Minot Daily News
STATE FAIR
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021
Activities
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WILL BE BACK
By ANDREA JOHNSON will be a theater dance by a
group from the MHA Nation. Staff Writer Korslien anticipates that ajohnson@minotdailynews.com there could be even more exfter a year off due to the hibits on display in the All Seacoronavirus pandemic, sons Arena this year because so the North Dakota State many didn’t get to be shown Fair will be back July 23-31, last year. In an average year there are knock on wood. “I’ve heard lots of good com- more than 45,000 competitive ments, not about anything spe- exhibits on display at some cific, just oh, we want to come point during the fair, including back, we want to do things, we 4H, FFA, and other entries. Korslien also said people want to be at the Fair, we want to see friends,” said general should enter their exhibits early and should not wait until manager Renae Korslien. Korslien urged people to the last minute so that they can consider buying tickets for the all be displayed. One fun event will call on main acts early because she anticipates that some could be legislators, mayors, and other prominent folk to try their sold out. Tickets for the main acts hand at displaying pigs, sheep, went on sale on March 31. and goats in a showman’s conHeadliners include rockers test on the last Friday of the Lynyrd Skynyrd and Billy Idol, State Fair in Arena 2. “It’s new,” said Korslien. “It and country acts Dan & Shay, Ashley McBryde, Sawyer will be fun.” The State Fair will take adBrown, Casey Donahew and ditional steps such as providKane Brown. Other main acts that are ing more hand sanitizing sure to please are the Ranch stations and portable hand Rodeo, Bulls & Broncs, the En- wash stations and perhaps fogduro Race, and Freestyle Mo- ging bleachers. They will decide on any additional tocross. Korslien said the feedback precautions that might be on the entertainment has been needed closer to July when they know more about the rate extremely positive this year. Many of the free stage acts of coronavirus cases in the also promise to please. Some area. As of mid-March, numare returning favorites, like the bers were down, vaccinations 188th Army Band and Daryl’s were up, and there were no reRacing Pigs. As in previous strictions on gatherings. It years, there will be a dog act should help that the State Fair but Korslien said the act is al- is largely an outdoor event, she said. ways different. Fair rides and food booths, “We try and have dogs because they’re one of the favorite with fried everything, will also be back, with added disinfectthings,” she said. The World of Wonder ing precautions taken to help show will feature circus illu- prevent the spread of coronsions under a big tent and there avirus.
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Carnival rides and food are a few staples every year at the North Dakota State Fair.
NORSK HOSTFEST
MDN File Photos
IS SCHEDULED FOR
SEPT. 30 - OCT. 2
Tickets slated to go on sale on May 17 By ANDREA JOHNSON
Staff Writer ajohnson@minotdailynews.com ith any luck, Scandimonium will be back this fall at the Norsk Hostfest Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the All Seasons Arena at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds. Like many other events in the area, the continent’s largest Scandinavian American festival had to be called off last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now that numbers of coronavirus cases are down, plans can be made again for festivities. “We’re planning on having the Hostfest just like every other organization is planning on having their festival,” said Norsk Hostfest Association President David Reiten. Plans are likely to move forward unless there is a resurgence of the coronvairus or some other unforeseen event. In mid-March, Reiten said festival organizers were still finalizing contracts with main entertainment acts and food and craft booths that are traditionally at the Hostfest. He thought tickets for the Hostfest would be ready to go
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on sale on May 17, or Syttende Mai, which is the Norwegian Independence Day. “We are lining up booths,” said Reiten. “The vast majority (who were slated to come) last year (or were here) two years ago are excited about coming back. They missed the Hostfest and they missed doing booths in other places.” He said festival organizers have also been talking with sponsors about re-signing for the fall and they have received a good preliminary response. The Norsk Hostfest Board of Directors will also discuss in the near future a replacement for former executive director Pam Davy, who has retired. Reiten said he is hopeful that there will be no restrictions on occupancy or spacing when the Hostfest is held in late September. North Dakota has lifted restrictions for businesses that had been in place earlier in the pandemic. However, there are still pandemic-related restrictions, including on travel. As of the end of March, the U.S.-Canadian border remained closed for all but essential travel.’ “We will just have to wait and see,” said Reiten, though he said people are pretty confident that more and more restrictions will be eased as the year goes by. The Hosfest celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017. It was founded by Reiten’s father, Chester Reiten, to celebrate the Scandinavian heritage of the area. Over the years, the event has hosted royalty, dignitaries
Numerous activities envelope the annual festival of Norsk Hostfest. from the Nordic countries, performers, craftsmen, chefs, educators and numerous other presenters. It has been held every fall with a vast army of local volunteers. Minot residents have hosted visitors in their homes and schools have educated children about Scandinavian tradi-
tions through its Hostfest in the Schools program. Local Lutheran churches set up food booths where traditional fare is served, including rice pudding from Augusta, rommegrot by First Lutheran Church, Bethany Lutheran Church’s sot suppe, biscuits and gravy and lutefisk; Christ Lutheran’s potet klub, or
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potato dumplings; the Dakota Finnish Society’s beef stew’ bread pudding by Daarthe; and the ever popular Viking on a Stick. Past highlights have included spectacles like the historical reenactors in the Viking Village, where people dressed up in historic Viking garb
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demonstrated live steel combat and others showed off Viking games and sports and crafting skills. People have also enjoyed taking crafting classes at “Hostfest University” in past years. More information about the Hostfest can be found at the Hostfest website at hostfest.com.