Vendors
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Performances & Presentations
Check out our amazing vendors! We have painters, authors, woodworkers, wool-workers, photographers, mixed media artists, and more!
Performances & Presentations
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Performances & Presentations
Have you ever wanted to see a one-man band? How about a trio of traveling fiddlers? Or maybe a group of viking reenactors? We've got it all!
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Look here for the schedule of events, free bus route info, and a map of the Hjemkomst Center. (And don't worry, we'll teach you how to say 'Hjemkomst')
Menu, Herring, & Beer Garden
Menu, Herring, & Beer Garden
Program and parking and map, oh my!
Enjoy treats from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland! Food is available for purchase with meal tickets, plus there will be free herring tastings both days of the festival. AND: if you're 21+ enjoy delicious brews from Swing Barrel Brewing Co.
For the Kids! 'Barn Klubb'
Menu, Herring, & Beer Garden
For the Kids! 'Barn Klubb'
Our kids' club has a variety of activities, including stories and crafts with Pippi Longstocking, interactive activities, and Passports! Each booth labelled 'Passport Destination' has fun facts about the country it represents, and a sticker for your passport!
FAQs
Menu, Herring, & Beer Garden
For the Kids! 'Barn Klubb'
Have questions? We (hopefully) have answers! And if you have a question that isn't answered here, feel free to reach out to one of our members (see 'About')
Vendors: Folk Artists & Non-Profits
Fiddle Display
Come see hardanger fiddles in various phases of the creation process! Bud Larson creates these beautiful pieces by hand.
Three Artists' Table
Artists Alison Aune, Piper Bloomquist, and Kirsten Aune will be joining us with an exhibition that features traditional and contemporary Swedish folk paintings and textile designs.
Carlson Rosemaling
Michelle Carlson has been painting since 1992 and is proficient in many Rosemaling styles including Telemark, Rogaland, Os, Hallingdahl, Vest Agder and Gudbrandsdal. She has won many awards for her artwork and even finished a Vesterhiem Apprenticeship.
North Dakota Wooly Girls
North Dakota Wooly Girls is North Dakota’s oldest operating woolen mill. The Wooly Girls create original, handmade wool felt works of art from the wool of their families’ sheep. Their designs are original and are made from 100 percent North Dakota wool.
Stille Skog Woodwork
Stille Skog Woodwork specializes in hand carving anything from spoons and kitchenware to decorative pieces, keeping things as simple as possible.
Nordic Arts
Diane Edwards is an artist who specializes in painting, particularly Rosemaling and Scandinavian styles.
Minnesota Made Nice
"I'm Minnesota Made Nice, I make Nisser, Tomtar and Vikings out of felt and needle felting. I also make candle mats, wall hangings, wine toppers and Scandinavian ornaments. I still work full time so this is just a hobby for me that has turned into a very small business. I can't take credit cards but besides cash, checks or VENMO are okay."
Rachel Koppendrayer Art
Rachael Koppendrayer is an artist, illustrator, writer, and lover of stories.
It is the images of her home and Swedish heritage that continue to inspire her artwork most. She will be bringing colored pencil Dala horse art.
Gnomes by Hjelmen
Lynn Hjelmen, esteemed gnome maker and author of the book 'The Recycled Gnome,' will be joining us this year at the Scandinavian Festival. Lynn specializes in crafting gnomes out of recycled materials, such as sweaters.
Rob Neuteboom, Author
Rob Neuteboom is a writer, a professor and administrator at Rasmussen University, and an enthusiast of myth and fantasy. He has an MFA in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing and Culture from North Dakota State University. The Growing Ax is his first novel, and its sequel, The Fallen Queen, is his second.
STS Foundation
STS Foundation Student Exchange gives American families the opportunity to share their lives and culture with exchange students from around the world by welcoming them into their homes for 5 or 10 months.
Commercial Vendors
JD White, Author
JD is a senior copywriter and columnist currently based in Minnesota. A graduate of the University of Wales, 'The Song of Svain: The Wolf-slayer and the Goat' is his first work of fiction.
Irene's Favorite Things
Irene's Favorite Things is a family store in the business of getting Scandinavian glassware, tableware, bumper stickers, dictionaries, parking signs, and more. They specialize in Finnish products, but also get into Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish gifts!
