Schedule:

Friday, June 16, 2023

Booths Open
2pm - 6:30pm, Arena
Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures. Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for your dining and snacking pleasure.

Raffle Tickets
2pm - 7pm
Be sure to buy raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.

Icelandic Horses
2pm - 6pm
Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington will show their Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Entertainment
3:15pm - 6:30pm, Arena Stage
Kardemimmit from Finland, the Brownsmead Flats from Astoria, and Gangspil from Denmark with Kristian and Sonnich will entertain live on the Arena Stage.

Beer Garden Open
3pm - 11pm, Arena
Adult beverages and a limited menu of snacks will be offered in the beer garden hosted by the Astor Street Opry.

Beef Pot Roast Dinner
Hosted by Olney Grange

4:30pm -7pm or until supply runs out
Exhibit Hall
Beef pot roast, baked potato, green beans, roll, salad, pie, beverage, $18; children under 11, $9.

Queen’s Coronation
7pm, Arena
Princesses sponsored by the Danish Society, Finnish Brotherhood, Sons of Norway and VASA Swedish Lodge will speak about their Scandinavian heritage.  A panel of judges will select one to reign as Miss Scandinavia 2023.

Torchlight Parade To Bonfire And Hex Burning
8pm approximately (following the Queen’s coronation,) Parking Area
Scandia men with flaming torches will lead the newly crowned Miss Scandinavia and audience members to the bonfire to throw straw hexes into the flames.  This tradition symbolizes ridding oneself of bad luck for the year.

Queen’s Family Ball
with Scandinavian Country
8pm - 11pm, Exhibit Hall
Miss Scandinavia and her father or special partner will lead the first dance of the 2023 Midsummer Festival. Join the dancing or watch the dancers and listen to great music.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Midnight Sun Breakfast
Served by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver, WA
7am - 11am, Exhibit Hall
Buffet: Norwegian Jarlsberg egg cake, Finnish Pyttipannu (Scandinavian pan-fried scramble of potato, onions, sausage & egg), Cardamom Coffee Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream,, Norwegian Rommegrot (sour cream porridge/pudding with cinnamon and sugar), Lefse (fresh off the griddle), Scandinavian cheese, Shrimp and salmon lox, Fresh assorted breads, Fruit, Fresh baked Danish pastry, Coffee, OJ, water. $15.00 (Kids 6 and under: $6)
(Menus are subject to change depending on ingredient availability in June.)

Running Of The Trolls
8:30am
Walluski area by Clatsop County Fairgrounds
Join us for a walk or run in the beautiful Walluski countryside. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association Scholarship Fund. Registration is available online or at the festival. Check-in is from 7-8am on Saturday in the Main Entry Hall. The Race begins at 8:30am.

Booths
9am - 6:30pm, Arena
Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures.  Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for your dining and snacking pleasure.

Raffle Tickets
9am - 7pm
Be sure to buy raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.

Icelandic Horses
9am - 4pm, Horse Arena
Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington will show their Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Entertainment
9am - 4:45pm, Arena
1:15pm - 6:30pm, Exhibit Hall
There will be live Scandinavian themed entertainment and dancing on arena and exhibit hall stages throughout most of the day.  Pick up a festival program at the admission table or view one of the posted schedules to find your favorite band, singer, or dance troupe.

Empire Of Chivalry And Steel Viking Encampment
10am – 6pm, Outdoors
The Empire of Chivalry and Steel will hold an open house in their Viking encampment outdoors south of the Arena.  Costumed reenactors will demonstrate crafts, tournaments, armor making, and combat arts from the culture of the Middle Ages.

Beer Garden
11am - 11pm
Adult beverages and a limited menu of snacks will be offered.  Your host is the Astor Street Opry that will also provide 30 minutes of live entertainment every hour starting at 1pm.

Barnefest
11am - 5pm, Arena (Saturday Only)
Young festival attendees can participate in children’s activities in the Barnefest area.  Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.

Optog - Festival Parade
11:30am, festival grounds
Miss Scandinavia and her court, costumed dancers and entertainers, representatives from the Scandinavian lodges, and family groups will parade through the arena and festival grounds to the outdoor stage for the Flag Raising and Midsummer Pole ceremony. The Grand Marshal will be named soon.

Flag Raising
12pm, Midsummer Pole
Come and hear the national songs of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden while Miss Scandinavia and her court assist in the pageantry of the raising of the flags of these Scandinavian countries. (In case of rain, flag raising will be moved to the Exhibit Hall.)

