Vesterheim invites everyone to celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s Constitution Day!
Syttende Mai is the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll and Norwegians celebrate with excited crowds—especially children—marching through the streets, waving flags, and singing songs.
Vesterheim’s celebration includes free admission all day. Onsite, there will be a Children’s Parade throughout Vesterheim Heritage Park, a performance by Decorah’s Nordic Dancers, story time, and a hands-on craft making flags! The day wouldn’t be complete without food – free ice cream treats at Vesterheim and traditional food at The Landing Market.
Online, Nordic folk musician Vidar Skrede will give a live stream concert with traditional fiddle music.
Schedule of the Day
On Site
10:30-12:00 – Heritage Park Tour
11:30-12:30 – Hands-on Craft – Making Flags in the museum’s Main Building
12:30 – Storytelling on the third floor of the museum’s Main Building
1:00 – Children’s Parade through Heritage Park
1:15 – Ice Cream Served in Heritage Park
1:30 – Welcome from Chris Johnson, Vesterheim President/CEO
1:35 – Performance by Decorah’s Nordic Dancers on Mill St. near Heritage Park
2:30 – Heritage Park Tour
Online from Home
12:00 – Livestream Concert with Nordic folk Musician Vidar Skrede, join here
Vidar Skrede is a freelance Nordic folk musician, playing fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, and guitar. He is from Norway and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has a background in the traditional music of Rogaland, his home area in the south west of Norway, and has a masters degree in Nordic folk music at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, Sweden. He is known from several bands such as Geitungen, Vidar Skrede DYNAMO BAND, AAMOS, and Secret Carpet Club. Many of his CDs have been nominated for best folk music album in Norway and Finland. Vidar has been sharing his music in the United States since 2010 with various touring groups from Scandinavia. In addition to performing, he teaches music around the Midwest.
Offsite Traditional Food at The Landing Market, 211 College Dr.
8:00-2:00 – Vafler (traditional Norwegian waffles) with a choice of toppings. Stop by!
5:00-7:00 – Passport Dinner – hearty smørrebrød (open-face sandwiches) plate with bløtkake (cream cake). Child’s plate and gluten-free available. Reservations requested at info@thelandingmarket.com.
5:30-6:30 – Hardanger fiddle music by Eden Ehm
Syttende Mai is a great time to see what’s happening at Vesterheim, and the exhibits Dolls: Playing with Identity; Scandinavian American: Photography by National Geographic Explorer Erika Skogg, which has been extended through May 22; and the newly opened Herbjørn Gausta, 1854-1924!
If there is rain, the parade, ice cream, and Nordic Dancers will be canceled.
