The event was organized by the local tea party group, the Warren County Patriots, who used the occasion to mark the county's namesake and Revolutionary War Maj. Gen. Joseph Warren. On its Web site and echoed throughout presentations at the event, the Warren County Patriots and tea party attendees call for citizens to protest a federal government that it calls "out of control."

The event rallied young and older participants many of whom carried, waved or wore as a motif on shirts an assortment of flags. A few wore Revolutionary War wigs and attire and had their pictures taken with a lifesize cutout of Sarah Palin. Some sat on folding chairs stitched with USA in bold letters. From the response in cheers and shouts, all seemed motivated by a love of their country.

On its Web site, the Patriots' umbrella organization Tea Party Patriots says it is "dedicated to furthering the common good and general welfare of the people of the United States," and that it seeks to "promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets. St. Louis-based tea party blogger Patch W. Adams urged participants to take action in the group's cause.

"Now is not the time to sit idly by and expect change to happen," he said. "Let history be our guide."

Some of the other featured speakers included state Rep. Brian Nieves, who is running for a state Senate seat, historian Bill Federer and Dr. Gina Loudon.

Warren County Patriots organizer Bev Ehlen said she was pleased with the turnout.

"Our goal was to get at least 300 people from Warren County to come out and we believe we achieved that," Ehlen said. "We want people to come out and get involved."

Ehlen said the group has a lot of work ahead to help elect officials who support its conservative goals and noted that a major focus has been on "watchdog" activities that monitor local government meetings and actions in the framework of the group's mission.