Little Sweden USA: Calendar Archives

September 20, 2007

Lindsborg Tomorrow Community World's Fair

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May 23, 2007

Lindsborg Celebrates Midsummer's June 16th

It's a bit more than 3 weeks until Lindsborg celebrates Midsummer's Day the weekend of June 16th, and if you have any questions about the event, see the following:

Full details are available at the Midsummer's Day blog, where a comprehensive press release, detailing the schedule, list of vendors, and more has just been posted. Check it out, and we'll see you in Lindsborg the 3rd weekend in June.

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June 8, 2006

Midsummer's Madness

Downtown Lindsborg Merchants are hosting their Midsummer’s Madness event the day of Midsummer’s. On Saturday, June 17th, Midsummer’s attendees are encouraged to take the short walk from the park to downtown where they can both experience more of what Lindsborg has to offer as well as enter into a drawing for a fine piece of artwork made by a local artist.

The Midsummer’s Program has an entry coupon that needs to be marked by 4 participating merchants and then deposited at the Swedish Country Inn, downtown Lindsborg. The lucky winner of the drawing will receive a fine piece of Swedish Folk Art: a hand painted tray of Kurbit design by Carla J Wilson (www.flipartlindsborg.com).

Carla’s art may be purchased at both the Swedish Country Inn and the Old Grind, both in downtown Lindsborg, or from her website. An image of the piece being awarded as the prize this year is available: www.littleswedenusa.com/images/kurbit_design_tray.jpg

Here's a smaller version for your enjoyment:

Kurbit design tray

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June 7, 2006

Celebrate Midsummer's June 17th 2006

Here's the latest press release I'm sending out regarding this year's Midsummer's Day Festival in Lindsborg.

Press Release
Available in doc (Word), PDF and .txt formats. Please feel free to share this info with other interested parties. The address for this page is: http://www.littleswedenusa.com/archives/2006/06/celebrate_midsu.html

CONTACT:
Mike Rodriquez
(785) 227-2928
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
http://www.lindsborg.org/midsummers.htm

June 1st, 2006 For Immediate Release
"Midsummer Festival to be held on Saturday, June 17th."
Updates: new Swedish foods, children's activities, vendor list, garden tour details

LINDSBORG, KS - Midsummer's Day, a traditional Swedish festival celebrated worldwide, returns to Lindsborg: Little Sweden USA, the weekend of June 17th 2006. This festival, held to celebrate the beginning of summer, is one of the most popular of all Swedish celebrations. Lindsborg is proud to host this fun-filled family oriented Swedish-American festival, this year featuring special guest performers from Sweden. Now in its 35th year, Lindsborg's 2006 Midsummer's Day promises to be a fun-filled day for everyone in the family, so be sure to join us in Lindsborg's Swensson Park on Saturday, June 17th!

This year, very special guests will be performing at Midsummer's. From Mora, Sweden, the Mora Folkdanslag, a Swedish Folk dance group, will be joining the celebration. Also performing will be the Leikarring, which is a Folk dance group whose members belong to the Norwegian Society of Texas. Of course, the high school group Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers and the adult Lindsborg Folkdanslag dancers will also be performing the weekend of Midsummer's.

On Saturday numerous local Midsummer activities will be held throughout Lindsborg - Swedish Folk Dancing, crafts, food and more in Swensson Park during the day, on to the Bethany College student union for the early evening smörgåsbord, and down to the Old Mill Heritage Square historical complex for evening Swedish folkdancing and maypole (majstång) raising. There is even an afternoon garden tour featuring a few fine Lindsborg homes for those seeking a change of pace. The day concludes with a midnight swim at the Lindsborg pool from 10pm until midnight.

*New* Children's activities have been enhanced and expanded this year. The young ones will be sure to enjoy games such as the Lutefisk toss and Swede ball. There will also be miniature Maypole decorating, face painting, the crafting of dala horse name tags, and more. This year truly promises fun for the whole family!

*New* New this year at Midsummer's is a special Swedish delicacy known as Varm Korv med bröd, which translates to warm sausage with bread, otherwise known as a hotdog on a bun. But these aren't just any hotdog! They've been specially created for this event by a local meat processor and are based on an old traditional Swedish recipe for hotdogs

Admission for the day's events (not including the Smörgåsbord) is $3 adult, $2 children ages 4 to 12, and youth under age 4 will be admitted free. For the second year in a row the first 200 paid attendees dressed in a Swedish costume will receive a commemorative pin. This price includes the evening's entertainment at the Old Mill.

