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Annual event coming to Gerry Rodeo Grounds

GERRY – Once a year, the magic of Scandinavia is celebrated with a local festival.

The 2014 Scandinavian Folk Festival will be the largest one to date primarily because of the music of ABBA and over 30 combatants in the Viking Village.

Where else can one have such a variety of entertainment, cultural activities, ethnic foods and vendors, lectures, exhibits and of course Norm’s korv burgers? The festival features all the pickled herring one can eat and the opportunity to ring dance around the Midsummer pole just like many of our ancestors. The festival is sponsored by the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and pass on the Scandinavian culture. The festival is located on the Gerry Rodeo Grounds on Friday, July 18, from 1-10 p.m.; Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In the 1920 census of Jamestown, there were 11,415 foreign-born residents of which 6,989, or 61.2 percent, were born in Sweden. At that time, Jamestown had the highest percentage of Swedes living in this town as compared to any other city in the United States.

Jamestown maintains this heritage by being the center for the celebration of the Scandinavian culture in this corner of the world. The festival is a celebration for this community as well as our many citizens with Scandinavian ancestors.

ENTERTAINMENT

The featured entertainment for this year is the sound of ABBA. The group ABBA Girlz will provide major productions on stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 p.m. on Saturday.

The ABBA Girlz are from the New York City area and have performed all over the United States. The group consists of the four singers with two back up musicians.

Their show will be in the style of the original ABBA with their music, costumes, routines and other stage effects. This is the biggest stage production ever to be part of the festival.

Other entertainment includes The Swedish Meatballs, also from New York City, performing traditional and contemporary Scandinavian music.

Sure to draw attention are the over 50 folk dancers including the Toronto Swedish Folk Dance Team and the local Thule Lodge Adult and Children’s Folk Dance Teams. Also from Toronto are the Toronto Singers.

The Viking Lodge Chorus and Ylsa Maj from Jamestown and the Vasa Voices from Cleveland will also be singing. On Sunday morning there is a sing-a-long of religious songs in English or Swedish for the community. Two other bands, Svenska Spelman and Jamestown Spelman, will round out the entertainment.

SPECIAL EVENTS

On Saturday morning at 11 the festival musicians and dancers process in with the midsummer pole. When it is erected, the community is invited to ring dance around the pole. This tradition is the second most popular event in Sweden after Christmas and it celebrates the long days of sunlight.

The Viking game Kubb tournament will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday with prizes awarded in various age groups. There will be two Kubb courts for anybody to play the game and practice as well as the tournament.

Karen Livsey from the Fenton History Center will be available for consultation about researching one’s ancestors. Those interested should come prepared with any information they already have. Looking for a “Carl Carlson from Sweden” does not work too well.

Prata Svenska will allow attendees to listen to the Swedish language being spoken or to talk with somebody in Swedish. It is not instructional, but is a gathering spot for the fun of the language.

The festival has some gifts for raffle such as a handmade afghan wall hanging and tickets to the Mama Mia stage production at Shea’s Theater in November. Attendees should check the numbers on their programs to win one of the door prizes.

CULTURE TENT

There are a number of cultural handwork traditions that will be demonstrated and taught at this year’s festival. Wood working will be done with chip carving. Working with fabric will include Swedish weaving, Hardanger embroidery, as well as spinning and felt making. There will be classes and demonstrations of Norwegian rosemaling painting techniques. Visit the Norwegian knitters to pick up some tips and perhaps a pattern to knit.

The Culture Tent is also the location of the Child and Family Center. Specials activities include Lego blocks, storytelling and craft activities.

MARKET

The festival operates three shopping areas. One is the Loppis which is a Swedish flea market. Some items are new, most are barely used. With all the Swedes living in the area, there are many Swedish heirlooms in the community.

Another section of the Market Tent is the Made in Jamestown area. Here, local artisans offer their Scandinavian-related items for sale. What a unique opportunity. The third area is the Festival Gift Shop. Here, one can pick up festival-related items, books and many other Scandinavian items.

In addition to the festival’s Market Tent, there are many other vendors from all over the East Coast who offer a wide range of Scandinavian-related items. Don’t miss the several vendors in the Viking Village theme area also.

ETHNIC FOOD

What is an ethnic event without ethnic foods? The Festival Food Pavilion offers a range of choices either as a platter or an individual serving. One can choose from Swedish meatballs, korv, kaldolmar, yellow pea soup, fruit soupa, rice pudding, pickled herring, boiled potatoes with dill and cucumber salad. The American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation will be serving Norm’s world-famous korv burgers.

On Saturday morning, the Vasa Voices will be offering Swedish waffles with lingonberries and on Sunday morning, the Thule Lodge Folk Dance Team will be serving Swedish pancakes with lingonberries. The Kaffe Stuga is a great place for family and friends to gather and enjoy a cup of Swedish coffee with a “goodie” or a strawberry sundae. If one is thirsty there is lingonberry drink or Carlsberg beer available.

Other foods will be provided by St. Timothy Lutheran Church who will be serving beef on weck. Snack items can be obtained at Jones 212 Bakery and Franklin’s Honey.

For more information about the Scandinavian Folk Festival visit scandinavianjamestown.org or dial 665-0883. The best gate deal is the weekend pass for $15 which includes all activities at the festival including the ABBA concerts. Weekend passes can be purchased at Ecklof Bakery, Peterson Farm or the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts Box Office at 484-7070 where passes can be ordered and charged.

The festival would not happen without our many volunteers. Service can be provided before, during or after the Festival. Four hours of volunteer support result in a free day pass. Those who would like to volunteer should call the above number.

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