How often do you get to transport yourself into another culture right in your own backyard? Once again this year you’ll get that chance when you attend the Scandinavian Folk Festival at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds.
Next weekend, the 15, 16 and 17, more than 3,000 people will fill the Grounds to enjoy the 10th annual Scandinavian Folk Festival, said Don Sandy, Festival Coordinator.
This year, the festival will be featuring more than just local Scandinavian talent, but world-renowned artists from Scandinavia itself! Scandinavia technically covers Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Lapland region, which the Sami people inhabit.
Coming from Stockholm, the Rockridge brothers are one of the two first-time artists at the festival this year. They will be performing American Bluegrass-based music. The second first-time artist is a trio from Finland that will feature light, Classical music. Peter Puma Hedlund, a world famous award-winning Nyckelharpa player, returns to the festival as well as 24 folk dancers from Toronto.
Many different groups throughout the three-day festival will provide entertainment but some of the favorites are The Viking Chorus, Nordanvind and Svenska Spelmän.
Besides the festival’s traditional Swedish meatball dinner on Friday, the Korv dinner and the Midsummer event on Saturday, another highlight of the festival is the Scandinavian folk dancers who perform throughout the festival.
“There is a big dance floor in the entertainment tent for people to get involved,” Sandy said. “They can even learn the polka, schottis or the waltz.”
In the Viking Village there will be a Viking ship from Philadelphia as well as a blacksmith practicing in the Norwegian style.
The “loppis” (flea market), the festival gift shop and the “Made in Jamestown” tent make up the Market Tent this year.
“The ‘Made in Jamestown’ tent will have local artisans with many unique items to be found,” Sandy said.
The traditional Kubb tournament will take place on Saturday afternoon to determine who is the best player. “Kubb is a lawn game where you throw batons to knock down the opponents blocks,” Sandy said. “Once you have completed that process you can toss your baton to knock down the King and be the winner.”
However, added to the 10th annual festival are two new sections. One specifically for children and families and the other a tent for lectures. The family area will feature storytelling and Scandinavian crafts for children. The lecture tent will feature 16 lectures over the three days.
Another rare-find is the genealogy area where people can bring information about their ancestors and look further into their family history. A genealogist from Sweden will be present as well as Karen Livsey from the Fenton History Center.
The full entertainment, lecture and workshop schedules are available at www.scandinavianjamestown.org under the “Program Lineup” tab near the top of the page.
“Even in bad weather there is plenty of space to stay dry,” Sandy said.
With plenty of huge tents Sandy knows that no matter what people can have a great time.
The festival begins on Friday, July 15th from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $6 ($4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.); Saturday, the 16th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for $7 ($4 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.); and Sunday, the 17th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for just $3.
“Everything in the festival is free unless you’re buying something,” Sandy said.
So come on out and enjoy the 10th Annual Scandinavian Folk Festival rain or shine.
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