Midsummer's Activities & Events Details

While the Swedish Folk Dances are a large part of what makes Midsummer's enjoyable for the whole family, there's much more happening at Lindsborg's Midsummer's Day Festival. For the little ones, there's a full slate of activities planned, including games such as the lutefisk toss as well the always popular face painting. In addition, there will be a vending area featuring a wide variety of arts & crafts, as well as a food court where a number of food vendors will provide food and drink, including some local Swedish treats. In addition, a number of local dining establishments are located nearby in Lindsborg's downtown.

There will be other entertainment throughout the day, including a Swedish Costume fashion show, family games and a preview of Lindsborg's premiere outdoor theatre, Broadway RFD, who will be performing South Pacific this summer. Throughout the day, many Lindsborg residents will be dressed in traditional Swedish costumes, adding to the atmosphere of Midsummer's Day.

The Midsummer's Day celebration continues in the evening, moving from Swensson Park to the Old Mill Heritage Complex. There, visitors will experience the traditional raising of the maypole, followed by traditional Swedish dances. For those still left standing, the day will conclude with a midnight swim at the Lindsborg swimming pool.

Friday, Sunday & Monday Activities & Events

The activities around Midsummer's aren't limited to Saturday. On Friday evening, at the Old Mill Heritage Complex, there is an informal Dance Exchange amongst all the members of the dance groups performing during Midsummer's. Also on Friday evening, the Bloomington Minnesota Covenant Church Choir will be performing at the Lindsborg Covenant Church.

On Sunday, the traditional Vesper's Service at Bethany Lutheran Church will start at 4:30, followed by a potluck dinner, and ending with Swedish folk dancing.

And finally, on Monday, the 2006 Swedish Jenny Lind winner, soprano Malin Nilsson, will give a concert that evening at the Sandzen Gallery.

Midsummer Information

_ Festival contact:
MIDSUMMERS COMMITTEE, c/o Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce
104 E. Lincoln St.
Lindsborg, Kansas 67456.
Phone 785-227-3706, 1-888-227-2227. Fax (c/o City): 785-227-4128.
Website:

_ Midsummer Festival chairperson:
Margo Lysell

_ Mid-summer Festival PR chairperson:
Mike Rodriquez
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
785-227-2928

_Midsummer Sponsors:
Erik Peterson, DDS
Bethany Home

Special Guests
Mora Folkdanslag

During the later parts of the nineteenth century the interest for maintaining our cultural heritage in dancing and music was awakened. In order to keep in remembrance the traditions from the countryside, a work of inventory and documentation was started.

On initiative of the great painter Anders Zorn the "Mora Lekstuga" was started in 1904. The purpose of "Lekstugan" is to "promote a sound lifestyle and through sober and proper behavior be a good example for others; also to revive the clothing of our forefathers and with dancing and plays keep up our senses from the daily duties."

It was very important that the members were dressed in folklore dresses during meetings and practicing. If they did not they had to pay a small amount of money.

The "Lekstuga"-activities were held under protest from many people in Mora, they thought it was immoral. At last it was anyway accepted, much thanks to the influential Anders Zorn.

1927 the Mora Folkdanslag was founded and they had their activities at the adult education school of Skeriol.

Todays "Mora Folkdanslag" was founded in October 1961 and we are 10 - 12 couples practicing once a week. We meet once a week to practice, most old traditional dances. But we also meet with other groups to learn new variants. These dance-evenings are a nice form of social meeting and exercise.

