The following copyright article appeared in a 1996 edition of the Decorah Newspapers.
Used with permission.
The number of Nordic Fest visitors seeking housing through the Fest board of directors is "up tremendously" this year, according to Jill Amdahl, housing coordinator for the past four years.
"They're coming from all over," Amdahl said of visitors to the 30th annual Nordic Fest. She fielded calls from Fest visitors from California to Florida and from Virginia to Michigan.
Amdahl said Monday that out-of-area visitors planning to attend the Fest but without lodging are now being referred to motels in La Crosse, Wis., Prairie du Chien, Wis. and Rochester, Minn.
Decorah motels are booked as much as two to three years in advance and have long been filled, she added.
The Fest housing coordinator, who as the board's vice president assumes the board presidency next year, said as early as two weeks ago she already had placed more people this year than in any other year of her tenure. She also said housing at Luther College, some of which is not air conditioned, is also full for this year's Fest.
Amdahl said there are two basic sets of people who open their private homes to Fest visitors. One set expects to be reimbursed for housing the visitors, while the other set wants to house entertainers for free to have the experience of having them stay for a short stint.
This year, the Luren Singers volunteered to provide housing for about 70 people from Norway who will be performing at the Fest. Amdahl said the singers volunteered to house the Norwegians because they come from an area of Norway where the singers stayed during a visit to that country last year.
"They thought this was a good time to repay those people," Amdahl said.
Norma Wagnsness and one of her daughters, Le Wangsness-Bahr showcase their bunads in the 2014 Nordic Fest parade. Photo courtesy of Marilee Reinertson Torres, http://i-mrt.blogspot.com/
The following copyright article appeared in a June 1995 edition of Decorah Newspapers and is illustrative of the lengths the people of Decorah have gone over 50 years to ensure Nordic Fest authenticity. Many local sewing and embroidery experts have beautified Nordic Fest with their bunad creations. Used with permission.
Nordic Fest sponsors bunad exchange
What in the world is a bunad? A bunad -- pronounced BOO-nod -- is a Norwegian folk costume. Each year at Nordic Fest, you can catch a glimpse of many different styles of the bunad. The various styles of the bunad represent different geographical regions in Norway. A festival bunad is worn on special occasions like a wedding or Christmas. On Saturday, June 17, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Nordic Fest Board is sponsoring a bunad exchange and sale at the Interstate Power meeting room. If you have a Norwegian costume to tell - adult or child size - please put your price on it and drop it off at the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce office at 111 Winnebago Street by 3 p.m. Friday, June 16. If you are looking for a bunad, new or used, plan to attend this event. Susan Mueller of Husflids Heimen will be in attendance with a supply of bunad kits available. Any cotton kits purchased June 17 will be discounted 10 percent. Mueller will be selling these kits and giving instructions on how to construction the bunad you might choose. Nordic Fest Board members want to make this Nordic Fest the most colorful ever, and suggest dressing in a bunad this year. For more information, call Chris Evenson or Kate Kjome.
The following copyright opinion piece appeared in a 1994 edition of Decorah Newspapers. The late Margaret Hanson Gulsvig's work appears for the third time in this blog series. Used with permission.
Editor's Note: The follow article was written by Margaret Hanson (Mrs. Elmo) Gulsvig of Westby, Wis. A 1938 graduate of Decorah High School, a 1942 graduate of Luther College, her father was business manager and treasurer of Luther until his death in 1952. Her husband is retired area administrator of the Westby Area Schools, and she taught English in Viroqua for about 20 years. She was also feature editor and columnist for the local newspaper for over 25 years, having recently retired.
Nordic Fest 1994 was...
Planning early and then waiting ages for the end of July to come
Corresponding with old friends, making plans we hoped would pan out
Last minute calls with "We'll see you soon!"
Driving to Decorah with high expectations -- and a curious lump in the throat.
Loving every minute of reminiscing, laughing, catching up on 50 intervening years since our college days -- a miracle, since we're only in our 30's after all.
Driving, driving, looking over our hometown, identifying the houses by names of people now long gone, homes we once lived in, homes beautifully preserved, while one had deteriorated despicably: a parsonage of elegance, painfully cast aside.
Strolling through the cemetery, the beauty of the place softening our sorrow for parents long gone, neighbors who have joined them, and sadder, some contemporaries denied the extra years which are our privilege.
