Scandinavian Day: South Elgin festival celebrates all things Nordic
You can get your fill of Swedish meatballs, ABBA songs and fried herring at the 37th annual Scandinavian Day Festival in South Elgin on Sunday, Sept. 11.
The festival takes the most well-loved and fun parts of being Scandinavian and brings them together each year at Vasa Park along Route 31.
Thrown in with the food, folk dancing and fun is also a bit of heritage education.
Organizers host the festival each year in hopes of preserving and celebrating the cultures of the five Scandinavian countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, said Linda Steffensen, who is Danish, and a board member of the Scandinavian Park, who is helping to organize the event.
They celebrate the heritage through crafts, food, drinks, children's activities, dancing, education, music and merchandise — all with a Scandinavian flair,” she said.
“It's always a beautiful day at Vasa Park, with the beautiful landscape, traditional music and costumes and a great atmosphere with lots of fun for everyone,” Steffensen said.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Throughout the day there will be various activities in different areas of the sprawling riverfront park.
Beginning at 10 a.m., along the riverfront there will be a living history illustrating Scandinavian immigration to the new world from the Vikings to the 20th century.
In the children's area of the park, there will be free pony rides, face painting, a folk dancing lesson and crafts.
For the more adult crowd, there will be a Nordic beer tasting. Participants will get to sample five Nordic beers, and hear a presentation about beer and brewing in Scandinavia.
If you want something a little more substantial in your stomach, you can purchase Swedish meatballs, Swedish pancakes, Norwegian waffles, fried herring, Kringle and more Scandinavian food, as well as plenty of American fare.
Throughout the day there also will be live entertainment on the park's stage, including a performance at 3 p.m. by Jaerv, an award- winning folk group from Sweden, and at 4:45 p.m. by Abba Salute. There also will be folk dancing and more.
Steffensen said you do not have to be Scandinavian to enjoy the fun. Everyone is welcome.
“There is something for everyone,” she said. “We'll have a great day in the park and learn about different cultures and really enjoy the entertainment.”
The cost to enter is $10 per person. Children ages 12 and younger are free.
For information visit www.scandinaviandayil.com/.
If you go
What: 37th annual Scandinavian Day festival
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11
Where: Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin.
Highlights: Festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Dancing, music, pony rides, Scandinavian food, vendors, Nordic beer tasting and more.
Admission: $10. Children ages 12 and younger free.
Details: <a href="http://www.scandinaviandayil.com/">www.scandinaviandayil.com/</a>