Fest booths raise big bucks: guest post

Today's guest post from Decorah Newspapers staff member Roz Weis, a copyright article from 1990, is a good reminder of the tremendous good Nordic Fest has done over the years for area nonprofit organizations, a key non-commercial focus all 50 years that may not be universally understood. Used with permission. 

Whether you savored a piece of krumkake or delighted in a spicy varme polser during last weekend's Nordic Fest, you directly helped raise funds for worthwhile causes in the area. 

Local church groups sponsored Scandinavian smorgasbords and organizers reported standing-room-only crowds. Most churches sold out as avid Fest-goers sampled a delicious variety of local traditional Norwegian foods.

Beta Sigma Phi Sorority chapters in Decorah sponsored the varme polser booth on Water Stret all three days of the Fest. The booth served up the spicy potato sausages wrapped in lefse, as well as homemade potato donuts, coffee and soda pop. They volunteers raised approximately $3,500. After expenses, the funds will be used for several worthy causes. Members voted to use the majority of proceeds to purchase playground equipment for the handicapped in the Decorah School System. A portion of the money is annually earmarked for scholarships.

Sunflower Child Care Center of Decorah is $4,000 richer after volunteers manned the bratwurst booth during the Nordic Fest. According to Sunflower Director Kathy Schwartzhoff the funds will be used for playground equipment for the new center. The booth served bratwurst and sauerkraut, hot dogs, Norwegian sweet soup and soda pop. The annual bratwurst stand is the major fundraiser for the year for Sunflower workers. 

Sons of Norway Lodge in Decorah reports a banner year at their booth. The lodge members served lefse, meatballs, ligonberries (straight from Norway) rice cream (a rice dish with almost flavoring and fresh strawberry garnish), and beverages. Sons of Norway District President Don Olsen of Decorah said the booth was popular this year, having sold out of meatballs and lefse by Saturday afternoon. Funds raised in the booth are used to sponsor lodge activities, scholarship programs, and other causes.

Nordic Dancers sponsored another downtown food booth during the Fest, serving sandbakkels, rosettes, krumkake and kringle. Proceeds from the booth total approximately $1,500 after expenses and are added to the group's main trip fund. (for a large trip taken near the end of ten years' performing at Nordic Fest and many other events). 

Decorah Band Boosters report a very good weekend, with proceed totals not available at press time. Coordinator Donna Sailor said the funds will go towards the purchase of new band uniforms at the high school as the program will be enlarged when the high school expands to a four-year program. The Band Boosters served kransekake (Norwegian wedding cake), ice cream sandwiches. lemonade and ice tea.

Decorah Jaycees continued a long tradition selling Danish Aebelskivers (a puff pancake served with a variety of sweet toppings),  Organizers report a big crowd this year, with a continuous stream of customers during the three-day Fest. The group had sold out by early Sunday afternoon. The $800 in proceeds will used towards the many local organizations and causes supported by the group during the year.

The young members of the Glenwood Future Homemakers 4-H Club sold out of sandbakkels during the Fest, with a total amount of proceeds not yet available. Organizers said the funds will be used for the group's summer club trip, and for the community projects sponsored during the year. 

Waffles with ice cream and fruit toppings drew Fest-goers to the Luther College Basketball team's booth in downtown Decorah. Rolf Kopperud, organized, said nearly $1,000 was raised, with funds earmarked for the team's trip to Iceland or Norway next year. They take an international trip every four years.

The Northeast Iowa Refugee Coordination Services Agency sponsored a krumkake demonstration and sale during the Fest for the first time this year. The group raised over $500 after expenses, and matching funds are being donated by the Winnake Branch of Lutheran Brotherhood. The money will be used to help refugees in Northeast Iowa for education purposes, according to Midge Kjome, coordinator of the project.

Several other organizations, including the Decorah Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps, Decorah Flying Club, Winneshiek Beef Producers, Winneshiek Pork Producers, American Lutheran Church Men and Good Shepherd Women sponsored booths with Scandinavian baked goods, sandwiches and beverages.

As the year of the 50th Nordic Fest is about to start, a toast to 50 years of:

• Hard working bakers and cooks
• Hard working booth volunteers
• Hungry patrons who make a difference for great Decorah area organizations with their Nordic Fest purchases!