Welcome summer with a dance around the maypole at Scandinavian fests

Two Fox Valley festivals this weekend offer a chance to celebrate the summer solstice, Scandinavian-style.

Vasa Park in South Elgin holds its 10th annual Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration on Saturday, June 20, and on Sunday, the oldest ethnic festival in Illinois, the 105th annual Swedish Day Midsummer Festival, takes place in Good Templar Park, Geneva.

The latter event has changed very little since 1911. Pam Gustafson, an organizer from Elgin, said they have abided by tradition to preserve the century-old, local celebration.

"It's kind of like being thrown back in history," Gustafson said. "With a lot of these festivals it's all commercialized. But we've kept it the same as it was for over 100 years as much as possible."

Some activities, though, may soon vanish. A game where kids toss Swedish crafted canes will likely come to an end after this year's celebration.

"It's kind of sad; we have limited supplies of these canes made by Scandinavian crafters," Gustafson said. "Unfortunately that is a game that won't appear next year, nobody is making those kind of canes anymore."

Still, if you're looking for a salty treat, Geneva's Swedish Day is one of the last local events in which visitors can find a fried herring breakfast, Gustafson said. Other dishes available include Swedish pancakes, Swedish meatballs and sloppy joes.

The festival in Vasa Park, South Elgin, is a fledgling in comparison, yet it features many of the same traditional practices such as raising the maypole, Scandinavian dishes and folk dances. This event is more tailored to the family, said Judy Seifert, president of South Elgin's Scandinavian Park and a resident of Bartlett.

"(Our event) has changed; we used to sell food, things like that, but it's more family-oriented now, I would say," Seifert said. "This is just more like an old-fashioned family picnic."

Families are asked to bring traditional dishes to share. There will be activities and crafts for children. After a long day of socializing and celebrating, attendees raise a toast of aquavit, a Scandinavian spirit, to the traditional midsummer bonfire.

Geneva's Good Templar Park features a unique attraction - it houses the 122-year-old Viking ship. The 78-foot-long boat is a re-creation of the ancient Viking ship Gokstad.

The ship sailed from Norway to Chicago in 1893 via the Saint Lawrence Seaway. It was stored at the Field Museum and in Lincoln Park before being moved to Good Templar Park after being purchased by the American Scandinavian Council.

Swedish Day at Good Templar Park includes a Viking encampment and Viking ship presentation.

"Kids can get hands-on experience on what it was like to be a viking," Gustafson said. "They can take a real step back in time."

Swedish Day also features a cottage walk and tour, outdoor worship service, and music and dancing.

"Midsommar is just a day to enjoy the outside, dance around the maypole, and enjoy good friends and good food," Siefert said.

Both events ask for a $5 donation from adults and are free for children ages 12 and younger. But guests in traditional Scandinavian folk garb will get in free to Geneva's Swedish Day.

For details, visit www.vasaparkil.com and www.swedishday.net

If you go

<b>Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration</b>When: 3:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 20

Where: Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin

Admission: $5; free for children ages 12 and younger

Details: <a href="http://www.vasaparkil.com">www.vasaparkil.com</a>

<b>105th annual Swedish Day Midsummer Festival</b>When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 21

Where: Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva

Admission: $5; free for children ages 12 and younger

Details: <a href="http://www.swedishday.net">www.swedishday.net</a>