Dance around the Maypole at Geneva’s Midsummer Festival

You don’t have to be Scandinavian to enjoy the 103rd annual Swedish Day Midsummer Festival, but it helps if you have a healthy appreciation for such traditions as Maypole raising, Swedish meatballs, folk music and dancing.

Billed as the longest continually-running festival in the Fox Valley, the one-day celebration of all things Swedish takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva. Admission is $5, but kids younger than 12 and visitors dressed in traditional Scandinavian folk costumes are admitted free.

Events include a Lutefisk toss, cultural presentations, a Viking encampment, arts and crafts, music, entertainment, Viking Ship presentations and tours of “stugas,” summer cottages designed in traditional Swedish style.

You can start your day with a fried herring or Swedish pancake breakfast, washed down with plenty of Sweden’s favorite beverage — kaffe (coffee). A Swedish meatball dinner, coffee bread, sloppy joes, hamburgers, hot dogs and almond tarts round out the menu.

For the younger set, there will be pony rides, a Moon Jump, crafts and games, face painting, balloon animals and Swedish mini golf.

The event is organized by the Swedish Day Committee of the International Organization of Good Templars. For a complete schedule, visit www.swedishday.net/.