Norwegian Society of Texas Leikarringen

The Norwegian Society of Texas is a statewide organization founded on March 25, 1975 with the objective "to enjoy, preserve and promote our Norwegian heritage". The Norwegian Society of Texas Leikarring, "play-ring" was founded as a state-wide folkdance group of N.S.T. Currently the N.S.T. Leikarring has dance groups in Amarillo, Dallas-Fort Worth and El Paso. We are one of the many groups of Norwegian folk dancers in the United State. Folk dancing is the easiest of all dancing and requires just the sense of rhythm and the willingness to learn. Basic steps used, you probably already know, for instance: the waltz, polka, schottische and just the walking step. We welcome anyone whether a couple or single and of any age to join the fun. Only requirement is that you join the Norwegian Society of Texas. We are always glad to perform our Scandinavian dances which use polka, waltz, schottische, and hambo steps, some of which are special to a specific region of Norway; others portray an occupation or tell a story. Names of some of the dances are Eikerril, Seksmannsril, Reinlender Med Turer, Giljerosen, Veva Vedmel, Snus Polka, Holt-Ril, Attetur Med Mylne, Jamstpolska, Sjynmyrvals, Stockholm Schottisch, and many more. The NST Barneringen (children's group) is an opportunity for the younger ones to participate. If interested in joining please contact state coordinator and director Eudoris Dahl.

http://www.norwegiansocietytexas.org/Leikarringen/Leikarringen.html

Schedule

Friday Events

On Friday evening, at the Old Mill Heritage Complex, there is an informal Dance Exchange amongst all the members of the dance groups performing during Midsummer's.

Saturday Events

On Saturday start at the park - which will have an air of summer celebration with music, arts, crafts, food concessions, attractive booths, storytellers and humor. Swedish costume is the dress of the day for many. At the park don't miss:

_ The main stage area: (dancing, etc)
_ Arts and crafts booths (fine art, folk art, crafts)
_ For the kids: Craft activities, Games and Face Painting
_ Food court in the park
_ Scandinavian Folk Dress style show, Bethany Church (adjacent to park) (11:00-2:30)

Also on Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m., there is a garden tour planned at several Lindsborg residential locations. The tour includes a Nibble Table at the Hemslojd, 201 N. Main Street. The garden tour is sponsored by the Bethany College Auxiliary's in support of their Bethany College scholarship fund. Tour tickets are $5 and more information is available at the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce or gusenius@cox.net. Tickets will be available the day of Midsummer's at the Chamber booth.

At 5 p.m. a festive Swedish Midsummers Smörgåsbord feast will be served in Bethany College's Pihlblad Memorial Union, sponsored by the Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers high school youth and families. Smörgåsbord advance tickets at $17.50 adult, children ages 4-12 $10 (under age 4 free), are recommended; order from the Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers, P.O. Box 242, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Starting at 6:30 PM, the gates will open at the Old Mill Heritage Park. There, visitors will experience the traditional raising of the maypole, followed by traditional Swedish dances. For those still left standing, the day will conclude with a midnight swim at the Lindsborg swimming pool.

Sunday Events

The June 19th Sunday events include a Swedish Vespers church service followed by a community potluck supper at Bethany Lutheran Church. This has been a traditional part of Lindsborg Midsummer's since the festival was revived in the community more than thirty years ago. The potluck supper is co-sponsored by American Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains and Bethany Church. The Vespers service is at 4:30 and the potluck starts at 5:30 PM. The evening will conclude with Swedish folk dancing.

Monday Events

On Monday, the 2006 Swedish Jenny Lind winner, soprano Malin Nilsson, will give a concert that evening at the Sandzen Gallery. The award is given in honor of the famous 19th century Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind, who was first brought to America's attention by none other than P.T. Barnum.

SCHEDULE as of 1 June 2006

FRIDAY EVENING, 16 JUNE 2006
7:00 Dance Exchange/workshop (participants 4 performing dance groups)

MIDSUMMER'S DAY, 17 JUNE 2006
Swensson Park, 400 BLK North Main
9:00 - Park opens GATE ADMISSION $3 ADULT $2 CHILDREN 12 & UNDER
9:30-10:05 Opening Procession
National Anthems
Mayoral Welcome - John Magnuson
10:10-10:40 Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers
10:45-11:15 NST Leikarring (Norwegian Folk dance group)
11:20-11:50 Mora Folkdanslag (Swedish Folk dance group from Mora Sweden)
11:55-12:25 Lindsborg Folkdanslag
12:30-12:50 Family Games (audience participation Swedish dance games)
12:55-1:25 Broadway RFD Preview- South Pacific- Director Lisa Christopher
1:30-2:00 Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers
2:05-2:35 Lindsborg Folkdanslag
2:40-3:10 Family Games
3:15-3:45 NST Leikarring
3:50-4:20 Mora Folkdanslag

