Guest Post from Darin Svenson: Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating Contest

Decorah Mayor David Nelson, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, State Representative Paul Johnson, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Robert Lounsberry participate in the Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating Contest in a moment believed to be from the early 1980's

As the 48th Nordic Fest just wrapped up in Decorah, this week's post comes from Darin Svenson, emcee of the Lutefisk Eating Contest. Darin may be reached at darinsvenson at gmail dot com. 

It's human nature to love competition: the desire to be the best at something, to be challenged by a worthy foe. to put hard work and dedication together while hoping for a little bit of luck.  With the Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating Contest, the most unique competition my voice has narrated in my 19 year broadcasting career, it takes a cast iron stomach, unique taste buds, a sense of adventure and the ability to go where few would even consider.

The Lutefisk Eating Contest is traditionally held on Saturday afternoon of Nordic Fest. Some very willing Fest volunteers allow their home to give up a normal scent to cook the delicacy of Norwegian champions. Prior to the contest, it's necessary to place enough protective plastic in Courthouse Square. If not, the Nordic Dancers' last performance later that evening could be a memorable one for the wrong reasons. 

Most competitions have willing participants who plan their schedules months in advance. The Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating Contest has some of those. Others come with trepidation. Others may lose bets with friends and family. I'm sure there is a triple dog dare or two. The folks from EWALU Bible Camp are usually the most adventurous. Some become lifelong fans of the special Norwegian delicacy. 

Completing a task one is not a true test of a champion. Anything thinking one bowl of lutefisk will determine immortality: think again. Blind squirrels can find nuts. Scoring a first inning run in baseball, scoring a touchdown on the first drive of a football game will not clinch victory. To do something similar in the Lutefisk Eating Contest would be cheating the art of competition. And fans in attendance wouldn't get their money's worth, although it's a free event. 

The preliminaries of this event are used to separate the contenders from the pretenders. The contenders swallow in one fell swoop. The pretenders hold their nose, often left wondering how in the world anyone can consume stuff. Some regurgitation occurs. Twenty contestants move down to ten, then ten to five. Then the real fun begins. 

Even to fans of lutefisk, consuming is one thing. Putting a bowl upside down on their heads and leaving the remnants in their hair so multiple bottles of Head and Shoulders are needed to remove the smell is quite another.  As a bonus, dandruff is immediately eliminated and any possibility of lice is gone for the rest of their lives. A final winner usually takes 5, 6, or 7 bowls. And bring your friends. It often comes down to a popular vote, albeit an unscientific one. 

Prizes usually include Helga Horns, a chef's hat, or a Got Lutefisk? shirt. But honor, prestige and glory are what being a champion is all about. Scoring a basket with five seconds left is one thing. But consuming seven bowls of something that smells like the inside of someone's gym bag within half an hour is truly going where few are willing to go. To the victor go the spoils. When it comes to the Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating contest, that's a lot more than a cliche. 

A Nordic Fest Salute to Lila Nelson

Photo courtesy: Holm Collection, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Archives, Decorah, Iowa, used with permission 

One primary resource for the #nordicfest50 project is the handmade book assembled for entering Nordic Fest into the State and National Jaycee Project of the Year contests in 1968. The book includes many Decorah Newspapers articles published before and after the first Nordic Fest in 1967. 

Throughout those articles, the name of Lila Nelson appears frequently as a dedicated, passionate organizer. Lila's late husband, Marion Nelson was the first executive director of an independent Vesterheim and a Nordic Fest founder. The news accounts of that first year make it clear that Marion had a tireless and equally passionate Norwegian heritage and Nordic Fest work partner in Lila.

Among her many contributions, Lila served as Vesterheim's first textile curator for a total of 27 years. She also served as Vesterheim registrar and was very active with the museum's folk art education program. Together, Lila and Marion cataloged and started conservation of 16,000 Vesterheim artifacts. 

In 2000, the Norwegian government bestowed upon Lila the prestigious St. Olaf's Medal in recognition of the worldwide impact of her preservation efforts and contemporary revival of traditional Norwegian textile arts, especially weaving, as she demonstrates in the above photo. The Lila Nelson Weaving Classroom at Vesterheim also recognizes her incredible dedication. Many of her weavings now grace the Vesterheim collection. 

As thousands prepare to gather in Decorah later this week for the 48th Nordic Fest, it is the perfect time to salute Lila for being such a critical part of bringing together the first Nordic Fest and perpetuating its success. Thank you, Lila! 

