Nordic Fest: Creative Inspiration

A scan of original logo developed for the first Nordic Fest and used for many years

The experience of enjoying Nordic Fest has served as creative inspiration for many over the years, as seen in this example poem written by Valdorf T. Moe of Decorah. The poem was published with the 1989 official Nordic Fest program:

Our little town will burst its seams

In realization of its dreams.

From all four corners of the Nation,

Come crowds filled with anticipation.

Norwegian coloring is there,

With eyes of blue and flaxen hair.

Arts and crafts are on display,

For all to see, day after day.

Folk dances on the Court House Square,

Cause eager crowds to gather there. 

Scandinavian pastries hold full sway,

With Smorgasbords served every day.

Time well filled with simple pleasure,

Our cup oe'rflowing without measure.

Those, whose fathers sailed the sea,

Are proud of their ancestry.

Our friend, whose origin was Killarney,

Speaks broken Norse with Irish blarney.

So three short days go all too soon,

The Street Singers will still their tune.

So as we watch our friends depart,

We know that they have won our heart.

Then we will wait for future years,

To welcome all, again, "with cheers."

And they, in turn, will hold as blessed,

The days they spent at Nordic Fest.

Thank you, Valdorf for sharing your gift of writing and your love of this event with the Nordic Fest 26 years ago!