45th Annual Astoria Midsummer Scandinavian Festival June 22nd-24th

The 45th Annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is almost here and you do not want to miss this one! For three days only come join the fun at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds Astoria Oregon at one of the longest running Midsummer Festival in our country on Friday June 22nd, Saturday June 23rd and Sunday June 24th!

 

Learn about Scandinavian Culture through special activities for the whole family including: the 2012 coronation of Miss Scandinavia, Hex Burning, musical presentations, traditional and family-friendly dances, Troll Run, strolling parade (OpTog), flag ceremonies, costumes, raising of the Midsummer Pole, living history Viking encampment by The Empire of Chivalry and Steel from Scappoose, Oregon, live theater, puppet theater and kid games. In addition there will be tradition crafts demonstrations including: sword fighting, chainmail making and loom weaving. All unique activities you will only find at the 45th Midsummer Scandinavian Festival presented by the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and the newly formed Scandinavian Heritage Association.

 

The 2012 festival will also be presenting TWO live performances stages with almost non stop musical entertainment from both local and international performers! Including, from Finland TWO unique all-female, award winning groups, the  and  JEPOKRYDDONA. Each brings a delightful twist to Finnish Folk music with their vibrant energy and fast paced beats, guaranteed to get your foot tapping a smile on your face. But wait! There is more! Also included in this years musical line up from Washington State the  DOUBLE J AND THE BOYS from Long Beach,  FOLKVOICE from Seattle and on kantele (Finnish harp) WIHLO SAARI of Naselle.

 

Local theatre group the Astor Street Opry Company will also be on hand to not only present highlights from their summer musical melodrama SHANGHAIED IN ASTORIA but new to this years festival, will be presenting a live on stage readers theatre production of OLE AND LENA’S WEDDING. Written by Tim White and produced by Change of Pace Productions in Duluth Minnesota this fun show is reminiscent of the well known professional stage production TONY AND TINA’S WEDDING.  Only in this family friendly comedy the characters are Scandinavian! Many will recognize scenes from their own family’s gatherings as they see Ole and Lena’s friends and loved ones come together for a traditional (?) wedding and reception at the local Lutheran Church.

 

Also this year will spotlight a selection of over 50 Booths featuring traditional foods, arts and crafts, demonstrations, goods and products. Sample specialty foods prepared by local Scandinavian lodges such as Lefse (Norwegian flat bread), Riisipouro (rice pudding with fruit soup), pea soup and Frikkadeler or meat balls with red cabbage and rye bread,  In addition come listen to some great music at the popular Midsummer Beer Garden featuring brews from Astoria Brewing Company.

 

So don’t miss one of this areas longest running traditions the 45th Annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds June 22nd to 24th 2012. For more info please look them up on FACEBOOK or check out their website @ www.astoriascanfest.com.

Calendar of Events

June 22

2:00 PM

• Booths open – Scandinavian shopping and snacks Arena
• Scandinavian Recorded Music     Arena

3:00

• Beer Garden Opens     Beer Garden
• Scandinavian Recorded Music     Beer Garden

4:30 – 7

• Beef Dinner by Onley Grange     Exhibit Hall

4:00

• Double J & the Boys – Country and Folk     Arena

5:00

• Folkvoice – International Music     Arena
• Double J & the Boys – Country and Folk Beer Garden

5:30

• Ole & Lena’s Wedding – Astor Street Opry Production Arena

6:00

• The Polka Chicks – Finnish duo. Arena

6:30

• Booths close for evening Arena

7:00

• Queen Coronation – Flag Ceremony & Official Opening of Festival

8:00

• Torchlight Parade to Bonfire and Burning of the Hexes     Parking Area
• Queen’s Family Ball with Scandinavian Country     Exhibit Hall

9:00

• Scandinavian Country – Astoria’s Accordion & Country band Exhibit Hall

11:00

• Dance ends – Exhibit Hall Closes

Midnight Beer Garden closes, but will reopen on Saturday at 12 noon

JUNE 23

7-11 AM

• Midnight Sun Breakfast Buffet by Scandinavian Cafe
  

  The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is pleased to announce the 9th Annual Running of the Trolls. Join us for a walk or run in the beautiful Olney countryside. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association Scholarship Fund.

8:00

• Registration for Troll Run/Walk Parking Lot

8:30

• Running of the Trolls Run/Walk in the Olney countryside Parking Lot

9 – 6:30pm

• Booths open- Scandinavian shopping and snacks     Arena

10:00

• Downtown Astoria: Op Tog – Scandinavian Walking Parade     Downtown Astoria
• Viking Encampment Opens     Outdoors

10:30

• Folkvoice – International Music     Exhibit Hall

11:00

• Aitvaras – Lithuanian Folk Dancers from Portland     Arena

11-5 pm

• Barnefest – Activities for Children     Arena

11:30

• Festival Parade assembles here! [Flag Raising held here if it rains]     Exhibit Hall

12:00PM

• The Polka Chicks – Lively Duo from Finland     Arena
• Flag and Midsummer Pole Raising     Lawn
• Beer Garden opens     Beer Garden

12:30

• Jepokryddona – rhythmic, fast, folk music from Jepo     Exhibit Hall

1:00

• Leikarringen of Portland – Youthful Folk Dancers & Musicians     Arena
• Shanghaied in Astoria -Astoria’s Long-Running Melodrama     Beer Garden
• Viking Tournament by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

1:30

• Nordic Viking Scandia Folk Dancers from Astoria     Exhibit Hall

2:00

• The Polka Chicks – Lively Duo from Finland     Arena
• Folkvoice – International Music     Beer Garden
• Chainmail Making by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

2:30

• Jepokryddona – rhythmic, fast, folk music from Jepo     Exhibit Hall

3:00

• Nordic Viking Scandia Folk Dancers from Astoria     Arena
• Folkvoice – International Music     Beer Garden
• Viking Sword Demonstration by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

3:30

• Leikarringen of Portland – Youthful Folk Dancers & Musicians     Exhbit Hall

4:00

• Musicians’ & Dancers’ Jam     Arena
• Shanghaied in Astoria -Astoria’s Long-Running Melodrama     Beer Garden
• Loom Demonstration by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

4-7:00

• Viking Dinner Buffet by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver WA Exhibit Hall

4:30

• Aitvaras – Portland Lithuanian Folk Dancers     Exhibit Hall

5:00

• The Polka Chicks – Lively Duo from Finland     Arena
• Squeezer & the Geezer – Coreen on accordion & Ken on tuba     Beer Garden

5:30

• Leikarringen Musicians     Exhibit Hall

6:00

• Squeezer & the Geezer – Coreen on accordion & Ken on tuba     Beer Garden

6:30

• Leikarringen Musicians     Exhibit Hall
• Booths close but will reopen on Sunday at 9     Arena

7:00

• Ole & Lena’s Wedding – Astor Street Opry Production     Exhibit Hall
• Double J & the Boys     Beer Garden

8-11

• Dancers’ Ball with Nordic Spirit     Exhibit Hall

8:00

• Double J & the Boys     Beer Garden

11:00

• Dance ends and hall closes     Exhibit Hall

12 Midnight

• Beer Garden closes and does not reopen on Sunday     Beer Garden

JUNE 24
7-11AM

• PANNUKAKKU BREAKFAST Served by Astoria Rotary Club  Exhibit Hall

9 – 4

• Booths open- Scandinavian shopping and snacks     Arena
• Vicking Encampment Opens     Outdoors
• The Squeezer & The Geezer     Arena

11:00

• Jepokryddonna – rhythmic, fast, folk music from Jepo     Arena
• Non-denominational Church Service with Wilho Saari, Kantele     Exhibit Hall

11-3

• Barnefest – Activities for Children     Arena

Noon

• The Polka Chicks – Lively Duo from Finland     Arena
• Wilho Saari – Kantele Music     Exhibit Hall
• Loom Demonstration by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

12:30PM

• Parade of Costumes fashion show from Scandinavia     Exhibit

1:00

• Jepokryddonna – rhythmic, fast, folk music from Jepo     Arena

• Viking Tournament by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

1:30

• Nordic Viking Scandia Folk Dancers from Astoria     Exhibit Hall

2:00

• The Polka Chicks – Lively Duo from Finland     Arena
• Chainmail Making by Empire of Chivalry & Steel     Outdoors

2:30

• Ole & Lena’s Wedding – Astor Street Opry Production     Exhibit Hall

3:00

• Nordic Viking Scandia Folk Dancers from Astoria     Arena

3:30

• Festival Raffle     Exhibit Hall

4:00

• Flag Ceremony and Festival Closing      Exhibit Hall