Pokey Pete Returning to Decorah Thursday, July 24

For 20 years, Ernest E. Petersen, otherwise known at Pokey Pete, brought trains he built to Nordic Fest and many other events throughout Eastern Iowa. Children rode rides on Pokey's train for ten cents. All proceeds were donated to charity. Upon his retirement from this loving venture, one of his trains, L'il Pokey, was gifted to Nordic Fest. 

To celebrate this rich part of Nordic Fest history, Ernest will be returning to Decorah just before the 48th annual Nordic Fest on Thursday, July 24. The confirmed schedule for the day is as follows:

• Open House at the party room of the Decorah Pizza Ranch, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Those who attend are encouraged to bring cards, notes and/or photos to leave with Pokey in appreciation for his 20 years at Nordic Fest, as well as his gift of L’il Pokey. For those who cannot attend, comments may be left on this blog.
• For those wanting to eat lunch while there, Pizza Ranch buffet will be available for purchase
• Visit with Decorah Lions and L’il Pokey train at Hawkeye Stages, 2 p.m
• Pokey will review the train and restoration efforts being made by the Decorah Lions, who have been lovingly caring for the train since it was gifted to Decorah by Pokey in 1989.

Everyone is welcome at this special #nordicfest50 event. 

Background info on Ernest E. Petersen, AKA Pokey Pete (30 minute video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFI2gO5PenM

Nordic Fest Events of Yesteryear: The Norse Dialect Humor Show

An early Nordic Fest entertainment photo (L to R):
 Connie Bolson, Charlotte Hexom, Eunice Stoen and Paul Hexom. 
Photo courtesy of Paul Hexom, past Nordic Fest board president and longtime volunteer 

A particularly interesting part of #nordicfest50 research to date has been learning more about the events of yesteryear that delighted audiences for a portion of the five decades. One such event the wonderful Paul Hexom has been kind enough to share with me is the Norse Dialect Humor Show. 

This event took place at the 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972 Nordic Fests to standing room only crowds. It was organized by Betty Nelson Seegmiller, who served as assistant to Dr. Marion Nelson at Vesterheim.

As the 1968 program states:

A favorite type of entertainment among early Norwegian-Americans is being revived with the presentation of the Norse Dialect Humor Show. Dialect songs grew to be very popular since pioneer days. Humorous dialect shows were a big success at county fairs and other public events in the Midwest. We hope their revival at the Nordic Fest will stir memories of many older visitors, as well as the interest of the younger generation with entertainment they may classify as "camp." 

Example pieces of those shows include the following presentations:

• The Nincompoop Song 
• Til Mabel's Vedding 
• The Object of My Affection by Yorgi Yorgensen 
• A Surprise for the Preacher 
• Just a Little Lefse Will Go A Long Way 
• Someone Spiked the Punch at Lena's Wedding

Performers in the Norse Dialect Humor Show included:

• Ellen Blegen
• Connie Bolson
• Karla Ellingson 
• Mrs. Agnes Estrem
• Scott Estrem
• Paul Hexom
• Mrs. Charles Houck 
• Curt Moen
• Gyda Norheim
• Victor Norheim 
• Ida Saquitne
• Melba Selland
• Thea Stoen

As the 48th Nordic Fest gets underway next week, what are your memories of the Norse Dialect Humor Show? What are your favorite Nordic Fest events of yesteryear? 

A Prettier Decorah at Nordic Fest and Year Round

For many Nordic Fest parades, Norm and Luann Smith could be seen riding together in a watering vehicle (as pictured above) or their miniature car. Norm and Luann got to ride together through this life for 53 beautiful years. 

Norm's contributions to Decorah as business person and loving human being through his decades of ownership of Usgaard & Smith on the west side of Decorah are deep and wide. It's difficult to recall a single event or activity in Decorah when I was growing up where Norm wasn't there, helping, making a difference. 

Since Norm spearheaded this effort, many visitors to Decorah are struck by the stunning beauty of the hanging flower baskets that grace the light poles throughout Main Street and College Drive in Decorah, two of the community's primary business districts. 

Norm's tireless worth ethic contributed massively to a prettier Decorah at Nordic Fest and throughout the year. In his honor, the city park just outside of the Oneota Community Food Co-Op is deserved named the Norm Smith Plaza. 

Although Luann, Norm's entire family and Decorah lost him in 2007, the impact of his deep passion and tireless enthusiasm is still with us in a prettier Decorah at Nordic Fest and throughout the year. 

Thank you, Norm and Luann Smith!