Calling all Minnesotans—
come to Svenskarnasdag!

What: Svenskarnasdag (Swedish Heritage Day)
When: Sun., June 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Minnehaha Park

June is here and the Swedish midsummer celebration in beautiful Minnehaha Park is back again. This event is open to the public. Anyone wanting to experience the Minnesota-Sweden connection is encouraged to attend.

The event is the largest Scandinavian celebration of its kind in the upper Midwest and this year there is a special attraction—three musical groups from Sweden will perform. Anders Gustafsson, an accomplished pianist, is making a return visit from his home in Amal, Sweden; and Northern Lights Ensemble from Lulea will be performing along with the Nora Solberga Flisbi Choir from Jonkoping, Sweden.
Also appearing on the open air stage will be a variety of local Swedish/American folk dancing groups. Traditional Scandinavian foods and beverages will be available, in addition to Nordic crafts.

For children, the festival will include the traditional dancing around the May pole and Nordic lawn games.

The morning program begins at 10 a.m. with introductions and a service with a sermon by Dr. Thomas P. Coleman.

At 11:15 a.m., the midsummer pole will be raised, and there will dancing/singing led by Annika Spargo. Then festival-goers will have lunch, with entertainment provided by folk dancers from Mora, Sweden.

The afternoon program will include group songs, the presentation of the Swedish couple of 2006, folk dancers, and awards for Swede of the Year, Immigrant Swede of the Year, and the coronation of Miss Svenskarnas Dag.

Even if you aren’t Swedish, come to the festival and be Swedish for a day!
For more information, call Jon at 612-298-9495 or see the website at svenskaarnasdag.com.