Midsommardagen

This lovely Swedish festival is perhaps the most popular one of the year! Join us at Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia for this outdoor festival celebrating the beauty of Summer Day. Dating back to ancient times, Midsommardagen marks the longest day of the year and welcomes back warm weather.

Traditional Swedish music, group folk dancing, hands-on activities, arts and craft fair, demonstrations by artists, and, in the center of it all, the Majstang/Midsommarstang (May/Midsummer Pole), freshly decorated with spring greenery.

Bring your picnic lunch and blanket to enjoy on the museum grounds. Note: no alcohol is allowed on the museum property.

Swedish meatballs, ice cream, and cold beverages will be available for sale.

Schedule of Events:

Historic Buildings Open to the Public: 10:00-1:00 and 3:00-4:00

Arts and Craft Fair: 10:00-4:00
-Apothecary’s Daughter
-B.E. Nelson Design
-Bluebird Recovery Program of Minnesota
-Braided Stream Arts
-Josie Cooke
-Lisa Rydin Erickson
-Bill Jaeger
-Ron and Erik Nelson
-Nordic Arts
-Nordic Scents
-Prairie Willows Farm
-RecycleYourCamera.com “For Kids”
-Stitches by Carin

Demonstrations by Artists: 10:00-4:00
-B.E. Nelson Design -chain making, Viking knitting, chip carving, and “Tramp Art”
-Josie Cooke -spinning
-Bill Jaeger -woodcarving
-Ron and Erik Nelson -woodcarving
-Prairie Willows Farm -spinning alongside sheep (a ewe and lambs)

Butik (Gammelgarden’s Gift Shop) Open: 10:00-4:00

Hands-on Activities for People of All Ages: 10:30-12:30
-Make Fresh-Flower Head Wreaths
-Help Decorate the Majstang/Midsommarstång
-Make a Mini-Majstång/Midsommarstång
-Jumping Frog Craft
-Swedish Coloring Sheets
-Summer Scavenger Hunt

Music by the Scandia Community Band: 12:15-1:00

Raising of Majstång/Midsommarstang, May/Midsummer Pole: 1:00
-Invocation by Pastor Seth Perry of Elim Lutheran Church
-Folk Music by the ASI Cloudberries (Women’s Chorus Based out of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota)
-Folk Dancing by the Vasa Junior Folk Dancers (Children Ages 3-18 Years Old who Preserve Swedish Dance, Traditions, and Heritage; and Share Swedish Culture with the Community)