Nordic-themed entertainment, food to be featured at Scandinavian Day Festival Sept. 11
The five Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - will be celebrated when the Scandinavian Day Festival returns for its 42nd year on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, just north of McLean Boulevard in South Elgin.
The festival features Scandinavian music, food and dance, a vendor walkway, face painting, story time by Elsa, children's activities, and free pony rides.
It will run from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $10; children age 12 or younger are admitted free. Parking is free. No outside food, drinks or coolers are allowed. Pets are not allowed; however trained service dogs are welcome.
The day kicks off with a worship service from 10:30 to 11 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony at 11:10 a.m.
The first performers will be Leikarringen Heimhug, the Chicago area's oldest Scandinavian folk dance group, who will take the stage from 11:35-11:55 a.m. The group is one of three original Norwegian "Leikaringens" or "ring dance" societies formed in Chicago. The name Heimhug signifies the yearning for home, a feeling shared and expressed by the Norwegian immigrants who founded the group in 1925.
Bagshot Row, an oldies/classic rock band, will perform from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.
The Nordic Dancers of Chicago will be demonstrating Scandinavian folk dancing at 2:05 p.m.
The Norwegian Bachelor Farmers, featuring Kyle Elsbernd and Dave Kirkeby, returns to the Scandinavian Day stage from 2:40 to 3:40 p.m. For nearly 30 years, this Norwegian folk band has performed for festivals throughout the Midwest, including Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa; Norsk Høstfest in Minot, North Dakota; and the Norwegian National League Constitution Day Parade in Park Ridge.
Dancing Queen: An ABBA Salute performs an ABBA tribute, with a repertoire of over 40 all-time favorite hits, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The festival wraps up each year with a bonfire from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
For information on the festival, visit www.scandinaviandayil.com.
Vasa Park is available for outdoor rentals May through October. The park is 23 acres and has ample parking for over 1,000 cars. Bordered by the Fox River, Vasa Park is the perfect setting for weddings, family reunions, company picnics, outdoor concerts and festivals of all sizes.
Contact Scandinavian Park, Inc. at www.vasaparkil.com or (847) 695-6720.