Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book Presales Start May 1

Nordic Fest 50^th Anniversary Book Presales Start May 1

The Nordic Fest Board recently approved the plan for presales for the limited-edition book “Nordic Fest, 50 Years Strong,” which launch in May via the following options:

1.      Decorah area residents may place a presale order starting Monday, May 2, with cash or check during regular business hours at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, 507 West Water Street. Presale customers will be asked to fill out a brief form confirming their order details.
2.       Anyone may place a presale order on the Nordic Fest website starting Sunday, May 1, following the links and on-screen instructions at http://www.nordicfest.com

During the presale time, the following policies apply to both in-person and online orders:

•         The presale cost for each book is $50. During Nordic Fest, the cost will be $65 per book.
•         There is a limit of five books that may be ordered per person.

The book includes 22 chapters and a detailed appendix that shares many aspects of the 50-year history of Decorah’s Nordic Fest, along with a section at the end for the reader to record his or her personal favorite Nordic Fest memories. The book also comes with a DVD that includes archival footage of the first Nordic Fest shot by a film making professional whose family donated this treasure to the history project, as well as digitized version of a 1991 VHS promotional video made for the 25^th Nordic Fest.  

Book project proceeds will support the permanent placement of the Nordic Fest archives at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum later in 2016.

“Vesterheim’s Folk Art School has been intimately linked to Nordic Fest since the beginning and this year, we celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of both. Our city has every reason to be proud during this landmark year, and the Museum is honored to be named the repository of this valuable collection of Decorah and Norwegian-American history and culture,” said Vesterheim’s Registrar Jennifer Kovarik.

“We thank the wonderful community members who have been so dedicated to keep the Nordic Fest so vibrant . Without their support as well as all of Fest goers, we would not be here to celebrate 50 years.  This book is truly a great treasure to own. I encourage everyone to purchase one for their homes and businesses,” said 2016 Nordic Fest Co-President Cindy Schissel.

“The Nordic Fest 50^th anniversary book celebrates the beautiful story of this uniquely nonprofit, noncommercial special event. How appropriate that Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, the critical partner of Nordic Fest for all 50 years, will become the permanent home of the event’s archival treasures. Your purchase of a copy of the book helps make proper Nordic Fest archival record preservation possible,” said book project co-chair Dawn Svenson Holland.

Nordic Fest Favorite: Ricky Rowray

From 1996 until 2012, one of the favorite entertainers at Nordic Fest and many locations throughout the Midwest was balloon artist Ricky Roway. He left his mark on the families of Nordic Fest through colorful balloons easy to spot down Water Street, big smiles and forever memories.

Ricky, who was deaf from birth, served as a magician for 47 years. The above KGAN news story on this Cedar Rapids native gives perspective on his impact on Nordic Fest, too.

Although Ricky passed away in early 2013, his legacy lives on in the forever memories he created. The following hopeful note was used in his obituary:

One of Rickie’s favorite sayings was “Can Do.” He lived his life with an optimistic attitude in everything that he did. He accomplished so much within his family, community, state and his travels. His antics and talents brought joy to children and adults alike. His deafness never limited his imagination and creativity. He strived to do the best in all that he did and brought you a smile with his “Can Do” attitude.

Thank you, Ricky for brightening Nordic Fest and so many lives with you "can do" attitude, and the magic you brought to life! 

Loved Decorah's Nordic Fest: 1987 review

The following copyright letter to the editor appeared in Decorah Newspapers following the 1987 Nordic Fest. Used with permission. 

Dear Editor:

Having attended our first Nordic Fest with you last Friday and Saturday, I must tell you what a grand time we had: my newly retired husband, 7-year-old grandson, 10-year old granddaughter and myself.

In looking back, I don't remember one cross person. Dispositions were sunny, cheerful and helpful in all respects, even though you must have been very warm in the costumes you wore. 

Ethnic food, music and dancing demonstrations and crafts were a delight. Our granddaughter, after being chosen one of the "judges" of the lutefisk eating contest, may one day even be persuaded to taste said fish after the enthusiasm shown by the contestants. 

