Seeds planted at the first Nordic Fest: guest post from Rebecca Hanna

Rebecca Hanna and her sister Ruth at the first Nordic Fest in 1967

One of Vesterheim's many talented Gold Medalists from nearly 50 years of Folk Art Exhibitions is wood carver Rebecca Hanna. Here Rebecca recounts how a visit to the first Nordic Fest in 1967 helped plant the seeds of her own celebration of her Scandinavian heritage:

My parents, sister and I had taken a vacation to the east coast from our farm west of Forest City, Iowa in 1967. On our way back home, we drove through Decorah (when the highway went right through town - no bypass at that time). We noticed there was a Norwegian festival going on and since my mom was 100% Norwegian and my dad half, we decided to stay for a couple days. . On our way back home, we drove through Decorah (when the highway went right through town - no bypass at that time). We noticed there was a Norwegian festival going on and since my mom was 100% Norwegian and dad half, we decided to stay for a couple days. 

We had our pickup camper so camped down at the police station/city hall at that time. We ended up in the Decorah paper in a picture showing us entering a store.  We also had our photo taken with Norwegian rosemaler Sigmund Aarseth, who would one day be famous to all rosemalers in the US! I saw Sigmund every time he was here over the last years and when I first showed him the photo of he and I and my sister, he chuckled and said, “We’ve all changed a little since that time!” Who knew back in 1967 that I would end up living my life over here in Decorah and that I’d be so involved with Vesterheim! 

Thank you, Rebecca and all the incredibly talented artists from around the world who have joined with Vesterheim to make Nordic Fest one of the premier locations in the world for celebrating Norwegian folk art! 

The limited edition Nordic Fest 50th anniversary book is now available for pre-sale at 23% off its rate during Nordic Fest. Online presales are available through Monday, July 4, 2016.  It includes 22 chapters, great photos, a spot to record your favorite Nordic Fest memories and a DVD with movie footage from the first event in 1967. Reserve your piece of Nordic Fest history today: http://www.nordicfest.com/site/nordic-fest-50-book.html 

Another Nordic Fest Favorite: Christenson Family Singers

At Opening Ceremonies throughout the history of Nordic Fest, both the United States of America and Norwegian National Anthem, "Ja Vi Elsker Dette Landet" have been presented, with some guests knowing the latter by heart and others following along in their Nordic Fest program. 

For 17 Nordic Fest years, the Christenson Family Singers added to the Nordic Fest entertainment, often in the natural amphitheater of the Winneshiek County Courthouse Square. They often led the presentation of both anthems. Click on the play button above to hear a recording of them at Nordic Fest. 

From their CD, Plaid, available on Amazon: 

The Christenson Family began their singing activity in 1965 when a pastor's wife from Milwaukee called Lois to ask her if she could present a "puppet show" for a Mother-Daughter banquet at their church. Lois responded with "Well, I don't do puppet shows, but if you are still in need of a program, call back and we will see what we can do." With three of the six children old enough to step out onto a stage, the Family Singers was born, and as soon as the three youngest were able to handle the words, they were suited up as well.

Tracks 18-25 on their Plaid CD reflect the busy days of the Decorah Nordic Fest in Iowa when thousands of people converged upon that little town to celebrate their heritage. These songs were among those which our family sang at the Fest, intermittently with the Nordic Dancer presentations at the Courthouse Square. 

Thank you, Pastor Paul, Lois and the Christenson family for bringing joy to the hearts of many Nordic Fest guests through your music! 

The limited edition Nordic Fest 50th anniversary book is now available for pre-sale at 23% off its rate during Nordic Fest. Online pre-sales are available through Monday, July 4, 2016.. It includes 22 chapters, great photos, a spot to record your favorite Nordic Fest memories and a DVD with movie footage from the first event in 1967. Reserve your piece of Nordic Fest history today: http://www.nordicfest.com/site/nordic-fest-50-book.html 

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