Barnetog: a 50 Year Nordic Fest Tradition

The 2007 Nordic Fest Barnetog, or Children's Parade

In Norway, it is a longstanding tradition to have local children march before the King on Syttende Mail, Norway's Constitution Day each May 17 in a procession known by the Norwegian word "barnetog."

Since the first Nordic Fest in 1967, this tradition has been honored with a Barnetog that has often just proceeded or been an early entry in the Nordic Fest Grand Parade.

In an 1967 letter that went out to Decorah area youth promoting the first Barnetog, there were actually two opportunities for children to march:

• A Barnetog formally kicked off the first Nordic Fest when local youth marched from Rock Island Park (next to the current Fjeltsul Funeral Home) to the Winneshiek County Courthouse Square on Thursday, July 27, 1967. Once the youth arrived at the Courthouse Square, Opening Ceremonies began.
• A second barnetog in 1967 marched from Rock Island Park to the Norwegian-American Museum 30 minutes before the start of the Grand Parade on Saturday, July 29, 1967.
• These first two parades were chaired by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Engebretson. 

In this letter, all local youth were encouraged to please march. Dressing in Norwegian costumes was encouraged. The basic format of the Barnetog has remained the same for nearly 50 years.

Did you march in the Nordic Fest Barnetog? Share your memories in the comments section below. 

An Example of Evolving Costs Over 50 Years of Nordic Fest

An entry by Decorah artist Norma Wangsness in the National Rosemaling Exhibition hosted by Vesterheim during Nordic Fest

Discovered during #nordicfest50 book research is a May 12, 1967 letter sent by the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah promoting their classes with renowned Norwegian rosemaler Sigmund Aarseth, who came to Decorah during the first Nordic Fest time frame. 

Highlights of this letter are an interesting illustration of evolving costs over 50 years: 

• Sigmund taught two week-long classes just after Nordic Fest holding up to eight students each. Week long course registration was $40.

• Students could stay at Luther College for $7.50 for six nights, or $8.50 for seven nights.

• Rooms at the Hotel Winneshiek cost $6.00 and up per night for air conditioned rooms and $4.00 per night for rooms with no air conditioning. 

Sigmund also served as a judge at the first National Rosemaling Exhibition during the first Nordic Fest. The committee that organized this first event included:

• Peg Wright, chair
• Dorrie Olson
• Lila Nelson
• Marion Nelson

Nordic Dancers: Public Research Help Needed

Nordic Dancers performed at the first Nordic Fest and remain  perennial favorite performers of event guests. Students, directors and their families dedicate a decade of their lives to sharing authentic cultural dancing. Nordic Dancers are an integral part of Nordic Fest.  

As part of the #nordicfest50 research process, one full group photo of Nordic Dancer group is needed and encouraged from those connected to each group, eleven total to date. Assistance with identification of group members is also needed. 

The details of the eleven Nordic Dancer groups to date are listed below, with the two groups for whom photos and identification have been confirmed noted. Thanks to group two and group seven volunteers! 

• Group one included 20 student dancers, directed by Betty Hacker, who performed together from 1967 to 1969.
• Group two included 24 student dancers, also directed by Betty Hacker, who performed together from 1969 to 1977. (photo confirmed) 
• Group three included 24 student dancers, directed by Betty Hacker as well as Pastor Paul and Lois Christenson. This group performed together from 1973 to 1982.
• Group four included 24 student dancers, directed by Pastor Paul and Lois Christenson. This group performed together from 1978 to 1988. 
• Group five included 30 student dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Betty Hacker, Pastor Paul and Lois Christsenson, as well as Jon and Mary Hart. Theses students performed together from 1984 to 1993. 
• Group six included 24 student dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Jon and Mary Hart. These students performed together from 1989 to 1998.
• Group seven included 32 students dancers and 7 musicians. The musicians were directed by Jeanette Spilde and the dancers by Ela Uhl, as well as Jon and Mary Hart. These students performed together from 1994 to 2003. (photo confirmed) 
• Group eight included 24 student dancers and 7 musicians, directed by Ken & Ruth Procter and Jennifer Larson. These students performed together from 1999 to 2008.
• Group nine included 32 student dancers and 7 musicians. Musicians were directed by Jennifer Larson and the dancers by Jim & Ann Kephart, as well as Deb & Kelly Reagan. These students performed together from 2004 to 2013. 
• Group ten, the current senior group of Nordic Dancers includes 30 student dancers and the usual musicians. Directors are Jim & Ann Kephart, as well as Dan & Lisa Lundtvedt. This group started performing together in 2005.
• Group eleven, the current junior group of Nordic Dancers includes 36 student dancers who performed at their first Nordic Fest in 2014. They are directed by Amy Bruening, Elizabeth Bruening, Jeni Holtan Grouws and David Grouws. 

