Nordic Fest 50 Book/DVD Project Proceeds Donated

The team of volunteers who worked on the book/DVD combo “Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong,”represented here by project co-chair Erik Anundsen, right, presented Chris Johnson, President/CEO of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, left, with a check for $8,334.24. The check represents proceeds from sales of the commemorative book/DVD combo through the end of August. 

This amount, made possible by the project’s donors and 700 book/DVD purchasers, will be used to fund the baseline costs for Vesterheim to review the extensive Nordic Fest archives over the course of the next two years and properly preserve them, making them available for future researchers. 

A limited number of copies still remain and are available in the Vesterheim Museum Store.

Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong Book & DVD Combo Now Available for Sale at Vesterheim

The book and DVD combo entitled "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong" is now available for sale at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum Store, 502 West Water Street in Decorah.

The Museum Store is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in Decorah. The book will be placed online at a later date. 

Prior to, during and immediately after Nordic Fest, approximately 70% of the first print order sold. The remaining copies will be available at Vesterheim while supplies last.  

Stay tuned to this space for future announcements on the Nordic Fest archive project at Vesterheim. 

While Announcements Come Together, Revisiting Thanks

It was 50 years ago this fall that members of the Decorah Jaycees and the Norwegian American Museum started developing their plans for the 50th annual Nordic Fest the following July. For five decades, Nordic Fest has filled the last full weekend in July with memories to last a lifetime. 

The volunteer-driven project, "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong" attempted to celebrate a sense of the magic of this 50 year event in a 304 page full color book with space to record the reader's own favorite memories, as well as a companion DVD. 

Watch this space for more announcements soon on the start of the Nordic Fest archives being established at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, history project results and impact, as well as the location where you may still pickup your copy of the book and DVD combo entitled, "Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong."

While these final details come together, it's worth taking another moment to thank at least the categories of people who, just like when Nordic Fest itself was being created 50 years ago, came together, rolled up their sleeves and pitched in for the good of the community. 

Mange tusen takk igjen to:

• Book team members Erik Anundsen, Adrienne Leseth Coffeen, Cam Leseth Forde, Paul Hexom, Josh Holland, Deb Paulson/Zelda Productions, Harley Refsal, Tyler Rinken, as well as Don & Julie Wurtzel.
• The many people and organizations who donated the use of their articles and photographs to ensure the beautiful historical and visual story of Nordic Fest could be told on its 50th anniversary. 
• The dozens of community members who participated in interviews, helped check details, made needed connections and more.
•  The team at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum who are taking on the Nordic Fest archives in follow up to this project.
• Everyone who bought a book or books to share this story and ensure the success of the project. 

A Note on Dr. Marion Nelson

Dr. Marion and Lila Nelson, photo courtesy Vesterheim

The following letter to the editor appeared in an August 2016 issue of the Decorah Newspapers and is used here with permission:

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Decorah on a great 50^th Nordic Fest, and mange takk to everyone who purchased a 50^th anniversary Nordic Fest book and DVD! Some copies are still available as you plan Christmas gifts and more. Contact nordicfest 50 at gmail dot com with any questions.

Nordic Fest volunteers dedicate massive behind the scenes passion and effort towards creating the enjoyment of this event. These volunteers are the core of Nordic Fest for all 50 years. For every moment enjoyed at Nordic Fest over 50 years, hundreds of volunteer hours have been committed behind the scenes toward making those experiences possible.

Whether you’ve loved every moment of your Nordic Fests or were upset by a few moments in one parade, consider raising your hand for the Nordic Fest board when the time comes this fall for elections. The experience will likely help you appreciate even more the 50 years of stunning enjoyment community benefit enabled by board and other volunteers.

With that said, the perfectly imperfect process of volunteering means there are times when clarifications are in order due to unintended oversights. During Opening Ceremonies and the Nordic Fest parade, one of the seven Nordic Fest founders, Dr. Marion Nelson of Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum was inadvertently left off of the recognition list.

Marion became the director of what was then the Norwegian American Museum in 1965 and helped the fledgling Nordic Fest ensure authenticity in its planning via the Museum connection and his deep scholarship and passion. His many Nordic Fest contributions include development of the first Folk Art School at Vesterheim for the first Fest in 1967, selection of the last full weekend in July for Nordic Fest due to its historically traveled and rain-free status, and a Folk Music Festival that enhanced Nordic Fest for many years.

Marion and his wife Lila remained an important ongoing part of the Nordic Fest team until their retirement from Vesterheim in 1991 after the 25^th Nordic Fest. Although Marion passed away in 2000, his wife Lila served as a key resource during the research project for this book.

The recognized founding Jaycees – Jerry Aulwes, Mike Dahly, Harry Olson, Darrell Pierce and Gary Svenson (my father), as well as community member and Vesterheim board member Phyllis Leseth all made massive contributions to that first Nordic Fest. Thanks for helping me note that Dr. Marion Nelson did as well.

Regards,

Dawn Svenson Holland

Cedar Rapids, Iowa