As I am Norwegian, I feel I have truly visited a small part of Norway. 

Please come visit us the second weekend in October when we celebrate Covered Bridge Festival. Our county is rightly proud of six remaining covered bridges, all over 100 years old. We will try to be good hosts to you.

Ruth Reed

Winterset

Student "Troll" Writing Submissions from 20th Nordic Fest: Part 2 of 2

A Troll, Creative Commons license https://www.flickr.com/photos/annabialkowska/

This week's post continues with winning student troll essays submitted in conjunction with the 20th Nordic Fest in 1986, themed, "Trollheim - Home of the Trolls." 

Troll Busters

It was the last day of school.

All of the kids were waiting in the classroom. The bell rang. Stacy ran out singing, "No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks!" Mrs. Johnson came running out and asked me if our detective agency called Troll Busters would work for her because she had a real problem. Trolls had moved into her house and she couldn't get rid of them. I asked the gang and they said, "yes!" She took us to her home and upstairs. She made her bed and then we went downstairs. We went back up and the bed was unmade. The trolls did that to her every day. The Troll Busters searched the house. 

All of a sudden a troll appeared. We cried to catch him but we could not. We went to the truck and got a special troll vacuum. We vacuumed the whole house and caught all three hundred trolls. We emptied the bag in a huge hole in Phelps Park. We could tell the trolls loved their new home much better than Mrs. Johnson's house.

Shelly Jump
Grade 4
North Winneshiek

Trolls

Gather round, my dear friends
I have something to say.
As I was walking down the mount
I saw a troll today.

He was short and very squat
I'd say about four three
He turned around as I did hide
So he wouldn't see

Fat and ugly he did seem 
With warts cov'ring his nose 
Beady eyes and toothless grin
With hair upon his toes.

He kept on walking right on past
But then stopped suddenly.
He slowly turned and looked around
Then stared right down at me.

We stood there for a minute or so
Not knowing what to do
Then suddenly, we both screamed
And away, we both flew.

I ask myself if this is true
Or maybe just a dream
But if it's true, then trolls are not
As scary as they seem

Beth Hjelle
Grade 11
Decorah Senior High

Student "Troll" Writing Submissions from 20th Nordic Fest: Part 1 of 2

A Troll, Creative Commons license https://www.flickr.com/photos/annabialkowska/

In conjunction with the 20th Nordic Fest in 1986, themed "Trollheim-Home of the Trolls," an essay and poster contest for area students. In this first of a two-part series, winning troll essays are shared:

Two Trolls Who Got Lost

One upon a time there lived a troll in a cave.

It had shaggy hair and an ugly face with warts on it. It only had one eye. One day there was a girl and boy coming down the path. They were lost. They went into Mr. Troll's cave. They seemed scared when they saw the great big monster.

He said, "Don't be afraid of me. I won't hurt you at all because I'm a good friend to you - a 

very good friend."

His friend told him they were lost. "Would you help us go home?"

"Yes, I will bring you home and I will stay forever and you will not have any problems." And he did.

Anne Wangness

Grade 2

North Winneshiek 

Uff-Da

The Decorah Troll

A Breed Apart

I suppose I should start at the beginning. About 200 years ago a group of exploring Norwegian trolls found their way into the Decorah forests. During their journey through this area a young troll became lost. This troll was then forced to learn to survive by himself. He had to search for food and shelter. He came close to starving over the years because of lack of lutefisk. However, at that time, torsk could be caught in the Upper Iowa River. Torsk, along with lingen berries, made up the young troll's basic diet. Soon the troll found a home in a dark cave in the forest on the side of a limestone cliff. As he wandered around in amazement anyone spying him would say, "Uff-da!" What was a young troll to think? My name must be Uff-da! Yes, my friends, as funny as that seems, that is how that young troll became Uff-Da!

As he became more acquainted with the people and surroundings of Decorah, he realized that he was more than just a troll. He knew he was not your "run of the mill" troll, he was a "Heartland" troll.