OPTION TO MAIN STAGE
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 320 N. Main
11:00- 12:00 Scandinavian Folkdress style show

2:00- 3:00 Bloomington Covenant Church Adult Choir

EVENING EVENTS
OLD MILL HERITAGE COMPLEX, 120 Mill St. (South Park)
6:30 GATES OPEN GATE ADMISSION $3 ADULT $2 CHILDREN
7:00-10:00 Raising of the May Pole - Lindsborg Folkdanslag
Blowing of the Birch Horn - Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancer
Opening Procession
Dance Performances
Mora Folkdanslag
NST Leikarring
Lindsborg Folkdanslag
Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers
10:00-12:00 Midnight Swim - Lindsborg Swimming Pool - (South Park)

SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2006
4:30 Vespers Service, Bethany Lutheran Church
5:30 Potluck
6:30 Dance Performance
Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers
Mora Folkdanslag
NST Leikarring

MONDAY, 19 JUNE 2006

7:00? Jenny Lind concert, Sandzen Gallery

*New*

Arts / Crafts Exhibitors
* Alpha Group Log birdhouses & feeders, painted resin stepping stones & "sayings" blocks
* Ashcraft Creations Hand cut and polished free-formed jewelry artistry
* Barbware Creations Barbwire with floral arrangements, old barnwood frames with barbwire
* Blue Sterling Boatworks Wood and epoxy spa touring kayaks
* The Clock & Frame Village Rosemaling and woodcarving
* CR Crafts Wood rockers, gliders,inlaid card tables, painted saw blades. Decorated sunvisors and flip-flops
* Designs by Diane Original & traditional wheat weavings & wheat crafts
* Gayla's Country Loft Fabric lined baskets and hand knitted purses
* Andrew Janzen Instant photography. Landmark and tourist snapshots.
* jmw jewelry Sterling & gold jewelry, gemstones and pearls
* Kahler baskets and functional pots
* Irene's Teas & Stockholm Restaurant Tea and accessories
* Local Authors: Donna Opat, June Fuentes, Alice Nelson, Bev Barbo
* Delcie Malcom Handiwork-Crocheted Kitchen Towels, baby afghans, potholders, etc.
* Shirley Malm Swedish style folk art
* Lan Nelson Christmas Ornaments Tin Stars
* John Presley Carving demonstrations, only. NO SALES
* R & M Gems Lapidary; Indian (flint) pictures & crafts
* Schale Co Personalized wood and ceramic crafts and ceramic kitchenware
* Steve Sell Leathercraft and ink drawings
* Smoky Hill Bison Company buffalo jerky, toys information about the Smoky Hill Bison Co
* Wanda Stallings Original watercolors and "Washi" (collages of watercolor and handmade paper)
* Straw & Lace Suncatchers and wheat weaving
* Swensson Gallery & Studio Watercolor paintings and laser prints
* Tubbs clay instruments and whistles

*New*
Bethany College Auxiliary
2006 Garden Tour Press Release

How beautiful can the functional be? The 2006 Bethany Auxiliary Garden
Tour demonstrates that it can be very beautiful indeed. This year's Lindsborg
tour includes five stops, plus a "nibble table" at the Hemslojd, from 1
to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 17, Midsummer's Day. Tickets are available at
all the stops and the Chamber of Commerce Swensson Park booth.

The garden at the Rosberg House bed-and-breakfast, 103 E. State Street, serves
several functions. Besides beautiful for the inn's guests, there is
also an herb border, with a variety of mints, including chocolate and
orange mint, mixed in with flowering plants. The white garden area,
with white roses and white iron arch with seats, would make an ideal
spot for an intimate wedding. In fact, the garden, which surrounds the
swimming pool, offers several private niches for relaxing among the
pink, purple and white blooms, the theme that innkeeper Sabrina
Spellman uses throughout. And speaking of relaxing, the Spellmans now
offer a sod couch in front of their conference center facing Main
Street. The Spellmans had professional help from Gary Shogren and Diana Fanning.

