Meeting your inner Viking

Once a year, folks who attribute their heritage to the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden gather to celebrate their lineage at Scandinavian Day -- and the public is invited to join in the fun.

The theme for this year's 28th annual Scandinavian Day is "A Day for the Family -- Scandinavian Style" and visitors are invited to celebrate the beauty and traditions of the five Scandinavian countries.

This year's 28th annual Scandinavian Day, presented by the Scandinavian Day Festival Committee, is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Vasa Park on Route 31 in South Elgin. The date is the traditional Sunday after Labor Day for the festival, and this year also celebrates the 55th anniversary of Vasa Park.

You can get into the festival free (otherwise it's $10 for adults and free for children ages 12 and younger) if you wear full traditional Scandinavian dress or costume and spend a few minutes in the VIP/Culture Tent sharing your knowledge of Scandinavian costumes, culture and traditions. Just sign up with the gate staff upon entry.

There will be tables, chairs and refreshments available for those who share their heritage with festival visitors.

Back by popular demand is a Viking encampment, where Viking re-enactors set up camp at Vasa Park.

They create a realistic campsite and mock battles, and bring a 28-foot Viking sailing ship along with them.

While you can't go sailing on this ship, it does lend an authentic feel to the Viking legend and lore.

"The ship is set up in the park and really isn't floating," said Jack Grandin, president of the Scandinavian Festival Committee.

"This year, they could have floated on the Fox. Usually it's only 2 or 3 feet deep," Grandin said.

Chicago-area organizations representing the Nordic cultures will be on hand to introduce you to their special ethnic interests.

More than 50 vendors from across the U.S. will offer arts and crafts, gifts, specialty foods and travel opportunities unique to the ethnic origins of the Scandinavian countries.

Maria Mannisto, the Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year 2007, headlines the entertainment lineup.

Mannisto, from Bellevue, Wash., is considered one of the finest young sopranos in the Pacific Northwest. Her repertoire shows her versatility in different styles, ranging from medieval chants to jazz to rock 'n' roll.

Scandinavian Day 2007 also features The Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago, led by Linda and Paul Muhr; Ole and Sven, with their humorous Scandinavian music from Madison, Wis.; The Chicago Nordic Choir, a group of young women singing Scandinavian music; and The Finn Ladies Kantele Players.

Visitors can feast on a variety of Scandinavian foods, including Norwegian lapskaus, a meat-based stew, and Icelandic hangikjot, or smoked meat.

Tasty pancakes sell like the proverbial hotcakes at this festival. There are Danish aebleskivers, which are shaped like tennis balls and filled with apples or something else sweet, and thin Swedish pancakes rolled up and filled with lingonberry jam.

Relax with lemonade, pop or coffee, or with a more adult beverage in the beer garden.

Food and beverage sales are by tickets only, but 10 ticket sales stations will be open at all times to keep things moving.

There also will be are lots of activities for kids; pony rides are one highlight.

Scandinavian Day had a modest beginning, according to Grandin. But then the public found the event, and attendance numbers continue to rise each year.

The festival will be held rain or shine. Vasa Park is 7 miles south of I-90 and 5 miles north of Route 64. Parking is free.

For more information, call the Scandinavian Day hot line at (847) 695-6720, or visit the Web site www.scandinaviandayil.com.

If you go

What: Scandinavian Day, presented by the Scandinavian Day Festival Committee

Where: Vasa Park on Route 31 in South Elgin, 7 miles south of I-90

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Info: www.vasaparkil.com.