Nordic beer tasting, entertainment add flair to Scandinavian Day
Vasa Park in South Elgin will host a festival of all things Nordic this Sunday, Sept. 10. The Scandinavian Day Festival, set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will feature regional food, entertainment, and a popular beer tasting event as well as children's activities and shopping.
Scandinavia consists of five countries — Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland — and the festival will give a nod to each culture, according to organizers.
“It's wonderful to throw a big party for about 2,000 people and that's what it is,” said Joy Thorbjornsen-Coates, festival coordinator.
The attendees are often longing for home, according to treasurer Johannes Smits.
“The first time I went to the Scandinavian Park was around the time I moved here. I was really homesick,” said Smits. “I was born in Holland but I'm a Danish citizen.”
It was 1988 when Smits discovered the festival, which has been taking place since 1980.
“To me, it's a really great place to meet people,” he said. “You meet so many people from all kinds of countries. I meet friends that I only see once or twice a year, and I teach Danish so I meet a lot of old students.”
Smits, of Roselle, is also delighted to find familiar foods at the festival.
“We have a lot of good food out there and Danish beer.”
In fact, the Nordic beer sampling is one of the more popular festival offerings. Each country will be represented by a native beer, except for Denmark, which will offer mead, an ancient precursor to beer. Beer expert Jenny “JP” Pfafflin will present seminars about the history of beer.
As coordinator, Thorbjornsen-Coates likes to keep things fresh. One of the newer goals is to bring in talent and entertainers from Scandinavia.
This year's festival will feature a number of musical acts including a returning favorite, the award-winning Swedish quintet Jaerv. A Danish folk band called Gangspil and a Chicago-based Scandinavian folk band called Chicago Spelmanslag will make their first Scandinavian Day appearances.
Tribute band ABBA Salute will perform, “because who doesn't like ABBA?” Thorbjornsen-Coates asked.
Nordic folk dancers will perform and teach the dances to attendees.
“We offer a folk dancing class so if people eat too much they can take a class,” said Thorbjornsen-Coates.
Other activities include free pony rides for children, as well as games and storytelling. Vendors and Scandinavian clubs and organizations will have booths.
Even if you're not into Scandinavian culture, it's worth coming for the food, Thorbjornsen-Coates said. “If you like to eat there is something for everyone,” she said.
Vasa Park is at 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Admission is $10; children age 12 or younger are admitted free. For details, visit www.scandinaviandayil.com.
38th annual Scandinavian Day festival
<b>When:</b> 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10
<b>Where:</b> Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin.
<b>Admission:</b> $10; free for kids 12 and younger. Free parking.
<b>Details:</b> (847) 695-6720 or <a href="http://www.scandinaviandayil.com/index.html">www.scandinaviandayil.com</a>.