SCANDINAVIAN FOLK FESTIVAL

We are celebrating the Scandinavian heritage of Southwestern New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania at the Scandinavian Folk Festival. Mark your calendar for July 15 from 10 AM to 8 PM and July 16 from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Northwest Arena in downtown Jamestown, NY. The midsummer celebration with the decorating of the 20 foot pole, processing the pole, and then ring dancing in the street is free beginning at 10 AM on Saturday July 15 next to the Arena. Admission to the Festival is only $5 for adults with children under 16 free.

Trails at Jakes Rocks

A WCCBI Development Project

Enjoy the sites, sounds and taste of Scandinavia. Swedish meatball dinners will be served by 3cs Catering. Norm’s world famous Korvburgers will be served by the Allen Park Woman’s Club. Watch also for Swedish waffles, lingonberry drink, soda, water, Danish beer and of course coffee. While eating listen to the music of Smorgasbandet from Long Island and Simple Gifts from central Pennsylvania. We will also be featuring our local musicians such as the Jamestown Municipal Band, DemBones (seven trombones), Bonnie Lock Fiddlers, Svenska Spelmän and the Thule Lodge Swedish Adult and Children’s Folk Dance Teams.

Be educated around such topics as the Swedish mayors of Jamestown presented by Mayor

Edward Sundquist and Ashley Senske with more of a focus on Mayor Samuel A. Carlson presented by Paul Leone covering the mayor’s establishment of our power plant, his non-partisan politics and his leading a delegation to Europe and meeting with Hitler. Nancy Marie Brown from Vermont will lead a discussion of two of her books “The Far Traveler” about the daily life of women during the Viking era and “The Hidden Folk – How Iceland’s Elves Can Save the World.” In addition, there are presentations about Astrid Lindgren, Swedish Food (including recipes), folk instruments and more.

One can take a workshop by bringing in your instrument to learn a Swedish tune or how to play the spoons. Christin Curran from the Swedish Museum in Seattle will teach the craft of Nålbinding.

Many vendors from as far away as Denver will share their Scandinavian related items along with the Festival’s own gift shop and loppis. (flea market)

On the other ice rink there will be scheduled times for practicing curling or riding in ice bumper cars. Artisans will be scheduled to demonstrate Swedish weaving, Norwegian painting, chip carving and other skills.

Learn

For more details about the Festival, check out our website at scandinavianjamestown.org or the Facebook page at Scandinavian Folk Festival. Behold Scandinavia!