Scandinavian Day kicked off fall in the Chicago area
With music and flags flying in the breeze, music and folk dancing on several stages and an abundance of Scandinavian treats, Scandinavian Day was celebrated at the Vasa Park in South Elgin, Ill.
The 33rd Scandinavian Day combined all the elements of a perfect late summer festival for the many Scandinavians and Scandinavian-Americans who gathered for the day. Food is an important part of our traditions and throughout the day a variety of specialties was enjoyed by all—from meatball and fried herring dinners to Swedish pancakes, Danish aebleskiver or Norwegian waffles. One of the pleasures of Scandinavian Day is shopping for crafts, Swedish gifts and groceries, and close to 40 vendors made sure every interest was met. All the attendees and the warm feeling of belonging is really what sets this Scandinavian celebration apart from many other similar events. Hats off to the festival committee, park organizers and every volunteer for making it possible!
Two Swedish "chicks"—Karin Abercrombie, executive director of the Swedish American Museum and Janet Nelson of Nelson Funeral Chapel. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Record attendance at Scandinavian Day in South Elgin, packed with events, activities, vendors, and warm and cheerful Scandinavians. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Lu Ann of LuAnn Specialties of Galva, Illinois—near Bishop Hill and sister city with Gävle, Sweden. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Friends of North Park University (L-R): Anne Marie Andreasson-Hogg with daughter Mathilde, Ann-Helen Anderson, Karin Andersson and Don Olson. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Susan (Peterson) Bos, a descendant of the first settlers in Bishop Hill, exhibiting her own pottery. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Popular among the exhibitors is Chicago's Swedish American Museum. Here, Karin Abercrombie, executive director, left, with a happy Swedish chick, Janet Nelson of Nelson Funeral Chapel, Andersonville. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Record attendance at Scandinavian Day in South Elgin, packed with events, activities, vendors, and warm and cheerful Scandinavians. ENLARGE IMAGE »
Nicolai Schousboe, Johannes Smits and Linda Steffensen greeted visitors at the Danish-American community tent at the Scandinavian Day Festival in South Elgin, IL on Sunday, September 9, 2012. ENLARGE IMAGE »
The Danish Immigrant Museum from Elk Horn, Iowa was present at the Scandinavian Day Festival in South Elgin, Illinois with a five-panel display about The Danish Pioneer Newspaper's 140-year publishing history. ENLARGE IMAGE »
