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Midsummer Celebration
On Saturday July 20, the Festival will conduct a midsummer celebration. This is the second most popular holiday in Sweden after Christmas. It is a celebration of the long days of summer after experiencing the long days winter. Beginning at 10 AM in the Jamestown Market on W. Third Street, the 21 foot tall midsummer pole will be decorated with greens and flowers. Bring flowers from your garden or some picked in a field and place them on the pole in honor of your Swedish ancestors. At 11:00 AM the pole will be carried along W. Third St by the Festival's folk dancers and musicians. It will then be erected on the corner of Lafayette and W. Third. This will be followed by traditional ring dances on Lafayette St. Instruction is provided.
A craft table will be outside the front door of the Northwest Arena from 10 AM to 11:30 AM for people to make midsummer head wreaths. The entire midsummer celebration is free and open to the public. It is your opportunity to celebrate with the traditions of ancestors.
Family Activity Center
Designed for children and families but any adult is welcome!
Saturday, July 20 from 10:AM to 11:30 AM Celebrate Midsummer by making and wearing your own headwreath. *Located outside the front door to the Northwest Arena.
Saturday (continued) 1 PM to 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday, July 21 12 Noon to 3 PM
Events include the following:
- Design your own t-shirt (children and adult shirts available)
- Flax doll
- Imported Swedish midsummer activity kit
- Imported Swedish heritage activity kit
- Wooden ID tags
- Wooden dala horse or Viking ship
- Listen to a Swedish story book
- Have a conversation in Swedish
- Coloring and painting and much more
Handicraft Demonstrations and Workshops
Saturday July 20, 2024
11:00 AM tp 5:00 PM
- Chip Carving
- Swedish Weaving (Huck weaving)
- *Beginner kits available
- Scandinavian knitting
- Norwegian Painting from 1:00PM - 4:00PM
- Learn A Tune Workshop with Smorgasbandet at 5:30PM
- *Bring your instrument
Sunday July 21,2024
11:00 AM tp 3:30 PM
- Chip Carving
- Swedish Weaving (Huck weaving)
- Scandinavian knitting
- Norwegian Painting from 1:00PM - 4:00PM
- Learn A Tune Workshop with Smorgasbandet at 1:00PM
- *Bring your instrument
Learn to Play Hnefatafl
Ned Lindstrom will teach and play the ancient Viking game of Hnefetafel with you. This game has similarities to chess. Enjoy our had made board and carved pieces.
He will be available on Saturday from 10 AM to Noon as well as 6 PM to 7 PM..
On Sunday he will be present from Noon to 3:30 PM.