Flemming Peterson Woodworking
Flemming Peterson grew up in Denmark and moved to Minnesota in 2001, where he has been ever since. He turned his woodworking passion into a business in 2009. In his work he uses a variety of types of wood and finishes each piece with an all-natural, food-safe mineral oil & beeswax finish.
Don't Know Nothin Woodwork
"My works are one of a kind, but are not perfect. They are full of knots, nicks, dents, and other imperfections.
This is what gives them great character, much like our own imperfections, which makes us individual and gives us character."
Baltic Inspirations
"Our product is made in Estonia, the northernmost of the free three Baltic Republics, on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
The art and craft of wool making and garment knitting have been a part of folk culture in Estonia for over 800 years. From this small country a precious few of these garments are available to the world market. Many of our garments are home made on knitting machines yet significant amount of work is also handcrafted."
Nordic Arts, Author
From her love of Nordic Arts and her over twenty-five years of studying and painting the lovely Rosemaling art form, Diane Edwards has published a series of seven unique books.
Nyquist Photography
Cole Nyquist is a professional nature and landscape photographer and woodworker from Minnesota.
Reflections of Minnesota
Erinn Webb is a mixed media artist best known for her multi-layered pieces, featuring saturated colors and a variety of painting techniques.
Stabo Scandinavian Imports
Stabo Scandinavian Imports was established in 1972 in Fargo, ND, and has become an iconic part of the FM Scandinavian community. Stabo carries a wide range of items including glassware,jewelry,sweaters, woodcarvings, novelties, linens, rosemaling, candy, chocolate, food, books and more.
Jeanne Cooney, Author
Jeanne Cooney is the author of the popular Hot Dish Heaven Mystery Series: Hot Dish Heaven, A Second Helping of Murder and Recipes, and A Potluck of Murder and Recipes. Jeanne splits her time between northwestern and central Minnesota.
Performances & Presentations
The Overpopulated One-Man Band
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
Nicknamed the 'Finnish Bard of the Iron Range,' musician, comedian, and daredevil Steve Solkela brings a unique twist to everything he does. He appeals to audiences of all ages and has been known to play 11 instruments in one song.
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
We will be welcoming back Bud Larsen and Erin Renner, the amazing Hardanger fiddle players. They'll be wandering the festival with their fiddles, continuing a beloved festival tradition.
Project: Constellation
Wandering Hardanger Fiddle Players
Project: Constellation
Santiago and Christina are an acoustic-folk-rock-punk-pop (and more) duo from Grand Forks ND. Their songs are influenced anywhere from old Irish folk music to modern day punk, and they will be playing Swedish music.
Northern Sons
Nordic Folkedansklubb
Project: Constellation
Comprised of Tor Kjartansson and Jaeden Alverson, who are also members of 'Walking Phoenix,' this duo will be focusing on Icelandic music. Jaeden does vocals and rhythm guitar and Tor plays over a dozen instruments..
Nordic Folkedansklubb
Nordic Folkedansklubb
Nordic Folkedansklubb
The Nordic Folkedansklubb is a social club that learns and practices Nordic couple folk dances. They will be performing daily, and their dances typically have an opportunity for audience participation!
Nyckelharpist
Nordic Folkedansklubb
Nordic Folkedansklubb
Renee Vaughan plays traditional Scandinavian music on the nyckelharpa, an instrument that has been around for over 700 years. She effortlessly captures the rustic charm and ethereal essence of the Nordic tradition.
Viking Encampment!
"The Viking Encampment is an education-based performance troupe located in the Twin Cities (Minnesota).
We promote education, cultural exchange and fun through active demonstrations and direct interaction with our Vikings."
Valley Ukes
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Check out the Sons of Norway Ukulele Band, the 'Valley Ukes,' who are returning to the festival by popular demand. They host a weekly ukulele circle that is open to all levels of players.
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Kirsten Aune, fiber artist, will be giving a talk on various handcrafted textiles of Swedish origin.
Spelemannslag
Handcrafted Textiles with Swedish Roots
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
The spelemannslag is a Norwegian group of fiddlers who play lively traditional music that's great for dancing!
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
Bruce and Bryce, known on the stage as Ole and Lars, have performed all over the midwest with their self-deprecating humor and musical talent. Fan-favorites as Høstfest, this is their first time joining us at the Scandinavian Festival.
Sons of Norway Accordion Band
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
Special Talk by Tor Kjartansson
The Sons of Norway Accordion Band is exactly what it sounds like: a hoot! Enjoy these talented musicians as they lead you through a delightful afternoon of song.
