Guest post: Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book & DVD Well Worth It

Editor's Note: While book sales are currently paused to allow for the Nordic Fest fiscal year end, watch this space for more information about where to get your book soon! 

The following letter about the project appeared in the July 22, 2016 Decorah Newspapers and is used with permission. Thank you, Cam! 

Dear Editor:

Decorah is about to make headlines again. Nordic Fest is celebrating its 50th year. As a special tribute to commemorate Decorah’s 50-year celebration of all things Norwegian and to preserve its history, Dawn Svenson-Holland has written a book called “Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong.”  

Dawn’s father, Gary, was a member of the original board that started planning events a year before the first Fest in July of 1967. His records, files, and pictures were the backbone of the book. Her additional research resulted in many interviews where people shared information, anecdotes, and memories from past Fests. The book is 304 pages long and is filled with details and pictures from each year of the Fest along with chapters dedicated to specific topics such as the planning the first Nordic Fest, Vesterheim, and the Nordic Dancers. There is even a DVD with footage of the first Nordic Fest that is included in the purchase of the book.

All profits will go to Vesterheim so they will be able to archive, catalog, and permanently store all Nordic Fest records.

I urge everyone to buy a copy of this new book, which documents the efforts of the community in putting on an ethnic celebration that has brought thousands of people to our town. Residents have been supportive of the Nordic Fest in so many ways. Working at booths, decorating windows, being in the parade, putting on church suppers, preparing Norwegian delicacies, watching the Nordic Dancers, listening to the Luren Singers, participating in races, dancing in the streets, seeing the fireworks, and enjoying the many musicians and entertainers are some of the many ways we’ve showcased our community with visitors, friends and family. 

The focus of the Nordic Fest has always been Decorah’s Scandinavian roots so exhibits at Vesterheim, indoors and out, have been popular. Handicrafts from all over the U.S. are entered in competitions in folk art. Each year there are countless volunteers who make the Fest work.  The book gives an overview of the complexity of the Fest with all its parts and gives credit and recognition to all the groups who make the Fest the success it has been for 50 years.

This book is a valuable history in one volume and well worth the price. I urge you to buy this keepsake book. Anyone who has been involved in the Fest or enjoyed the Fest as a visitor will be impressed and fascinated by all the details. Thank you, Dawn, for taking on the monumental task of documenting the Nordic Fest. 

Cam Forde

Decorah

Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book Project Fun Facts

The Nordic Fest 50th anniversary book project continues as plans are underway to establish the Nordic Fest archives with Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum. 

As the book team knows from the recent years of effort on this project, this is a major undertaking. To Jennifer and the entire Vesterheim team, your efforts are truly appreciated! 

Some copies of the book and DVD combo are still available for sale here;  http://www.nordicfest.com/site/nordic-fest-50-book.html

The following are a few interesting notes from the project to date:

1. To date, shipments of purchased books have gone to 21 U.S states.
2.  One 90 years young Decorah native received a surprise book and return trip to Decorah for the 50th Nordic Fest.
3. The United States Jaycee Headquarters in Chesterfield, Missouri have added a book to their archives in honor of Nordic Fest starting as a Jaycee project. 
4. Decorah's own Nordic Dancers presented a book to the US Embassy in Norway during their post-Nordic Fest tour of Norway. 
5. The Norwegian-American Historical Association at St. Olaf College added a book to their collection. 
6. Many area residents, Decorah and Nordic Fest fans, as well as businesses and organizations made multiple book purchases, enabling the success of the project. 

Mange tusen takk, everyone! 

What Nordic Fest Memories are Going in the Back of Your Book?

What favorite Nordic Fest memories are you writing in the back of your copy of "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong," or what new journeys has reading the book taken you on?

One book reader shared that a photo from the first Nordic Fest in the book reminded her of a bunad her late mother made for her. This Decorah resident wore the bunad to serve lemonade at the Porter House Museum during the first Nordic Fest, which also marked the first time the Museum grounds were open to the public. 

When this Decorah resident locates this family heirloom bunad, it will be passed on to her granddaughter, who is named in her mother's honor. Nordic Fest traditions continue on indeed!

If you still would like a copy of the "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong" book and DVD combination, visit the Nordic Fest website to place an online order. Orders may be placed for pickup at the Decorah Area Chamber or shipment to you. 

All project proceeds support the permanent placement and proper organization of the Nordic Fest archives with the event's 50-year partner, Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum. 

If you would like to submit your favorite Nordic Fest memories for a future guest blog post here, please comment below or email nordic fest 50 at gmail dot com. 

Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong: Some Copies Still Available

Some copies of the book and DVD combo entitled, "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong" are still available online at www.nordicfest.com for $50 each. Proceeds support the project to permanently place the Nordic Fest archives with Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum starting in late 2016.

This historical Nordic Fest retrospective features 304 full color pages, a section at the back to record your own Nordic Fest memories, and a DVD with movie footage from the first Nordic Fest in 1967, as well as a digitized copy of a promotional video from the 25th Nordic Fest. 

Purchased books may either be picked up at the Decorah Area Chamber at no charge or shipped by the project at a cost starting at $8 for one book. 

Book purchaser Rebecca Hanna said, "It was delightful reading about all the Nordic Fests of the past 50 years and seeing all the photos of so many Decorah residents and volunteers that I happen to recognize. Even though I wasn’t present at all the fests, I made the first one and the last thirty-some years. I’m glad I picked up this keepsake book so I can keep reliving these fond moments from the past.” 

Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book Project: Preliminary Results

What a wonderful 50th Nordic Fest just wrapped up in Decorah!

Watch this space for additional reporting soon, but here's a look at preliminary success indicators for the Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book project. You made this success happen: mange tusen takk!

1. Before anyone had seen the results of the project (first available to the community on July 16), incredible community volunteers and Nordic Fest fans invested in 420 books and DVDs.
2. The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce staff and volunteers made significant contributions to this project by providing a local presale purchase as well as book pickup location. 
3. Early project supporters donated more than $5,000 to the project. This allowed for the following project expenses to be covered prior to the start of book sales:
• Professional transcribing of interviews
• Purchase of a DVD burner, DVDs and cases to accompany each book 
• Partial book layout expenses
4. Massive in-kind support was dedicated to this project by volunteers who researched and wrote the book, edited it, wrote the introduction, scanned the photos, produced the DVD and more.