Uff-da soon began to develop a protective attitude over his people, He was often seen chasing away those horrible Swedes as they approaches Decorah. During the holiday season, he stood guard over lutefisk, lefse, lingen berries and cream sauce. Although the holiday season was very busy, the Nordic Fest was far more hectic for poor Uff-da. He would hover over the goodies, smelling and sampling, just to make sure they were genuinely Norwegian. Uff-da was and is still the protective spirit of Nordic Fest. 

As each year goes by, we remember Decorah's beginnings with our special troll, Uff-da.

Liv Davick

Junior High Category

A World Record at the 2015 Nordic Fest

Participants practice for the World's Largest Schottische hosted by the Foot-Notes at the 49th Nordic Fest in 2015.
Photo courtesy of Perry Straw. Used with permission.

Nordic Fest is full of 50 years of beautiful history. 

In 2015, the Foot-Notes celebrated their 25th anniversary and received the Nordic Fest flag in recognition of their many contributions to the event. Their Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American Old Time Dance Music highlights many a Nordic Fest.

The celebration continued when the Foot-Notes and Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum announced plans to attempt the World's Largest Schottische on Saturday, July 25 during their traditional Nordic Fest street dance. 

The Foot-Notes composed an original tune for this special celebration that is still available on CD Baby here. 

Event-Brite registrations poured in. Volunteers gathered onsite registrations. Counting, counting and more counting took place. In the end, the Foot-Notes and their Nordic Fest guests broke the record for the World's Largest Schottische on Saturday, July 25, with 1,881 dancers joining the event!

Bailey Mulholland produced a video overview of this special moment in Nordic Fest history that may be viewed here. 

Tracing roots in rugged Norway: a 1988 snapshot

Logo courtesy http://www.nagcnl.org/

A common theme in #nordicfest50 research so far is how many people attending Nordic Fest are interested in connecting with their family Norwegian heritage.  The Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library (NAGC) provides critical expertise for those looking for authentic family history details and has assisted at many Nordic Fests,  The NAGC, which has been an independent nonprofit since 2007, celebrated 40 years of impact in 2014, having first been established in 1974 in Madison, Wis. by librarian Gerhard Naeseth. From 1974 to 2007, the NAGC was part of Vesterheim. Today, the NAGC has over 2,000 "incredibly loyal and supportive members in all states of the U.S.," according to David Wright, Jr., Director of Development, Marketing and Membership for the NAGC. The following copyright 1988 Decorah Newspapers article illustrates the NAGC impact at Nordic Fest. Used with permission. 

Whether you're interested simply in learning more about the country that nurtured so much of the life and culture celebrated at Nordic Fest or you are intent on tracing your specific roots in Norway, on Friday and Saturday afternoons, July 29-30, the air-conditioned comfort of the Viking Theatre II is the place to be.

At 1:15 p.m. both days, Rasmus Sunde of Vik i Sogn, Norway, will narrate a slide presentation with Norwegian folk music on emigration from Sogn to the U.S., called "Sognefjord." 

Arnfinn Kjelland from Lesja, Norway, will follow at 1:50 p.m. with a lecture featuring Lesja and Dovre, called "Gubransdal, the Heart of Norway," and Gerhard Naeseth, director of Vesterheim's genealogical center, will wind things up each afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with his presentation, "Hunting for Norwegian Ancestors." Naeseth will repeat his presentation Sunday morning at 11:30 a.m.

When they aren't lecturing, you will be able to find these and other genealogical specialists at the Norwegian-American genealogy station on the third floor of the Vesterheim Center. Naeseth and his assistant Blaine Hedberg, from the museum's genealogical center in Madison, Wis., will be available to answer your questions, and help you climb down your family tree toward your Old World roots. Kjelland and Sunde will serve as consultants from Norway.

Also at the genealogy station, Paul and Elisabeth Hurd of Sheldon, Iowa will be "Finding Iowans in the 1900 Census." The genealogy station will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.