Observing the damage Mother Nature can do in a fit of frenzied activity: trees, huge trees, decimated in fewer minutes than the time it takes to blow out a candle. Chain saw whining over their task of repairing Decorah in time for the onslaught of Norwegians -- and any other lucky nationalities.
Walking, walking through the build-up area which we knew as our ice staking rink in the 1930's.
Shopping on Water Street, admitting it looks considerably better than it used to.
Visiting a real estate office for leads on longed-for, year-round accommodations, then, discourage by their lack or distance from neighborhoods we once knew as "ours" in close proximity to the college.
Attending an OPERA! Pleasantly surprised by its caliber.
Walking, walking...
Sitting on the stone fence below the stately courthouse to watch the impressive opening ceremonies; thrilled by everything, especially by the lur solo played by the grandson of Rev. George Ulvilden, who played it at the first opening ceremonies 25 years ago.
Being entranced by the entourage from Lillesand, Norway, some 60 strong, in heavy wool native costumes, who danced and sang with poise in the hot sun as our noses turned red and we dripped with perspiration.
Live trolls, our favorite, zipping through the parade on a scooter.
Driving to Washington Prairie, place of my roots, to partake of authentic Norwegian food; tempting a gastronomic revolt with extra helpings of rommegrot.
Having a meal at a Chinese restaurant -- at a Nordic Fest?
Attending a concert giving by an imported Norwegian at the new Decorah High School Auditorium, a very beautiful and functional addition to the Thomas R. Roberts School, the latter being named for our high school superintendent. The music? Bombastically beautiful!
The inevitable long talks, tackling all the problems we face as years and complexities of age replace other carefree days.
Attending Norwegian services at our "home church," actually able to follow along with what was transpiring, despite lapsing periodically into reverie over the seven Hansons, led by Pap, marching into one of the front pews every Sunday during my childhood: three family weddings, two funerals --
Driving home, lost in reverie, amazed at how five or six days could slip away so quickly.
The following copyright article appeared in a July 1994 issue of Decorah Newspapers.
Used with permission.
Nordic Fest food booths take 'major blow' in storm
With the 28th annual Nordic Fest less than two weeks away, July 29-31, the Fest suffered a major blow in the July 19 wind storm in Decorah.
The 14 Fest booths received an estimated $10,000 in damages. The booths are used by nonprofit organizations throughout the three-day Fest to serve food and raise funds. Many Norwegian and Scandinavian specialties are featured. Several booths were totally demolished.
Community helps
The Decorah community immediately began helping in the building and repair of the booths. Chuck Lore, who is in charge of physical management for the Fest, said around 40 individuals and business people have helped build four new booths and repair and repaint the rest.
The community also helped with monetary donations. The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, serving as a central location for donations and offers of help, reported that four major donations of $500 each were given by the Decorah Rotary Club, Bruening Rock Products, Wapsie Produce and Helen Basler. Numerous other donations also were received.
Donations are still welcome at the Chamber office on Winnebago Street, or by writing P.O. Box 364, Decorah, Iowa 52101.
A woodcarving, called the "Storm Troll" will also be raffled to help raise funds.
Every year since 1978, Nordic Fest has hosted a river run and walk that has been routed throughout various parts of scenic Decorah. It can be nice to think about a warm July morning this winter!
This popular Saturday morning event was described as follows in the 2014 Nordic Fest program: Elveløpet — The River Run, 5K walk/run, 15K run. Early registration accepted at Main Visitor Center until noon on Friday— early registration entry fee is $30. Late registration accepted Friday 6:00-9:00 p.m., City Hall and Saturday 6:30-7:00 a.m. Canopy 5 —late entry fee is $35. Elveløpet starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. In 1978, the highlights of the first Nordic Fest Elveløpet included:
107 runners: 34 women and 73 men
In the 15K men's race, Dani Fjelstad of Albert Lea, Minnesota and Paul Mullen of Rochester, Minnesota tied for first place with a time of 50 minutes, 37 seconds. Both were distance runners at Luther College at the time.
Kaia Lybbert of Cresco won the women's 15K with a time of 67 minutes, 35 seconds
Randy Fitzgerald of Decorah won the men's 5K with a time of 21:37
Mary Macal of Decorah won the women's 5K with a time of 28:16
What are your favorite Nordic Fest Elveløpet memories?
