The Beautiful Tradition of the Nordic Fest Bunad Show

Nordic Fest Bunad Show Founder, the late Grace Rikansrud

As Norway prepares to celebrate its Constitution Day tomorrow, beautiful costumes known as bunads will be present throughout the country. The annual Bunad Show first became a staple of each summer's Nordic Fest during the mid-1970's.  

In addition to Grace Rikansrud's Bunad Show leadership, she led efforts to showcase needlework via Vesterheim and Nordic Fest, and was one of many in Decorah whose contributions were so significant to the community and Nordic Fest, they are difficult to fully track. 

Grace, a true artisan with the embroidery needle, continues to bring beauty to the annual Nordic Fest bunad show via the authentic Norwegian celebration costumes of her daughters, Betty Nelson and Alphea Iverson, who still serve as models.

For Betty's bunad, Grace had the fabric shipped from Norway, sewed the bunad and did all the embroidery. The intricate nature of the embroidery is not currently matched via retail store clothing. 

Alphea's bunad came from Hallingdal, Norway, where her father was originally from. Betty's bunad is also created in authentic Hallingdal style.

Each year, models showcase authentic slices of different regions of Norway via the Nordic Fest Bunad show. Thousands of dollars of value in authentic costumes and stunning jewelry may be appreciated during the show. Models dress up regardless of the heat and humidity.  Bunads may also be seen throughout Decorah during Nordic Fest. 

While many Bunad Show models hail from Decorah, others travel to participate every year and share their common appreciation of authentic Norwegian heritage celebration. 

Thank you, Grace for the beautiful, authentic tradition you started! 

The limited edition Nordic Fest 50th anniversary book is now available for pre-sale at 23% off its rate during Nordic Fest. Online pre-sales are available through Monday, July 4, 2016.  It includes 22 chapters, great photos, a spot to record your favorite Nordic Fest memories and a DVD with movie footage from the first event in 1967. Reserve your piece of Nordic Fest history today: http://www.nordicfest.com/site/nordic-fest-50-book.html