To discuss details on having your Nordic Dancer photo scanned and its members identified, contact dawn sh at gmail dot com. Thank you! 

A 1970 Message That Still Resonates Today

Nordic Fest founders Harry Olson and the late Gary Svenson near the former Hardy's Western Auto before an early Nordic Fest

Apparently questions about how Nordic Fest came to be were quite frequent, even in the early years of the event. The 1970 Nordic Fest program, a pale pastel color, 8 1/2" x 11" in size with an elegant cover designed by the late Laura Hoeg, includes the following quote about Nordic Fest that has remained unchanged through this event's stellar history:

The people of Decorah have combined the efforts of many of their regular celebrations into the Nordic Fest. The purpose of the Fest is to extend to all people the opportunity to share Decorah's Scandinavian heritage. The Fest is sponsored by a nonprofit corporation founded by Decorah people and is cultural rather than commercial in nature.

Church dinners featuring Scandinavian treats, community dinners connected to today's Syttende Mai Norwegian Constitution Day holiday, evening folk music celebrations in local barns and many other memorable moments happened in Decorah throughout its extensive Norwegian cultural history that dates back to the 1850's. All such activities laid important ground work for the future success of Nordic Fest, which started a little more than 100 years after Decorah did. 

Nordic Fest brought all the great pieces of Decorah's beauty and heritage together on an unprecedented scale. It is not possible in a short time frame to fully cover entire history of Decorah. Because of this, the #nordicfest50 history process focuses exclusively on the effort that started in the community in 1966 and resulted in 50 years of last full weekend in July celebration the world has come to know and love: Nordic Fest. 

Nordic Fest Annual Themes: A Brief History

A common question from community members and regular Nordic Fest attendees is "What is the Nordic Fest theme this year?" Recognition of this question was a good reason to do a little research on the history of the use of themes in each Nordic Fest. 

The use of themes along with the annual Nordic Fest first happened in 1980, which was its 14th year. Early themes used include:

• 1980: Viking Adventure
• 1981: Celebrate Scandinavia
• 1982: Scandinavia Today
• 1983: Sing, Dance and Be Glad
• 1984: Scandinavian Folktales
• 1985: God Jul i Juli (Christmas in July)
• 1986: Trollheim: Home of the Trolls
• 1987: Land of the Midnight Sun
• 1988: Our Scandinavian Heritage
• 1989: Dreams of Norway
• 1990: Gateway to Our Heritage
• 1991: Silver Salute to Scandinavia 
• 1992: Nordic Nonsense
• 1993: A Taste of Norway
• 1994: Just for the Sport of It
• 1995: The Trolls Are Alive in '95
• 1996: Nordic Fest: An Iowa Family Tradition
• 1997: A Scandinavian Sampler
• 1998: See Nordic Fest Again for the First Time
• 1999: Passport to Norway
• 2000: 2000 Reasons to Love Nordic Fest 

What is your favorite Nordic Fest theme, whether listed here or not?

Photo credit above: Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/duncan/

Nordic Fest Button: A 20 Year Tradition

One of the challenges faced by Nordic Fest over its long history has been how to diversify its income sources for greater financial stability. Another challenge has been how to have Nordic Fest attendees make small contributions to event costs while operating throughout Decorah without a formal gated venue. 

Both of those challenges were first successfully addressed in 1995 with the introduction of the Nordic Fest button for the Fest, themed "The Trolls Are Alive in '95." During that first year, purchase of a Nordic Fest button gained the wearer admission to the following special activities:

• Antique show and sale
• Budweiser Clydesdale housing location 
• Decorah City Bus Tours  
• Drum and Bugle Corp Exhibition 
• Heirloom quilt show
• Threshing demonstration at Farm Park 

In the past 20 years, the exact details of the Nordic Fest button have evolved. During that time, nearly all Nordic Fest events have been free or only required a Nordic Fest button for admission. During those same 20 years, the button income has become a meaningful portion of annual Nordic Fest income, and an easy way for all attendees to make a small contribution. The button income helps ensure the longevity and strength of Nordic Fest. 

  

If you've bought a Nordic Fest button in the past, thank you for helping make the event stronger. When you join the 2015 Nordic Fest in a just a few weeks, please consider a button purchase to keep the strength of Nordic Fest moving forward.