Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book and DVD $50 Rate Extended Through Nordic Fest

In appreciation for everyone who has made 50 years of Nordic Fest in Decorah possible, the $50 rate for the limited edition book and DVD has been extended through Nordic Fest July 28-30, while supplies last.  

Books are available online at www.nordicfest.com and at Nordic Fest Headquarters at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, 507 West Water Street throughout the event. There is an additional fee if shipping of a book or books by Nordic Fest is needed. Organizers report book sales are strong.

Nordic Fest hosted its first event in 1967 as a Decorah Area Junior Chamber (Jaycee) and Vesterheim joint project focused on the authentic Norwegian cultural connections present in Decorah. Nordic Fest remains uniquely nonprofit and noncommercial across its 50 year history. Nordic Fest continues due to the dedication of a wide array of community and Vesterheim volunteers, as well as the support of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.  

All project proceeds will be given to Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum to support their intake and proper organization of the Nordic Fest archives during 2016 and 2017..

The project also has a blog at http://nordicfest50.blogspot.com.

The full 50^th Nordic Fest brochure is also now available at www.nordicfest.com.  

Fifty Years of Nordic Fest! Guest post by Dr. Elwin D. Farwell

Dr. Elwin D. Farwell on campus during his tenure as Luther College President, 1963-1981.
Photo courtesy Luther College Archives, Creative Commons License, https://www.flickr.com/photos/luthercollegearchives/ 

Editor's Note: With the week of the 50th Nordic Fest here, the Nordic Fest 50 team is honored to publish this guest post from Dr. Elwin D. Farwell, who served as Luther College President as the first Nordic Fest came together in 1967. Dr. Farwell and his wife Helen set a beautiful tone for Nordic Fest being good for Luther College and Luther College being good for Nordic Fest across 50 years. 

Fifty years, half a century of Nordic Fest! Each one distinctive and a showcase for Decorah. I recall Dale Ahern, newspaper editor lamenting all the events of May in Decorah, then nothing until September. We really needed some event to bridge the long summer months. And so the birth of Nordic Fest! 

Each year it is a new experience - an opportunity for Decorah to showcase its beauty and uniqueness. We who live here are blessed throughout the years but in late July we can share our quality of life with visitors from far and wide. And they come!

We who live in this beautiful valley named for an Indian chef really are a privileged people. We have the Upper Iowa River, recreational facilities, golf courses, exceptional schools - Luther College and nearby, in Calmar, the fine Northeast Iowa Community College.  

Helen and I thank God for the people of Luther who invited us to leave California and come here 53 years ago. Our California friends thought we were crazy for leaving that climate. But they were wrong! 

In preparation for Nordic Fest, we share generously and put on our finest hospitality. The parade is one of my favorite events. I appreciate the marching bands, the floats with queens and the comic characters. 

This huge crater - the valley of the Upper Iowa becomes a time during Nordic Fest where we show to visitors the best of life. Merchants display a welcome and show their best with those drawn to the life and culture of the town. And everyone cooperates to make the Fest better each year. 

We consider living here a privilege. Decorah is a special place - made so by special people - not just Norwegians but adopted English and Germans, Danes and even Swedes!  There is a fine ecumenical spirit that visitors sense when they come, and it is valid because that is how we live, what we believe, and what we share. 

Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book Presale Rate Continues through Wednesday, July 27

Area residents and Nordic Fest fans have until Wednesday, July 27 to purchase their copy of the Nordic Fest 50^th anniversary book and DVD entitled, “Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong” at the special rate of $50, 23% off of its regular price.

Books are available online at www.nordicfest.com and via cash or check at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, 507 West Water Street during regular business hours. There is an additional fee if shipping of a book or books by Nordic Fest is needed.

"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,” said book purchaser and Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum Folk Art Gold Medalist Rebecca Hanna.

The 50^th Nordic Fest also marks the 50^th year of the Folk Art School and Exhibition at Vesterheim. www.vesterheim.org.

Nordic Fest first took place in 1967 as a Decorah Area Junior Chamber (Jaycee) and Vesterheim joint project focused on the authentic Norwegian cultural connections present in Decorah. Nordic Fest remains uniquely nonprofit and noncommercial across its 50 year history. Nordic Fest continues due to the dedication of a wide array of Vesterheim and community volunteers, as well as the support of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.  

All project proceeds will be given to Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum to support their intake and proper organization of the Nordic Fest archives during the fall of 2016 and the spring of 2017.

The full 50^th Nordic Fest brochure is also now available at www.nordicfest.com.  

1991 Promotional Nordic Fest Video

The 50th Nordic Fest is almost here! Where does the time go?

In celebration of this special anniversary year, today's post looks back at a promotional video recently transferred from VHS from 25 years ago - promotion of the 1991 Nordic Fest.

A few hairstyles may have changed, but the core strengths of Nordic Fest remain:

• Genuine cultural heritage celebration
• Non-commercial fun with tremendous nonprofit benefit, especially over the event's 50 years 
• All with the backdrop of the stunning Driftless area of Decorah, native home and chosen home for many wonderful people who have made 50 years of Nordic Fest possible

See you in Decorah soon! 

Nordic Fest: Book Creation Team Kudos

The original Nordic Fest organizers at a planning meeting in 1967. Photo courtesy and copyright Vesterheim Holm Collection. Used with permission. 

Since Nordic Fest planning began in 1966 for the first year in 1967, its greatest successes have been rooted in strong team work. The content creation team for this book continued that beautiful tradition since work first began on this project in 2013. 

