Authentic Scandinavian festival graces Geneva this weekend

In 1911, a small organization of Swedish, Norwegian and other Scandinavian residents created a festival in Geneva to pay tribute to the culture of their homeland.

The first Scandinavian Midsommar Festival took place on Father's Day of that year in Edison Park, Chicago.

Now in its 99th year, the festival will grace the Geneva community Sunday in its home for the past 86 years, Good Templar Park.

Pamela Gustafson, business manager of the Midsommer News, a publication which caters to Swedish communities throughout the Fox Valley, is organizing this year's event, and said the long-standing tradition has always been largely accepted by the community.

"This festival has been the drive of the people, founders of the park and people in the organization since it was created in the early 20th century,

and thanks to their kids and grandkids, we have been able to keep this tradition alive," she said.

"As you come down through the generations, those traditions from the old country get lost, and that's a very sad occurrences, but these children, these grandchildren of the founding members decided to not forget their traditions and honor them in a one-day celebration," Gustafson added.

The Good Templar Park was purchased directly for the festival in January 1924, and the first festival was held in the new park Father's Day of 1925. Since then, local volunteers and members of the organization have donated their time to constructing replica cottages and other buildings one would see in Sweden's past.

How does this event, which is also known as "Swedish Day," compare to two other Scandinavian-themed festivals - Vasa Park's Midsommar Celebration and Geneva's five-day 61st Midsommar Festival/Swedish Days - happening this weekend and next week?

Gustafson said the 99th annual Scandinavian Midsommar Festival is focused primarily on celebrating and honoring the Swedish culture.

"Nothing against the other two festivals, but my take on Swedish Days is that it has a larger appeal, where individuals might not go there for just Swedish items, and the Vasa Park festival is more geared toward children," she said.

"Although we do help out with Swedish Days, we do it on a much smaller scale than with our celebration. Ours is a bigger day, but it's less than the size of Swedish Days. I've been told that this is the best kept secret in Fox Valley," Gustafson added.

New to the festival this year is a fundraiser that will sell memorial bricks, which will encompass the centralized flagpole. Gustafson said for many of the festival's residents, the only Father's Day they know is in the park.

In addition, members of the organization will be videotaping festival goers who would like to share an intimate story about the history of Templar Park, to be aired during their 100th anniversary.

Gustafson said stories include marriage in the park's gazebo, a father working on the authentic cottages to feed himself and his family, "some really heart-wrenching stories have come across my attention," she said.

Gustafson said highlights of this year's festival include the headlining Natragillet Folk Dancers and Musicians, out of Bjasta, Sweden, who are making their U.S. debut, and the return of Gammaldans, an old-time folk dance, at the small pavilion.

Food offerings include a Swedish pancake breakfast, fried herring, Swedish meatballs and "sloppy Yoes."

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5. For details, see swedishday.net.

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>

<p class="News"><b>What:</b> The 99th Annual Scandinavian Midsommar Festival, also known as Swedish Day</p>

<p class="News"><b>When:</b> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 20</p>

<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Good Templar Park, 528 E. Side Drive, Geneva</p>

<p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> $5 for adults, free for children 12 and younger and people dressed in traditional Scandinavian folk costumes</p>

<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://swedishday.net" target="new">swedishday.net</a> or <a href="mailto:swedishday@gmail.com">swedishday@gmail.com</a></p>