The example above from 1985 Nordic Fest promotional materials is a reminder of many years of beautiful culture added to Nordic Fest by the Luther College based Dorian Opera Theater.
Editor's note: With the recent holidays bringing the news of many engagements, what follows is a special Nordic Fest engagement story. Thanks to Janette Rodecap for today's guest post.
I have always loved my hometown and Nordic Fest, but
the 40th Annual Nordic Fest in 2006 changed my life. It was at that Nordic Fest that I became
engaged to my husband, Jeremy Wieck, and it was one of the happiest days of my
life.
Jeremy and I had been dating off and on for about 7
years, but we had recently reunited after a breakup. Jeremy had been to Decorah and to Nordic Fest
before, but in July of 2006, he was having a busy time at work and told me that
he wanted to stay behind in Kansas City.
I drove up alone, and was having a wonderful time catching up with my
parents, brother, and friends. I called
Jeremy on Saturday after dinner at the Decorah Lutheran Smorgasbord to see what
he had planned for that night, and he told me he was going to a barbecue with
friends. Little did I know that he was
actually speeding toward Decorah, nervously repeating his proposal speech over
and over again the whole way.
Jeremy knew that I never missed the Nordic Dancer
reunion on Saturday night. I was a
Nordic Dancer from 1984 to 1993, and I loved the music, dancing, and seeing my
old friends down on the street. Jeremy
had talked to my mom about his plans in advance, and she gave him the phone
number for Ruth Proctor, who was then the director of the Nordic Dancers.
Mrs. Proctor loved the idea of a proposal, and
she suggested doing it during the Halling dance. During that dance, the young men show off by
trying to kick a hat off the end of a broom held up in the air by a young lady,
and Mrs. Proctor told Jeremy that she would make sure I was that young
lady. After the last of the dancers had
their turn, Jeremy would come out of the crowd to propose. Jeremy agreed that
it sounded like a good plan.
A couple of
days later, a reporter from the Decorah paper called Jeremy for an interview
about his plan to propose. The already
nervous Jeremy was really feeling the pressure after that!
As I took my seat on the grass in front of the
Courthouse, I had no idea what was about to happen. Jeremy had already called my mom, dad, and
brother, Brian, to make sure they would all be there for the proposal. The press was there, too. My brother had been going up and down Water
Street telling everyone we knew about the proposal, so they would all be there
to see it. I don’t know how everyone
kept the secret from me, but a proposal was the furthest thing from my
mind.
Jeremy had stopped in Waterloo to
buy a “disguise” – sunglasses and a fisherman’s hat – and he arrived at
Courthouse Square just as the first dance was starting. He was worried that I might see him, so he
hid behind one of the statues on the lawn.
But he wanted to make sure Mrs. Proctor knew he was there, so he kept
signaling to her by waving from behind the statue. He was also nervous about the proposal, so he
paced around so much back there that he just about wore a path in the
grass. He was sure everyone around him
thought he was nuts.
As the performance went on, Mrs. Proctor called for
the alumni to come down and do some of our favorite dances with the current
group, like Sexsmansril and the Old Reinlander.
After the alumni dance, we usually stand behind the orchestra and catch
up a little bit while the current group finishes the performance.
This time, Mrs. Proctor asked me to stay out
on the street and hold the broom for the Halling Dance. That seemed unusual, but not enough to make
me suspicious. I was focused on the
dancers and holding the broom steady, so I never noticed Jeremy coming down
from his hiding place and waiting near the edge of the street behind me. As the last dancer took his turn, Mrs.
Proctor announced that there was one more suitor who was waiting to kick the
hat.
At his cue, Jeremy walked up to me,
and I was shocked to see him there. At
first, I could not understand what was happening, but my heart stopped when
Jeremy started to talk. He explained how
we met and how long we had been together, and that he knew how much Decorah and
Nordic Fest meant to me.
Finally, in
front of all of my family and friends, and what felt like the whole town,
Jeremy got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I joyfully agreed!
At the end of the Halling dance, the winner
carries the girl off the stage, so I jumped on Jeremy’s back for a piggy-back
ride off the street, and that was the photo on the front page of the Decorah
Journal the next day. We still have a
framed copy of that photo hanging in our living room as a memento of a Nordic
Fest I will never forget.
You may contact today's guest post author at j_rodecap at yahoo dot com.