The following people made the book many will soon hold in their hands possible through hundreds upon hundreds of hours of meticulous research, photo scanning, and more details than could possibly be counted in one blog post. They are listed in alphabetical order:

• Erik Anundsen, co-chair and publisher. Erik's work ethic and passion for all things history are matched only by his deep expertise and sense of humor. You are blessing to work with and to call friend!
• Paul Hexom, passionate Decorah advocate, lover of history and great friend. Thanks for your great caption work! 
• Josh Holland, partner and love of my life. From digitizing cassette tapes to calming me down and everything in between, your encouragement and help sustain me. 
• Cam Leseth Forde and Adrienne Leseth Coffeen for preparing a perfect founder's dedication and introduction, and for being incredible supportive friends throughout this process! 
• Deb Paulson of Zelda Productions, layout artist and designer extraordinaire. Your skill set is stunning and your input so critical towards making this book something people will want to treasure forever. You rock, Deb! 
• Harley Refsal, translator. While I am sorry I didn't practice more what you so expertly taught in your classes, you are a living celebration of Norwegian culture and I am honored by your master touch on this project! 
• Tyler Rinken, video production expert. The first Nordic Fest movie preparation in your expert hands could not be a better fit. Thanks for bringing your passion to the team! 
• Don & Julie Wurtzel, editors. Dad taught me early on how you both are a beautiful combination of friends and role models. You still are and always will be. Your community-minded touch and beautiful input throughout this process deeply strengthened the finished project. You are awesome! 

It is one of the great honors of my lifetime to work with this amazing team! 

Nordic Fest 50th Anniversary Book Presale Rate Extended, Nordic Fest Sale Details Announced

Nordic Fest 50^th Anniversary Book Presale Rate Extended, 

Nordic Fest Book Sale Details Announced

In celebration of the many contributions by the people of Decorah to Nordic Fest over its 50-year history, the 23% off presale rate of $50 for the book entitled, “Nordic Fest: 50 Years Strong” has been extended through the end of the day on Wednesday, July 27.  

The 304-page full-color, landscape format book includes detailed history, space for recording your favorite Nordic Fest memories, and a DVD with a digitized 1991 promotional video, as well as  movie footage from the first event in 1967 donated in memory of filmmaker LaVerne Hanssen of Grinnell, Iowa by his family.  

The book will be available via cash or check at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce and online with a credit card at www.nordicfest.com at its presale rate through Wednesday, July 27.

During the 50^th Nordic Fest, there will be a table at the Nordic Fest Headquarters at the Decorah Area Chamber that offers cash, check and credit card purchases at the rate of $65 per book.

Those who have already placed a preorder of a 50^th anniversary Nordic Fest book will receive an email or letter when delivery is fully confirmed. Presale pickup will be at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce.  

Proceeds from the Nordic Fest 50^th anniversary book sales support the permanent placement and proper organization of the Nordic Fest archives at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum.

Questions may be directed to nordicfest 50 at gmail dot com. 

1967 "My Impression of Norway" Poster Contest Winners

1967 Nordic Fest Barnetog, photo courtesy John Nelson

Involvement of youth in summer holidays is a beautiful tradition. Many Decorah young people, including possibly ones pictures above, were involved in the first Nordic Fest in 1967. The following article appeared in the Monday, May 22, 1967 issue of the Decorah Public Opinion and is used with permission:

"My Impression of Norway" was the theme of an art work contest in which 190 children in the Decorah Elementary Schools participated.

Mrs. Thorpe Running, third grade teacher at the West Side Elementary School, chaired the contest, which was sponsored by the Nordic Fest Steering Committee. 

Prizes in each grade level will be given with $5 for first, $2 for second and $1 for third.

Winning entries will be displayed in downtown store windows during the Nordic Fest.

First Grade: First prize, Chip Norris, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Norris; teacher, Mrs. Grove. Second price, Le Ann Melby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Melby; teacher, Miss Soles. Third price, Brian Hovden, teacher, Mrs. Pfister.

Second Grade: First prize, Eric Allan Reitan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip J. Reitan, teacher, Mrs. Winger. Second prize, Cheryl Sersland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sersland; teacher, Mrs. Thompson. Third prize, Patty Larson; teacher, Mrs. Rowse.

Third Grade: Firs prize, Ricky Nelson, teacher, Mrs. Running. Second prize, Kathy Ellen Drew, daughter of Mrs. Betty Drew; teacher, Mrs. Cronin. Third price, Jay Dansdill, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Dansdill; teacher, Mrs. Running. 

Fourth grade: First prize, Russell Kimber, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kimber, Jr.; teacher, Mrs. Peterson. Second prize, Robyn Sand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sand; teacher, Mrs. Fjelstul. Third prize, Daniel Houlihan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Houlihan; teacher, Mrs. Peterson.

Fifth grade: First prize, Linda Hayes; teacher, Sr. Mary Alexia, R.S.M. Second prize, John Barund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barund; teacher, Sr. Mary Alexia, R.S.M, Third prize, Craig Hovda, son of Rev. and Mrs. Alden Hovda; teacher, Mrs. Running.

Sixth grade: First prize, Patrick C. Henely, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Henely; teacher, Sr. Mary Leonice. Second prize, Rick A. Hovda, son of Rev. and Mrs. Alden Hovda; teacher, Mrs. Kelly. Third prize, Le Ann Wagnsness, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Wangsness; teacher Mrs. Kelly. 

Is your name on this list, or do you know someone listed here?