Photos by Charlene Corson Selbee
A passport is not needed to experience the heritage and culture of the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland during the 57th Annual Nordic Fest celebration in Decorah, Iowa, July 25-7.
This year’s Nordic Fest theme is Uff Da! Uff Da is a familiar Norwegian phrase heard throughout Bluff County and is said after hearing bad news.
“Nordic Fest has always been a wonderful event here in Decorah that celebrates the town’s connection to the Nordic countries, in particular that of Norway. At Vesterheim during Nordic Fest we strive to provide experiences that celebrate and are inspired by Norwegian-American stories and folk-art. Whether this will be your first Nordic Fest or you’ve been coming to Nordic Fest since the beginning, we are excited to welcome you to Decorah,” said Chris Johnson, President/CEO Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
Visitors will enjoy a range of demonstrations such as blacksmithing, forging, leatherwork, stave and bentwood container construction, rosemaling, weaving and spinning, mica embroidery, knifemaking, ropemaking, silver filigree jewelry, pottery, dragonstyle carving, beam carving, and more.
On Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5p.m., Vesterheim is hosting a full lineup of entertainment and activities at Heritage Park, the museum, Bethania Church and Vesterheim Commons. Attendees will enjoy readings by Author Carol Hagen, Eden Ehm on the hardanger fiddle, demonstrations by the Skjaldborg Vikings, Norwegian cow calling with Peggy Larson, Scandinavian hymn singing, storytelling with Hege Nilsen, Rochester Flute Choir concert, and Lynx Lynx concert.
Before wandering downtown to enjoy scrumptious Scandinavian delicacies (krumkake, kringla, rosettes) and lingonberry saft, rømmegrøt, varme pølse, and lefsa, head inside for a tour of the museum. Tip: Plan on buying extras to take home.
Upcoming events in Bluff County include:
• July 21, Music in the Bandshell, Peterson, Minn.
• July 23, Music in the Park, Caledonia, Minn.
• July 25-27, Nordic Fest, Decorah, Iowa
• July 26-18, Houston Hoedown Days, Houston, Minn.
• July 28, Music in the Bandshell, Peterson, Minn.
The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.
For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, and vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.