Vesterheim Events at the 46th annual Decorah Nordic Fest

Vikings, folk-art, theatre productions, costumes, storytellers, art demonstrations, and more—Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum will be a center of activity during Decorah’s 46th Annual Nordic Fest, “Return to the Nest for the 46th Fest,” which kicks off with opening ceremonies on Thursday evening, July 26, and runs through Saturday, July 28. Vesterheim will have special events all day on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28.

Be sure to stop by the Bruening Visitor Center in the museum’s Westby-Torgerson Education Center at 502 W. Water Street, where you can buy museum admission tickets and gather information for your visit. There is also a computerized catalog of objects, touch-screen access to video presentations and virtual galleries, and commissioned murals by Norwegian artist Sigmund Aarseth.

Highlights

• Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition will be on view June 7-July 28, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, in the museum’s Main Building. Visitors can enjoy this exceptional exhibition of knifemaking, rosemaling, weaving, and woodworking by some of the best contemporary American artists. Many of the pieces will be for sale by silent auction.
• This year, the original children’s theatre production Sigvald: A Sculptor's Life—a collaboration between Vesterheim, Upstart Crow Theatreworks, and Arthaus. The program is sponsored by Robert E.A. and Elaine Lee.
• Returning from Knox City, Missouri, is Sam Shoults and his Viking ship replica. The Viking longship called “Yrsa” is 27 feet long and six and a half feet wide. Shoults will tell visitors about his many adventures, including sailing “Yrsa” down the Mississippi River.



• Vesterheim welcomes back the re-enactment group, “Skjaldborg,” from Elk Horn, Iowa. “Skjaldborg” is an old Norse word that means “fortress of shields.” Come and visit their full Viking camp in the museum’s Open Air Division to see how Vikings lived. They will entertain with full combat demonstrations.



• The museum’s Open Air Division will come to life with the Living Heritage Demonstrators from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Watch experts show their crafts of blacksmithing, figure carving, leather work, knifemaking, turning wooden plates and bowls, chair-making, and more.



• Of course you won’t want to miss the museum’s folk-art demonstrators and sales; exhibitions; and special presentations!

Nordic Fest is a celebration of the spirit of Scandinavia, and includes fun activities for the whole family. Traditions, new and old, abound throughout the weekend. There will be lively dancing, challenging sporting events, delicious food, and lots of other entertainment. To learn more about other aspects of the fest, call the “troll-free” hotline at 1-800-382-FEST, or check out the Nordic Fest website at www.nordicfest.com.