50 Nordic Fest Years: How Did We Get Here?

The incredible Decorah volunteers pictured above represent a partial gathering of the men and women who have taken on the presidency of the Nordic Fest board. To all Nordic Fest board presidents and members: thank you for all you've done to bring Nordic Fest to nearly 50 years. 

Today's blog addresses one of the most common questions received in Nordic Fest 50 efforts to date: If Nordic Fest celebrates 50 years in 2016, that means it started in 1966, right?

Not quite. 

One of the biggest 50th anniversary events in recent memory is the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, commemorated in Dallas and throughout the world on November 22, 2013. 

Special events are unique from historical events, birthdays and most other events and milestones we use to mark our lives and our communities. 

The first anniversary of the Kennedy assassination wasn't remembered until November 22, 1964, one year after the event. The same is true for birthdays, wedding anniversaries and more. 

By comparison, Nordic Fest and other special events kick off their existence with year one. As a result, the first Nordic Fest actually took place July 27-30, 1967. 

As a result of the "year one" start of special events, the 50th Nordic Fest will actually take place the month before the 50th anniversary of the first official Nordic Fest planning meeting, which will be in August 2016. 

Thank you for joining in the early story gathering and celebration of 50 years of Nordic Fest. To submit your personal Nordic Fest story for this blog, email nordicfest50 at gmail dot com.