Scandinavian Day Festival celebrates 40 years Sept. 8

Posted September 03, 2019 11:00 pm

Submitted by Scandinavian Park Inc.

The Long Island, New York-based accordion band, Smörgåsbandet, will perform a mixture of Scandinavian and American music. Courtesy of Smörgåsbandet

Scandinavian food, music and vendors will be showcased at the 40th annual Scandinavian Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31 in South Elgin. The public is invited. Admission is $10; children under age 12 are admitted free. Parking is free.

Many years have passed and the festival has evolved but it remains loyal to its roots in the heritage of the five Nordic countries. They achieved their mission to bring the Scandinavian community together last year when 2,000 people visited the festival.

Events include live traditional and modern music, traditional foods and beverages, crafts, pony rides, face painting, a newly installed children's playground, a Vendor Walkway for shopping and learning, and living history booths along the Fox River.

Curated by a certified cicerone, the Nordic Beer Tasting is back by popular demand! A tasting of five Nordic beers, a presentation about beer and brewing in Scandinavia, and a festival tasting glass are all part of this special addition to the festivities. There will be sessions in the afternoon. Space is limited and additional ticket required.

The festival will open at 10:30 a.m. with an outdoor church worship service.

An opening ceremony will be held at 11:15 a.m.

The Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago will bring their traditional and newly choreographed folk dances to life for all to enjoy at 11:50 a.m.

ABBA Salute will perform from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Performing all of the hits from one of the most popular bands in history, ABBA Salute has been entertaining audiences nationwide for over 10 years.

The Leikarringen Heimhug Dancers will perform from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Founded in 1925, it is the oldest existing Scandinavian folk dance group in the Chicago area. The group encourages anyone interested in learning Norwegian and other Scandinavian folk dances to become a member.

At 4:25 p.m., the Chicago Swedish Glee Club, a male chorus started in 1869, will perform.

Smörgåsbandet, a lively accordion band based on Long Island, New York, performs Scandinavian music with American music mixed in. Their performances include sing-alongs and audience participation from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., with an encore from 5:15 to 6 p.m.

Montgomery-based Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge 5-472 will make and serve waffles with lingonberries. Additionally, lodge members will offer Norwegian knit items, collectibles and homemade cookies, breads and Norwegian cakes.

The Danish Counsel General will present the Danish Scholarship Awards at 2:50 p.m.

At the end of the afternoon, there will be a closing ceremony and bonfire.

Scandinavian focused treats and artisan crafts await you within the beauty of the Oak Grove. You can also find information from local Scandinavian organizations, museums and lodges.

The food and beverage vendors offer a variety of offerings to satisfy every appetite! From refreshing Lingonberry Saft and coffee with skorpa (a Swedish biscotti) to fried herring, pølse (Danish sausage) and köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) and more, you will find something for everyone. Make sure to save room for Kringle, a Scandinavian pastry, and Aebleskiver, a Danish popover!

Vendors and organizations attending include: Trenary Home Bakery, Fadum's Viking Blend, Kirsten's Crafts and Soaps, Wanderlust Sea Salt, Nordic Nook, Jule-Hus Scandinavian Gifts, NordiKreations, Friends of the Viking Ship, Linden Frost Eclectics, Carolbel Designs, Mary-Ann Sylvester-Peek, Norwegian National League, Torske Klub, Chicago Swedish Glee Club, WKS Woodworking, Illinois Norsk Rosemalers' Association, Minnekirken, Norsk Museum, Warm Norwegian, Love, STHLM Inc., North Park University, Dala Ceramics, Scandinavian American Police & Fire Association of Illinois, Elvesund Lodge 5-593, Kris Olson Jewelry, Finnish American Society of the Midwest, Swedish American Museum, JC Artisans, Premium Designs LLC, Swedish American Children's Choir Inc., Silver Scales Chain Mail, Jensen World Travel, Ltd., Swedish Passport Company, Nisse Nook, Donna Isaacson, Normennenes Singing Society, and Danish American Athletic Club and Danish Community Tent

For information, call (847) 695-6720 or visit scandinaviandayil.com.

Check out the Scandinavian treats and artisan crafts at the 40th annual Scandinavian Day Festival on Sunday, Sept. 8, at Vasa Park in South Elgin. Courtesy of Scandinavian Park Inc.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, sample treats and entrees from the five Nordic countries during the annual Scandinavian Day Festival in South Elgin. Courtesy of Scandinavian Park Inc.

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