Special Talk by Tor Kjartansson
Ole & Lars Comedy and Music Duo
Special Talk by Tor Kjartansson
Join us for a special surprise topic with Tor Kjartansson--we don't know what it is, but it's going to be good!
Tours of the historic Stave Church behind the Hjemkomst Center will be offered every hour at the 30 minute mark. (10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, & 4:30) both days of the festival.
Swedish Folk Painting: Storytelling Through Art
Swedish Folk Painting: Storytelling Through Art
Swedish Folk Painting: Storytelling Through Art
Pieper Fleck Bloomquist, a Minnesota native and current Grand Forks, ND resident, has been painting in the Scandinavian and Austrian styles of folk art since 1993. Pieper loves the art of storytelling. She creates art that reflects the cultural life of a community that shares a common heritage. Learn more about it at her talk!
Nordic Diet
Swedish Folk Painting: Storytelling Through Art
Swedish Folk Painting: Storytelling Through Art
Join Julie Garden Robinson PhD for a talk on the Nordic Diet with bingo and prizes! Julie is well-known in the area for her weekly dietary article in the Farmer's Forum.
Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Loraine Jensen, founder and President of the American Association for Runic Studies, will be giving a talk on runes and runic inscriptions with a focus on Sweden.
Nordic Knitting Heroes
Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Runes and Runic Inscriptions
Stephanie Anderson, fiber artist, beekeeper, and co-founder of the Pine to Prairie Folk School in Fosston, will be giving a talk on Nordic knitting heroes!
FREE Bus to the Festival!
LinkFM event service will be operating on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, 9:30am to 5:30pm, during the Scandinavian Festival at the Hjemkomst Center. This FREE route will operate as a continuous loop through downtown Moorhead and Fargo, with various park and ride locations along the route. Click the link below for more!
*Regular parking is available for free in the Hjemkomst Center parking lot.
Enjoy the Beer Garden with Swing Barrel Brewing Co.!
Enjoy a delicious selection of local beers provided by Swing Barrel Brewing Co. out of downtown Moorhead.
Enjoy Free Herring Tastings from our Sponsor Olsen Fish Co.
Free pickled herring samples will be available both days of the festival from 10-5 at the cafe! Varieties include Creamy Dill, Cajun, Wine Sauce, and Smoked!
MenuS are provided by Scandinavian Culture Clubs
How does the food court work?
Instead of cash, our food court operates with Meal Tickets that you can use to purchase all sorts of different Scandinavian foods from the cultural clubs. One table selling meal tickets will be located at the festival entrance and one will be located at the entrance of the food court.
Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased day-of at the festival. Tickets are typically sold in bunches of 5, 10, or 20, but can be purchased in any quantity/increment.
Cash and card will NOT be accepted for food, however, cash/card is accepted at the beer garden, by our vendors, and for other items at the festival! Leftover Meal Tickets can be returned to either of the tables for cash or donated to the festival... or you can use them to grab some treats to go!
Notice
All foods are prepared by volunteers from the various cultural clubs and may contain common allergens. Please ask at individual tables about allergens and food restrictions.
NCC is not responsible for any reactions that may occur.
Barn Klubb
Pippi Longstocking
Pippi Longstocking will be joining us at this year's festival! She'll be telling stories, leading craft activities, and helping kids make their own Pippi Longstocking-style names!
Making Mini Maypoles
Alison Aune will be teaching kids to make mini May Poles from 1:15-2 pm each day! All materials are provided free of cost, and 20 spots are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Dala Horse Painting
Dala horses, known for their bright colors and sweet design, are a traditional Swedish children's toy. Local artist Jill Johnson will be leading dala horse painting from 2-4 pm both days under the canopy outside the Stave Church. All materials are provided free of cost, so customize your own!
Nyckelharpa Interactive Experience
From 11:15-12 each day, renowned nyckelharpist Renee Vaughan will talk to kids about the traditional nyckelharpa in a fun and interactive exhibit experience.
Passport Stations
Kids can pick up their passports at the festival entrance, and get them stamped by Pippi Longstocking herself at the Barn Klubb! There will also be passport stations throughout the festival, so kids can fill out their passports and learn about the different Nordic countries!
Continuous Crafts and Stories
There will be dozens of different crafts, activities, and stories told throughout both days of the festival in the Barn Klubb, so make sure to check it out!
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors
