Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival 2024

Velkommen, Tervetuloa, Velkominn

We welcome everyone to join us June 21 to 23 at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds to celebrate midsummer’s longest days of the year with laughter, dance, music, food and community.

57 years ago, immigrants from five Nordic countries came together in our community: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and created a tradition only found in America — the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival.

We welcome people of all heritages to join us and learn about our Nordic heritages, feast on delicacies, dance and sing, find treasures in our various booths, and laugh a lot. This is a Nordic celebration of joy!

We kick off our weekend Friday, June 21, by opening our vendor booths, crowning Miss Scandinavia and lighting a bonfire. Saturday night’s concert is not one to miss — Gaslighter opening for ARRIVAL. It will be an evening of The Chicks with ABBA. Just try staying seated!

I thank all the Festival Association members for their hard work and dedication to our beloved celebration. We all look forward to seeing you there!

Kiitos! Takk skal du ha! Thank you!

Carla Oja, Festival President

2024 Astoria

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Officers and Committees

Carla Oja

President, Optog, Games

Sirpa Duoos

Vice President, Church Service, Parade of Nordic Folkwear

Loran Mathews

Budget, Logistics, Downtown Flags

Brenda Higgins Treasurer, Vendor Booths

Marci Swenson

Secretary, Princess Committee

Emmi Collier, Liz Jolley

Princess Committee

Janet Bowler

Entertainment, Social Media, Website

Scott Docherty

Website Design, Photography

Yvonne Sundstrom Publicity

Tara Johnson

Sunshine, Vendor Booths

Bonnie Fisher

Decorations

Nettie Blai

Merchandise

Barbie England

Admissions

Angie Cereghino

Scholarship

Scott McMullen

Signage

Donna Moberly, Janet Todd

Troll Run

Bern Ladd

Barnefest

Nancy Lane, Katie Lane and Tony Larson

Raffle

Sonja Madsen

Historian

Cathy Williams

Flag Raising

Rebeccah Orton

Emcees

Astor Street Opry, Taz and Beth

Beer Garden

Grand Marshal

2024 ASTORIA SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL

C

oreen Bergholm, this year’s festival Grand Marshal, has attended 55 of the 57 midsummer festivals and been an entertainer since 1978.

Bergholm arrived in Astoria from North Dakota in 1965 and attended her first midsummer festival in 1968, when her daughter was part of the original children’s Nordic dance group lead by Carol Obie. Both daughter Lynnette and son Ronnie danced with the group until they were out of high school.

In 1978, festival organizer Maureen Sundstrom formed a dance band called the Local Yokels to entertain at the midsummer festival and Bergholm was part of it. There were five accordions, but Bergholm played piano. The band was asked to play for other occasions and she soon realized that an accordion was more portable than a piano, as keyboards were not prevalent then.

Bergholm taught herself how to play accordion in the kitchen, ignoring her two kids with their fingers in their ears. Her mentors have always been local immigrant accordionists Sven Sundstrom and Jorgen Madsen, who taught her the tunes and rhythms so important for Scandinavian music.

She eventually became a “snow bird” and formed her own accordion band for the Sons of Norway Lodge in Yuma, Arizona. The lodge puts on a Scandi Fest every winter and the Yuma Accordion Band does the majority of the music. The band is still in existence after 21 years.

Bergholm’s favorite festival memory is from 40 years ago in 1984. She served as senior court chaperone and publicity chair for the festival as well as performing with the Local Yokels. Myron Floren, from the Lawrence Welk Band, was the featured entertainer and Bergholm was asked to polka on stage with Lawrence Welk dancer Bobby Burgess. She said, “It was a busy but memorable festival, like they all are.”

Congratulations, Coreen! Don’t miss her accordion playing all three days of the 2024 festival at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds.

Sponsors

2024 ASTORIA SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION

ASHA is a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to support the culture and heritage of the Nordic countries and its primary beneficiary is the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival.

Heritage Club

$5,000 – $10,000

City of Astoria Arts & Culture Tourism Grant

Tony & Shelly Larson

Royal Club

$2,500 - $4,999

Dirk & Pirjo Schulbach

Warrenton Fiber/Nygaard Logging

Scandia Club

$1,000 - $2,499

Janet & Lloyd Bowler

Margit Bowler

Columbia Memorial Hospital

Judie Dreyer

Finn Ware of Oregon

North Coast Truck Parts & Equipment

Hampton Lumber Mills

Lum’s Auto Center

Viking Club

$500 - $999

Terry Arendt

Coreen Bergholm

Daniel Casey

Suzie Conner / Leland Vessel Assistance

Dalin Consulting, Jeff & Janel Dalin

Friends of Suomi Hall

Gimre’s Shoes

Blair Henningsgaard, Attorney

Dave & Lorine Hoyer

Jan Nielson

Recology

Sons of Norway Nidaros Lodge No. 16

Lou Ann Thorsness

Nordic Club

$250 - $499

Kelsey Balensifer / NW Natural

Englund Marine & Industrial Supply

Bobbi Inman

Fred Larson

Lewis and Clark Bank

Mike Malmberg

Salmon For All

Gerry Swenson

Vendors

2024 ASTORIA SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL

• Aiti Workshop

• Alder Breeze Creations

• Annie’s Jammies

• Astoria Family History Center

• Astor Lodge No. 215

• Astoria Nordic Heritage Park

• Black Lotus Art

• Carved Wooden Treasures

• Chimnik

• CJ’s Creative Memories

• Clew Bay Leather & 3D Printing

• Country Cut

• Darkmoon Faire

• Daughters of Norway

• Davis Brothers Metal Art

• Decorative Painting

• Desiree of Sweden

• DS Johnson Enterprises

• East O’ The Sun & West O’ The Moon

• Easy to Please Grilled Cheese

• Finnish American Folk Festival

• Finn Ware

• Folk Art of Norway

• French Cat Studio

• Friends of Suomi Hall Auxiliary (Finnish Brotherhood Lodge)

• Frite & Scoop

• Hygge Chocolates

• Jalida’s Millinery

• Kathy’s Kreations

• Lily Rose Coffee & Crepes

• Linens, Inc.

• Lower Columbia Danish Society

• Margaret Ellen Designs

• Needle’N On

• Nomadic Artistry

• Nordiskal

• Norskwear

• Oak and Fir

• Oran Mor Artisan Mead

• Oregon Rocks

• Peace First Lutheran Church

• Pendletomten

• Pilgrim’s Roasted Nutz

• R&L Imports

• Renatureart

• Renewal by Andersen

• Rolling River Spirits

• The Scandinavian Café

• Scandinavian Design Studio

• Scandinavian & Rustic Designs

• Secret Dragon Collectibles

• Smug Dog Soaps

• Sons of Norway

• St. Brendan the Navigator

Orthodox Church

• Steve & Audrey Ullakko

• Viking Krafts

• Viking/Nordic Dance Group

• Festival Raffle Tickets Booth

• Festival Information Booth

1. Finnish Brotherhood Auxiliary

2. LC Danish Society

3. Astor Lodge #215

4. Carved Wooden Treasures

5. French Cat Studio

6. Scandinavian & Rustic Design

7. Finn Ware

8. Folk Art of Norway

9. Davis Brothers Metal Art

10. Desiree of Sweden

11. Jalida’s Millinery

12. Nomadic Artistry

13. Finnish American Folk Festival

14. Frite & Scoop

15. Aiti Workshop

16. DS Johnson Enterprises

17. Pilgrim’s Roasted Nutz

18. Nordiskal 48. Pendletomten

19. Steve & Audrey Ullakko

20. Country Cut

21. Annie’s Jammies

22. Kathy’s Kreations

23. Sons of Norway Lodge

24.ASMFA RAFFLE BOOTH

25.ASMFA INFO/SOUVENIR BOOTH

26. Lily Rose Coffee & Crepes

27. Linens, Inc.

28. Decorative Painting

29. Norskwear

30. R & L Imports

31. Renatureart

32. Clew Bay Leather & 3D Printing

33. CJ’s Creative Memories

34. Oran Mor Artisan Mead

35. Smug Dog Soaps

36. Astoria Family History Ctr.

37. ASMFA Info/Souvenir Booth

38. ASMFA Raffle Booth

39. Daughters of Norway

40. Scandinavian Design Studio

41. Oak and Fir

42. Hygge Chocolates

43. Needle’N On

44. Black Lotus Art

45. Secret Dragon Collectibles

46. Darkmoon Faire

47. Viking Krafts

49. Alder Breeze Creations

50. Renewal by Andersen

51. St. Brendan the Nav.Orth Church

52. Rolling River Spirits

53. Scandinavian Café

54. East ó the Sun, West ó the Moon

55. Margaret Ellen Designs

56. Easy to Please Grilled Cheese

57. Oregon Rocks

58. Peace 1st Lutheran Church

59. Viking/Nordic Dance Group

60. Chimnik

Vendor booth map

Event Schedule

2024 ASTORIA SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL

Friday, June 21,2024

Booths Open

2 to 6:30 p.m., Arena

Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures. Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for dining and snacking.

Icelandic Horses

2 to 6 p.m., Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington, will show Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Raffle

2 to 7 p.m., Purchase raffle tickets for prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors. The Raffle Booth will also have CDs on sale from some of the performers.

Beer Garden Open

3 to 11 p.m., Arena

Adult beverages and a limited menu of snacks will be offered in the beer garden, hosted by the Astor Street Opry Co.

Entertainment

3:15 to 6:30 p.m., The Kehler Williams Duo, the Harald Haugaard / Helene Blum Band, and the Brownsmead Flats will entertain live on the Arena Stage.

Mermaids & Trolls Dinner

4:30 to 7 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Danish Forloren Hare (meatloaf made with pork and beef and wrapped in bacon), Norwegian Fårikål (signature dish made with beef or lamb and seasoned green cabbage), new potatoes, Norwegian green pea stew, meatballs in white parsley gravy, garden salad, Nordic cheese selection and assorted Nordic desserts. Cost for dinner is $20, or $7 for children 6 and under.

Queen’s Coronation

7 p.m., Arena, Princesses sponsored by the Danish Society, Finnish Brotherhood, Sons of Norway, VASA Swedish Lodge, and Icelandic families will speak about their Scandinavian heritage. A panel of judges will select one to reign as Miss Scandinavia 2024.

Torchlight Parade To Bonfire, Hex Burning

8 p.m. (following Queen’s Coronation), Parking Area, Scandia men with flaming torches will lead the newly crowned Miss Scandinavia and audience members to the bonfire to throw straw hexes into the flames. This tradition symbolizes ridding oneself of bad luck for the year. Ryan Phillips will provide accordion music at the bonfire as the crowd waits for the Queen to arrive.

Queen’s Family

Ball

8 to 11 p.m., with Scandinavian Country, Miss Scandinavia and her father or special partner will lead the first dance of the 2024 Midsummer Festival. Join the dancing or watch the dancers and listen to great music.

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Midnight Sun Breakfast

7 to 11 a.m., Exhibit Hall, Served by Scandinavian Cafe of Vancouver, Washington. Buffet with Norwegian Jarlsberg egg cake, Finnish pyttipannu (Scandinavian pan-fried scramble of potato, onions, sausage and egg), cardamom coffeecake with strawberries and whipped cream,, Norwegian rommegrot (sour cream porridge/pudding with cinnamon and sugar), lefse (fresh off the griddle), Scandinavian cheeses, shrimp and salmon lox, fresh assorted breads, fruit, fresh baked Danish pastry, coffee and orange juice. Cost for breakfast is $18, or $8 for children 6 and under. Menu subject to change depending on ingredient availability.

Running Of The Trolls

8:30 a.m., Walluski area by Clatsop County Fairgrounds, Join us for a walk or run in the beautiful countryside. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association Scholarship Fund. Registration is available online or at the festival. Check-in is from 7 to 8 a.m. Saturday in the Main Entry Hall.

Icelandic Horses

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington, will show Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Entertainment

9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Arena Stage and 1:15 to 6:30 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Scandinavian themed entertainment and dancing. Pick up a festival program at the admission table or view one of the posted schedules to find your favorite band, singer or dance troupe.

Booths Open

9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Arena, Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures. Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for dining and snacking.

Raffle

9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Purchase raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.

Empire Of Chivalry and Steel

Viking Encampment

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Outdoors, Costumed reenactors will demonstrate crafts, tournaments, armor making and combat arts from the Middle Ages.

Beer Garden

11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Arena

Adult beverages and a limited menu of snacks will be offered in the beer garden, hosted by the Astor Street Opry Co., that will also provide 40 minutes of live entertainment every hour starting at 1 p.m. Enjoy the Beer Babes’ accordion music Friday evening and Saturday late afternoon.

Barnefest

11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Arena, Young festival attendees can participate in children’s activities in the Barnefest area. Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Optog Festival Parade

11:30 a.m., Festival Grounds, Miss Scandinavia and her court, costumed dancers and entertainers, representatives from the Scandinavian lodges and family groups will parade through the arena and festival grounds to the outdoor stage for the Flag Raising and Midsummer Pole ceremony. Coreen Bergholm will be honored as 2024 Grand Marshal.

Flag Raising

Noon, Midsummer Pole, Hear the national songs of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden while Miss Scandinavia and her court assist in the pageantry of the raising of the flags of these Scandinavian countries. In case of rain, flag raising will be moved to the Exhibit Hall.

Midsummer Pole Raising & Dancing

12:30 p.m., Midsummer Pole, Watch local men and sturdy women (and volunteers!) skillfully raise the Midsummer Pole. The Polka Dots will play live music for dancing around the Midsummer Pole led by Christine Smith and the VASA Youth Group Swedish Dancers. All are welcome to join in.

Tug Of War

1 p.m., Outdoors By Midsummer Pole, Teams of eight will vie to be champion. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver.

Kubb Demonstration

1:30 to 3:30 p.m., in front of the Midsummer Pole, Join Dave Alford and friends to play Kubb, a yard game of Scandinavian origins which has been played for about 1,000 years. No prior skills are required and all are welcome.

Parade Of National Folk Wear & Authentic Sweaters

5 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Are you curious about the lovely costumes worn by representatives of the Scandinavian countries? Come and see and hear them explained in a fashion show with live models. Are you wearing an authentic Nordic sweater? Come and join in.

Viking Dinner

4 to 7 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Dinner served by Scandinavian Cafe of Vancouver, Washington. Buffet featuring Danish pork roast with apricots and prunes, Icelandic cod soup (creamy tomato cream broth with hints of curry, with leeks, onion, potato and Icelandic cod), Swedish meatballs in mushroom cream gravy, Medister Polse (Norwegian pork sausage), braised red cabbage, Janneson’s temptation (a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, bread crumbs and cream), garden salad, Danish smørrebrød (open-faced sandwiches), shrimp and herring salad, Nordic cheeses, fresh baked bread and crisps, cream-filled pastry shells drizzled in dark chocolate, cookies and pastries, soda, coffee and bottled water. Cost is $24 per person or $10 for children 6 and under.

Meatball Eating Contest

6 p.m., Exhibit Hall, How many Swedish meatballs can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win a prize. Participants must be 18 and older and sign a waiver.

Ableskiver Eating Contest

6 p.m., Exhibit Hall, How many ableskiver — Danish donuts — can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win an ableskiver’s pan and recipe. Participants must be 18 and older and sign a waiver.

Gaslighter and ARRIVAL perform

7:30 p.m., Performance by two tribute bands, playing music of The Chicks and ABBA. The band ARRIVAL is returning to the festival for a fourth time. Admission is $20 to $45. Doors open at 7 p.m., advance tickets available online.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Sisu Breakfast

7 to 11 a.m., Exhibit Hall, Breakfast served by Scandinavian Cafe of Vancouver, Washington. Serving Pannukakku (Finnish pancake), ham, Nordic sausage, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, Scandinavian cheese selection, fresh pastry, breads and crisps, drinks. Cost is $16 per person.

Booths Open

9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arena, Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures. Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for dining and snacking.

Raffle

9 a.m. to 2 p.m., last chance to buy raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.

Icelandic Horses

9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington, will show Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Entertainment

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Arena, There will be live Scandinavian-themed entertainment throughout most of the day. Pick up a festival program at the admission table or view one of the posted schedules to find your favorite band, singer or dance troupe.

Empire Of Chivalry and Steel

Viking Encampment

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Outdoors, Costumed reenactors will demonstrate crafts, tournaments, armor making and combat arts from the Middle Ages.

Nondenominational Church Service

11 a.m., Exhibit Hall, Nondenominational church service with Pastor Steve Kienberger.

Meatball Eating Contest

12:15 p.m., Exhibit Hall, How many Swedish meatballs can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win a prize. Participants must be 18 and older and sign a waiver.

Ableskiver Eating Contest

12:15 p.m., Exhibit Hall, How many ableskiver — Danish donuts — can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win an ableskiver’s pan and recipe. Participants must be 18 and older and sign a waiver.

Barnefest Raffle

2 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Win prizes donated by community members and businesses to support the children’s activity area.

Festival Raffle

2:15 p.m., Exhibit Hall, Win prizes donated by the Scandinavian Festival Association, lodges and businesses. Winners need not be present.

Flag Ceremony, Festival Closing

2:30 p.m., Arena, The festival ends as the national songs of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are sung one more time and the flags leave the hall. Say goodbye to your friends and family and make plans to join us again in 2025 for our 58th anniversary festival.

57th Annual Astoria

Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

Go to: AstoriaScanFest.com for more information

2024 Astoria Scandinavian

JUNE

21, 22 & 23, 2024

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Junior Court

Cassie Fabela

JUNIOR MISS NORWAY

Cassie lives in Astoria and is sponsored by the Sons of Norway Nidaros Lodge No. 16. At past festivals, she’s enjoyed the kids’ activities in the Barnefest and eating treats from the chimnik truck. Cassie dances with the Nordic Viking Dancers and gets her Norwegian heritage from her maternal grandparents.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Junior Court

Kairina Nerenberg

JUNIOR MISS SWEDEN

Kairina attends Astoria schools and is sponsored by Vasa (Swedish) Order of America Astor Lodge No. 215. She’s attended the Astoria Midsummer Festival since she was a baby and dances with the Nordic Viking dancers. Two of her aunts and a cousin have been on the Midsummer Court and she looks forward to her turn to represent her family and her heritage. Kairina’s family knows many details of their Finnish and Swedish heritage from their great-grandparents. She is involved in her church, her family and Scandinavian activities.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Junior Court

Eleanor Pearson

JUNIOR MISS DENMARK

Eleanor attends school in Astoria and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. She participated in last year’s Troll Run. Eleanor claims Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish heritage through her paternal and maternal grandparents. She takes gymnastics classes and lives in a home decorated with Scandinavian influences.

2024

Scandinavian Midsummer

Festival Junior Court Aspen Barendse

JUNIOR MISS FINLAND

Aspen attends school in Knappa and is sponsored by the Finnish Brotherhood. Aspen attended Suomi School the last two years and looks forward to learning more about her Finnish heritage at festival events. She likes science and basketball at school and spending time with family, friends and animals outside of school.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Junior Court

Kathryn Lacy

JUNIOR

COURT CHAPERONE

Kathryn has attended the Midsummer Festival since 2000 and her daughter was Senior Miss Denmark and the Lucia Bride in 2022. Her children danced with the Nordic Viking Dancers and she even did for a few years, too. For the last two years, Kathryn has been a vendor at the festival. She claims Swedish and Danish heritage and has spent time in Scandinavia. “The locals and people involved with the Midsummer Festival have given our family a great pride in who we are and where we come from. I can’t wait to be a part of the group in a new way.”

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Thor Lacy

CROWNBEARER

Thor attends Astoria schools and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. He loves dancing with the Nordic Viking Dancers, eating Scandinavian treats and finding vendors with cool stuff at the Midsummer Festival. In addition to Danish, he’s also a bit Swedish.

Midsummer Festival Court

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court Riley Phillips MISS FINLAND

Riley is sponsored by Friends of Suomi Hall. She was Junior Miss Finland in 2014 and looks forward to getting reacquainted with the Midsummer Festival and its activities. Both sides of Riley’s family have Finnish ancestry, and it was her grandmother who encouraged her to join the festival court. Her mother is an avid pulla baker and she is learning how to make it too. She is a leader in her high school band and plays with the North Coast Symphonic Band. She plans on attending college and majoring in anthropology and music.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court

Lindy Hartvigson

SENIOR COURT CHAPERONE

Lindy is a librarian at Astoria schools. She has fond festival memories of making ableskiver in the Lower Columbia Danish Society Booth and attending the ARRIVAL Abba Tribute Band concert with her sister. Lindy and her sister wore matching shirts to the concert and sang and danced all evening. Her parents are both half-Danish and her husband is Norwegian, so there is lots of Scandinavian food in the home at the holidays. She is honored to serve as chaperone to honor her heritage.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court Maia Fay

MISS ICELAND

Maia attends Astoria High School. She has attended the Midsummer Festival since she was a child and enjoyed the Queen Coronation, the Midsummer Pole raising and watching the dancers. She looks forward to serving on the court as a chance to understand her heritage better and make new friends. In addition to Icelandic heritage, she also has Norwegian and Swedish ancestors. She is active in theater in high school and plans to attend college to study psychology.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court Sarah Fabela MISS NORWAY

Sarah attends Astoria High School and is sponsored by the Sons of Norway Nidaros Lodge No. 16. She has been part of the Nordic Viking Dancers since fifth grade, and helps with setting and cleaning up at the festival and in the Barnefest and raffle booths. She thinks that serving on the court will help her grow leadership skills and make new friendships. Sarah’s maternal grandmother is Norwegian and her family makes all sorts of Scandinavian food. At school, Sarah stays busy with cheerleading, theater, and Key Club.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court Audrey Cereghino

MISS SWEDEN

Audrey attends Astoria High School and is sponsored by Vasa (Swedish) Order of America Astor Lodge No. 215. She has danced with the Nordic Viking Dancers and been involved in many Midsummer Festival events while volunteering with her extended family. Audrey has Swedish, Norwegian and Danish heritage from both sides of her family and maintains contact with cousins who live in Sweden. She loves ginger snaps from the Swedish booth, ableskivers from the Danish booth and chimniks.

2024 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Senior Court Ash Lacy

MISS DENMARK

Ash attends Astoria High School and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. She was Junior Miss Denmark in second grade and dances with the Nordic Viking Dancers. Ash looks forward to meeting new friends at festival events and representing her Danish heritage from her father’s side of the family. She has already done lots of public speaking and community service through her involvement in 4-H. Ash hopes to attend college to become a teacher.

Festival Entertainment

Blum and Haugaard Band

Duo Helene Blum and Harold Haugaard, from Denmark, interpret the Danish musical tradition, bringing to life the nation’s cultural heritage.

Their original songs and compositions sit alongside original interpretations of old songs and tunes from Denmark’s rich treasure trove. Backed by Kirstine Elise Pedersen on cello, Mikkel Grue on guitars and Sune Rahbeck on percussion, this band plays 100 concerts a year, most outside of Denmark, acting as ambassadors for Danish music and culture.

Hear the Blum and Haugaard Band on the arena stage at 4:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. and noon Sunday.

Kehler Williams Duo

Alex Kehler and Nicholas Williams share a passion for Scandinavian musical traditions, an impulse to explore new acoustic textures and sonorities, and a tendency to accumulate excessive numbers of instruments.

Equally at home playing music for a hall of dancers, for an intimate audience or on a large concert stage, they share their knowledge and invite listeners in

Canadian-American Kehler plays fiddle, violin and nyckelharpa. He studied baroque violin but since 2011 he has been pursuing his passion for Scandinavian music, playing nyckelharpa and studying with renowned traditional teachers in Sweden.

Williams plays wooden flutes, piano accordion and piano. He studied world music, composition and improvisation in Toronto. Since then, his passion for the musical traditions of Québec, Scandinavia, Scotland and Ireland have led him to perform, play for dances and teach across North America and the United Kingdom.

Kehler Williams appears on the arena stage at 3:15 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.

Coreen Bergholm’s Nordic Accordion Band

By special demand, Coreen Bergholm’s Astoria Nordic Accordion Band will return to the Midsummer Festival to perform accordion favorites. This group of seasoned accordion players and a novice or two will be accompanied by violin, drums and bass. They will play the favorite accordion tunes that Sven and Jorgen used to play as well as some new ones.

Gaslighter and ARRIVAL

Gaslighter, a Canadian tribute band playing the music of The Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks) wil be joined by ARRIVAL, an ABBA tribute returning to the Midsummer Festival for the fourth time.

Gaslighter will perform the first half of the festival’s Saturday concert. Joined by a four-piece backup band, the group features Shannon Saunders on fiddle, mandolin and backing vocals; Tracy Em on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; and Emily Ashcroft on guitar, banjo, dobro and backing vocals.

The six-piece tribute ARRIVAL performs the second half of the concert, with ABBA favorites like “Dancing Queen,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes it All” and “Mamma Mia.”

Gaslighter joins ARRIVAL at the fairgrounds arena at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. A separate ticket is required for this event, which includes free admission to the festival after 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets will be on sale through June 17. Will call tickets will be available for pickup at the venue before the show.

Ray Raihala and Randall Weese

These talented and popular local musicians will entertain in the Beer Garden Saturday evening while people are waiting for the arena to open for seating. They play a mix of country, folk, bluegrass, old standards and some original Americana. Raihala plays keyboard and guitar and Weese performs on mandolin and guitar and they both sing.

Hear Raihala and Weese at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the beer garden.

Nordic Viking Scandia Dancers

This dance group will perform on all three days of the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival at the fairgrounds. The group includes dancers from second grade to adults, with some members performing at their first midsummer festival. Experienced teenage dancers make up the Viking Dancers, who are frequently joined by the adults from the Scandia Dancers. The Nordic Viking Scandia Dancers are led by Kevin and Bernadeth Ladd.

See the Nordic Viking Scandia Dancers at 7 p.m. Friday at the Queen’s Coronation, 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday on the Arena Stage and 3:45 p.m. Saturday in the Exhibit Hall.

Ryan Phillips

Astoria accordionist Ryan Phillips returns to the festival for the first time in six years. Phillips learned how to play the accordion from Eileen Hagen. One of his first appearances at the festival was when he appeared on stage as a youngster with accordionist Myron Floren of the Lawrence Welk Band. He will be strolling and performing solo tunes, and is pleased to be participating in this year’s festival as his daughter, Riley, is Senior Miss Finland.

Phillips plays 8:30 p.m. Friday at the bonfire after the Queen’s Coronation and at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Exhibit Hall during breakfast.

Festival Entertainment

Beer Babes

Members of this group all belong to the Rose City Accordion Club. The Beer Babes started as an informal group in the beer garden at last year’s festival. They came to the festival to participate in the Astoria Nordic Accordion Band and had so much fun they volunteered to perform again this year. The members are Susan Schwab, Bobbie Fererro and Lisa Roeder.

The Beer Babes return to the beer garden to play at 8 a.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.

Squeezer and Friends

Coreen Bergholm, this year’s festival Grand Marshal, has performed on accordion at all of the Midsummer Festivals since 1978 except for two. Her band Scandinavian Country will play for the Friday evening Queen’s Ball. She will lead the Astoria Nordic Accordion Band in its second appearance at the festival at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and return on Sunday morning with her friends Bobbie Fererro and Lisa Roeder to entertain at 9:30 a.m. in the Exhibit Hall.

Squeezer and Friends take the Exhibit Hall Stage at 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Shanghaied in Astoria

Icelandic Horses

Jackie and Larry Taylor, of Yelm, Washington, return to the festival to show their Icelandic horses in the horse arena in the low building next to the Midsummer Pole. Icelandic horses are a pure breed that developed in Iceland. The horses are mostly pony-sized but are still called horses. They are short backed and can carry a 225-pound man. They are long lived, hardy and have unusual gaits. This year there will be bleachers by the horse arena so you can sit and admire the horses.

Visit the Icelandic horses between 2 and 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday.

Now in its 39th season, “Shanghaied in Astoria” is part vaudeville, part soap opera and part 1950s-style Hollywood musical, all combined into an entertaining look at local cultural folklore, including immigrant cannery workers from Scandinavia.

Hear “Shanghaied” cast members perform olio acts on the hour from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday in the beer garden.

Scandinavian Country

Returning for the Queen’s Ball on Friday evening after the coronation will be local favorite Coreen Bergholm and her band, Scandinavian Country.

Bergholm is the 2024 Grand Marshal for the Midsummer Festival. She came to Astoria from North Dakota in the 1960s and learned the Scandinavian repertoire from her mentors Sven Sundstrom and Joergen Madsen.

As a “snow bird,” Bergholm spent 17 winters leading an accordion band at the Yuma, Arizona, Sons of Norway. Scandinavian Country plays dances like the Varsouvienne and the Butterfly as well as polkas, schottisches, waltzes and hambos. The band even plays the Chicken Dance and the Hokey Pokey. Other musicians include Bobbie Fererro on accordion, Donna Mansfield on violin, John Orr on guitar and David Graves on percussion.

Listen to Scandinavian Country at the Queen’s Ball Dance at 8 p.m. Friday on the Exhibit Hall Stage.

Brownsmead Flats

Back by popular demand, the Brownsmead Flats return to the festival with acoustic music they call “crabgrass,” a folk/bluegrass style with a maritime flavor.

The band focuses on strong instrumentals and tight vocal harmonies. Many of their songs are composed by members of the group and reflect on living in the Pacific Northwest. Dan Sutherland is featured on the hammered dulcimer, fiddle, and mandolin. Ray Raihala picks the banjo, guitar and mandolin. Ned Heavenrich plays harmonica and guitar. John Fenton keeps the band together rhythmically with the bass, and Larry Moore rounds out the group with his expertise on mandolin.

The Brownsmead Flats return to the arena stage at 5:45 p.m. Friday.

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Festival Entertainment

The Polka Dots

This group formed in the fall of 2018 at the suggestion of veteran Astoria accordionist Coreen Bergholm to provide live traditional music for the Fort George Benefit Night for the Nordic Heritage Park.

This North Coast combo, whose members are all of Scandinavian heritage, has special enthusiasm for Northern European dance music. Members include Nancy Word and Ruby McCord on accordion and Noel Rydbom on string bass.

The Polka Dots play at 4 p.m. Friday and 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the Exhibit Hall, at noon Saturday around the Midsummer Pole and at 9 a.m. Sunday on the arena stage.

Leikarringen of Portland

After several years of retirement, Christie Stilson will bring back her talented dancing group to the festival. Leikarringen of Portland is a new Scandinavian Youth dance group with old values — family, friendship, dance and the embracing of the culture and language of Norway.

Leikarringen returns at noon Saturday on the Arena Stage and at 1:15 p.m in the Exhibit Hall.

VASA Youth Group Swedish Dancers

Duo Helene Blum and Harold Haugaard, from Denmark, interpret the Danish musical tradition, bringing to life the nation’s cultural heritage.

Their original songs and compositions sit alongside original interpretations of old songs and tunes from Denmark’s rich treasure trove. Backed by Kirstine Elise Pedersen on cello, Mikkel Grue on guitars and Sune Rahbeck on percussion, this band plays 100 concerts a year, most outside of Denmark, acting as ambassadors for Danish music and culture.

The VASA Youth Group Swedish Dancers come from Portland and will perform at the festival on Saturday only. This group is led by Christine Smith. Catch them leading the dancing around the Midsummer Pole and performing in the exhibit hall.

Viking Encampment

The Empire of Chivalry and Steel will open a Viking Encampment to provide demonstrations of Viking looms, combat and chainmail. This group reenacts and educates audiences on the culture of the European Middle Ages, including art forms, feasts, tournaments, ceremonies, wars and combat arts. They study and teach ideals and history from the period between 800 and 1650 within Europe and to provide an organized effort in the collection, interpretation and distribution of historical data.

The outdoor Viking Encampment will be open starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with demonstrations starting at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

Miss Scandinavia 2023

Molly Oien Lindstrom

The reigning Miss Scandinavia 2023 is Molly, a senior at Astoria High School. She enjoys all aspects of the midsummer festival, especially the bonfire and dancing. Participating in court activities led Molly to research her family history and connect with her ancestors’ heritage. She loves museums, art, performing and is grateful to be part of the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival community. After graduation, she will head to college to major in musical theater or public history.

Running of the Trolls

ASTORIA SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL

The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is pleased to announce the 18th Annual Running of the Trolls run/walk!

Participate in a 1.5 mile run/walk, 3.0 mile run/walk, or 5.75 mile run in the beautiful Olney countryside.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association Scholarship Fund.

The Races starts at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, June 22, 2024, from the Clatsop County Fairgrounds parking lot. Check in 7 to 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds entrance.

Prizes will be awarded to first and second place finishers in the 5.75 mile run.

Cost:

Option #1

$25.00: Troll Run Registration and Troll Run T-shirt

Option #2

$25.00: Troll Run Registration and 3 Day Admission to Festival

Option #3

$35.00: Troll Run Registration, Troll Run T-shirt, and 3 Day Admission to Festival

Register online at astoriascanfest.com/events/troll-run-walk or download and print the form and send it with a check to Troll Run, ASMFA, PO Box 34, Astoria OR 97103.

A bit of history

Thousands of Scandinavians came to Astoria and surrounding areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking work in the fishing and logging industries and in the canneries. The earliest documented summer gathering of Nordic immigrants in Astoria took place in 1938. Other historical sources refer to gatherings centered around folk dance in the 1950s and 1960s. The first documented source that refers to the summer festivities as the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is from 1968.