked in the 70s and began to decline after that. With that being said, there are still pockets of hippies all across America, including North Dakota.

What city in North Dakota is the "Hippy" Capital of the State?

According to an article on Thrillist, FARGO is "Hippy" ground zero for North Dakota, mainly for its downtown hippy lifestyle, with plenty of hippy-friendly coffee shops and other assorted shops.

Next time you are visiting North Dakota's largest city and you notice some extra tie-dye walking around downtown, now you know why. Peace and love to you all.