Midsummer Pole Raising & Dancing
12:30pm (Approx.) Midsummer Pole
Watch local men and sturdy women (and volunteers!) skillfully raise the Midsummer Pole.  The Polka Dots will play live music for dancing around the Midsummer Pole led by Christine Smith and the VASA Youth Group Swedish Dancers. All are welcome to join in!

Tug Of War
1pm, Outdoors by Midsummer Pole
Teams of eight will vie to be champion. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver.

Kubb Exhibition And Tournament
1:30pm - 3:30 pm, in front of the Midsummer Pole
Kubb is a yard game of Scandinavian origins which has been played for about 1,000 years. No prior skills are required. Join Dave Alford and friends to play Kubb by the Midsummer Pole. All are welcome.

Parade Of National Folk Wear And Authentic Sweaters
5pm, Exhibit Hall
Are you curious about the lovely costumes worn by representatives of the Scandinavian countries.  Come and see and hear them explained in a fashion show with live models. Are you wearing an authentic Nordic sweater. Come and join in.

Viking Dinner
served by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver, WA
4pm - 7pm, Exhibit Hall
Buffet: Danish pork roast in mushroom sauce, Beef and Green Cabbage in Nordic Spices, Swedish Meatballs in Brown Cream Gravy, Medister Polse (Norwegian Pork Sausage), Braised Red Cabbage, Janneson’s Temptation (a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, bread crumbs and cream), Garden Salad, Danish Smorrebrod (Open-Faced Sandwiches), Shrimp and Herring Salad , Nordic Cheeses, Fresh Baked Bread and Crisps, Cream Filled Pastry Shells drizzled in Dark Chocolate, Cookies and Pastries, Soda, Coffee & Bottled Water. $19.00 (Kids 6 and under: $8) (Menu is subject to change depending on ingredient availability in June.)

Meatball Eating Contest
6pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Swedish meatballs can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back. The champion will win a prize. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.

Ebleskiver Eating Contest
6pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Æbleskiver (Danish donuts) can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back. The champion will win an Æbleskiver’s pan and recipe. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Sisu Breakfast
Served by Scandinavian Cafe of Vancouver WA
7am - 11am, Exhibit Hall
Pannukakku (Finnish pancake), Ham, Nordic Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes, Fresh Fruit, Scandinavian Cheese Selection, Fresh Pastry, Breads and Crisps, Water/OJ/Coffee. $12.00 per person.
(Menu is subject to change depending on ingredient availability in June.)

Booths Open
9am - 2pm, Arena
Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures.  Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for your dining and snacking pleasure.

Raffle Tickets
9am - 1pm
Today’s your last chance to buy raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.

Icelandic Horses
9am -2pm, Horse Arena
Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington will show their Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.

Entertainment
10am - 2pm, Arena
There will be live Scandinavian themed entertainment throughout most of the day.  Pick up a festival program at the admission table or view one of the posted schedules to find your favorite band, singer, or dance troupe.

Empire Of Chivalry And Steel Viking Encampment
10am - 2pm, Outdoors
The Empire of Chivalry and Steel will hold an open house in their Viking encampment outdoors south of the Arena.  Costumed reenactors will demonstrate crafts, tournaments, armor making, and combat arts from the culture of the Middle Ages.

Non-Denominational Church Service
11am, Exhibit Hall
Join us for a non-denominational church service with Pastor Steve Kienberger.

Meatball Eating Contest
12:15pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Swedish meatballs can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back. The champion will win a prize. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.

Ebleskiver Eating Contest
12:15pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Æbleskiver (Danish donuts) can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back. The champion will win an Æbleskiver’s pan and recipe. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.

Barnefest Raffle
1pm, Exhibit Hall
Who will win the great prizes donated by community members and businesses to support the children’s activity area.

Festival Raffle
1pm, Exhibit Hall
Who will win the beautiful prizes donated by the Scandinavian Festival Association and lodges and businesses and the grand prize of $1,000.  Did you buy your tickets.  Join us on Sunday to learn who the winners are.  You need not be present to win.

Flag Ceremony And Festival Closing
1:30pm, Arena
The 2023 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival ends as the national songs of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are sung one more time and the flags leave the hall.  Say good-bye to your friends and family and make plans to join us again in 2024 for our 57th anniversary festival.

Date: June 16 - 18, 2023

Location:

Clatsop County Fairgrounds
92937 Walluski Loop
Astoria, OR 97103

Admission:
3-day Wristband - Adult $10
3-day Wristband - Children (6-12 yrs.) $4
(5 and under free)

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