Nordic Fest Events of Yesteryear: The Norse Dialect Humor Show

An early Nordic Fest entertainment photo (L to R):
 Connie Bolson, Charlotte Hexom, Eunice Stoen and Paul Hexom. 
Photo courtesy of Paul Hexom, past Nordic Fest board president and longtime volunteer 

A particularly interesting part of #nordicfest50 research to date has been learning more about the events of yesteryear that delighted audiences for a portion of the five decades. One such event the wonderful Paul Hexom has been kind enough to share with me is the Norse Dialect Humor Show. 

This event took place at the 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 Nordic Fests to standing room only crowds. It was organized by Betty Nelson Seegmiller, who served as assistant to Dr. Marion Nelson at Vesterheim.

As the 1968 program states:

A favorite type of entertainment among early Norwegian-Americans is being revived with the presentation of the Norse Dialect Humor Show. Dialect songs grew to be very popular since pioneer days. Humorous dialect shows were a big success at county fairs and other public events in the Midwest. We hope their revival at the Nordic Fest will stir memories of many older visitors, as well as the interest of the younger generation with entertainment they may classify as "camp." 

Example pieces of those shows include the following presentations:

• The Nincompoop Song 
• Til Mabel's Vedding 
• The Object of My Affection by Yorgi Yorgensen 
• A Surprise for the Preacher 
• Just a Little Lefse Will Go A Long Way 
• Someone Spiked the Punch at Lena's Wedding

Performers in the Norse Dialect Humor Show included:

• Ellen Blegen
• Connie Bolson
• Karla Ellingson 
• Mrs. Agnes Estrem
• Scott Estrem
• Paul Hexom
• Mrs. Charles Houck 
• Curt Moen
• Gyda Norheim
• Victor Norheim 
• Ida Saquitne
• Melba Selland
• Thea Stoen

As the 48th Nordic Fest gets underway next week, what are your memories of the Norse Dialect Humor Show? What are your favorite Nordic Fest events of yesteryear?