Dr. Marit Hordvik, chair of the Scandinavian Festival for the past five years, poses with comedians Ole and Lars in 2024.

Nancy Edmonds Hanson

Fargo-Moorhead’s seven Nordic Culture Clubs have rotated the Scandinavian spotlight among the nations at the top of Europe for nearly 50 years. This year, it’s Norway’s turn to shine.
The Scandinavian Festival coming up at the Hjemkomst Center June 20 and 21 is leaning Norsk, says Dr. Marit Hordvik, in honor of the 200th anniversary of the first wave of Norwegian immigrants to reach the New World in 1825, when the sloop Restauration departed Stavanger bound for New York. She is coordinating the festival for the fifth consecutive year.
In Fargo-Moorhead, that’s plenty of reason to celebrate. Last year, more than 4,000 attended the two-day festival. Says Marit, “This year we’re hoping for more … and hoping people can find their way through the road construction to join us.
Parking is going to be a challenge, with the Center Mall area closed off. That’s why the organizing committee has arranged with MSUM to use three parking lots on 11th Street South at the northwest side of the campus – G2, G3 and G4 – for free festival parking. Shuttle buses will run continuously both days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The Hjemkomst lot is reserved for program participants and handicapped parking.)
Storytellers and musicians highlight the two-day event, along with 30 vendors ranging from painters, authors and woodworkers to wool-workers, photographers, mixed media artists, and more. Hungry for pickled herring, fattigman, rommegrot, aebleskiver and other treats your grandmother made? The Nordic Food Court will be serving up traditional treats throughout both days. Meanwhile, Swing Barrel Brewing Company will pour draft beer for the over-21 set.
Three headliners are coming from Norway, thanks to a grant from the Lake Region Art council via the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Story-teller Chad Filley will tell tales about his immigrant ancestors. An all-male 40-member Norwegian chorus, the Luren Singing Society, is slated to perform. Filmmaker Cris Anderson will introduce his 30-minute documentary, “Dwight in Denmark: Saving Tunes from Extinction.”
Musicians from this region also populate the program. They range from Hardanger fiddler Bud Larsen and Ole Olsson’s Old-Time Orkestra to Renee Vaughan, who plays the Swedish nyckelharpa, and Steve Solkela, a Finnish one-man band from the Iron Range. Mrs. Pepperpot, a character from out of the pages of Norwegian children’s books, will entertain youngsters, who can also enjoy face painting and Runic Bingo (with rune expert Loraine Jensen of Alexandria).
Outside in Viking Ship Park, the Viking Encampment – a group of reenactors from the Twin Cities – will demonstrate crafts and the use of Viking-era weapons, tell stories and interact with visitors.
Marit, a physician who works at the NDSU’s Student Health Service, became involved with the annual festival through her leadership of the 11-year-old Daughter of Norway organization. Her parents immigrated from Norway to Fargo in 1960. Born here, her first language was Norwegian, and she maintains contact with many relatives still in Norway.
Adult admission to the festival is $15.64, with senior citizens, students and the military admitted for $12.51. Youth (11-17 years) are $10.53; younger children are free. A family bundle for four or more is $52.13. Tickets may be purchased in advance at
https://nccscandinavianfestivaltix.square.site.