On perhaps the other end of the spectrum, Kathleen Powers, 203 W.
Garfield, designed her front yard for her children to play in. The dogs
took over the fenced-in back area, so she worked with the front. "It
all started with the drainpipes," she said, which were extended away
from the house. So she cleverly used them as borders. She brought in
dirt for a small mound, and put in a dry creek bed of rock.
Another yard children would obviously love is at Tammy Oborg's house,
932 Pheasant Run. The house is surrounded by a large, wedge-shaped yard,
ideal for playing after supper. But Oborgs have taken the edges of the
yard and surrounded the house itself with a variety of plantings. Oborg
finds her garden ornaments at auctions and sales, including wheels and
wagons. The pond is tucked among the herbs and flowers surrounding the
house.

Jim and Margie Beck have are turning their entire yard on a corner lot at 202 S. 2nd
into a showcase of flower and vegetable garden. Tomatoes are planted
between the sidewalk and the street, as is an oriental-inspired area,
with a miniature cherry tree. There are two goldfish ponds, one in the
yard and one in the greenhouse. Yarn ornaments, including a collection
of birdhouses made by their grandchildren, are tucked in among the
plants throughout the backyard.

Like the Becks, Elly Ostlind, 301 S. Washington, has turned almost her entire backyard
into garden space. But the Becks have spent more than 10 years working
on theirs; while Ostlind is only in her third year. She has laid out her yard
in geometric shapes, with paths and planting areas mulched. "It's hard
to keep up with it on only three hours a day," she sighed. Rather, it's
amazing what you can accomplish on only three hours a day.
Tickets cost $5 and all proceeds from the garden tours will benefit the
Auxiliary's Bethany College scholarship fund.

More About Midsommardag
The story of Midsommardag
In Sweden, Midsommar celebrates the summer solstice-a magical time when daylight lasts nearly all night long-through a day of music and dancing.

At the center of the festivities in nearly every village is the majstång (or maypole) trimmed with garlands of flowers, often in the form of two circlets of flowers hung from its crossbar. In addition to decorating the pole, townspeople see to it that every house gets a row of twigs around the front door, and even boats and cars are festooned. Once the maypole is raised, usually in the center of a park, the music and dancing begin a celebration that lasts well into the bright night.
Midsommardag in Lindsborg
Midsommar is one of the most popular holidays in Sweden, heralding the coming of the summer solstice. It is a time of joyful celebration throughout Sweden. Since June 1971 Midsummers has been revived in Lindsborg to become a part of the community's annual calendar of Swedish-American festivals. Some aspects are uniquely Lindsborg's, such as arts and crafts displays and sales, and others are more traditional, such as the raising of the maypole. As in Sweden, Lindsborg welcomes arrival of the summer solstice with this community "Midsommarsdag" festival. Join us for the fun!

The Midsummer's weekend in Lindsborg takes place in several venues: Swensson Park, the downtown area, Pihlblad Memorial Union, the Old Mill Historical Complex and Bethany Lutheran Church. On Saturday start at the park - which will have an air of summer celebration with music, arts, crafts, food concessions, attractive booths, storytellers and humor. Swedish costume is the dress of the day for many! Refer to the schedule (elsewhere in this document) or the program (available the weekend of the event) for full details.
More to See and Do in Lindsborg

See the many uniquely painted Wild Dala sculptures around town. Many shops and galleries will have extended hours. You can experience Lindsborg often - by attending our community ethnic festivals and events, musical events of many types including the Easter-week Messiah Festival of Music and Art, the year-around visual arts exhibitions and gallery events, educational opportunities both short-term (camps, seminars, etc.) and long-term (at Bethany College and elsewhere in the community), sports and recreational offerings, religious activities, the various lodging and food experiences, shopping, museums, theatrical productions, and more!

Midsummer Information

_ Festival contact: MIDSUMMERS COMMITTEE, c/o Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce
104 E. Lincoln St.
Lindsborg, Kansas 67456.
Phone 785-227-3706, 1-888-227-2227. Fax (c/o City): 785-227-4128.
Website: .
_ Midsummer Festival chairperson: Margo Lysell
_ Mid-summer Festival PR chair: Mike Rodriquez
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
785-227-2928
_Midsummer Sponsors:
Erik Peterson, DDS
Bethany Home
-END-

Posted by mike at 12:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 1, 2006

Lindsborg Celebrates Midsummer's Day: 17 June 2006

Here's the press release I'm sending out regarding this year's Midsummer's Day Festival in Lindsborg.

Thanks to a list provided by Ron Stamm, in addition to the normal local/regional outlets, I'm also sending this release to a number of media outlets in communities outside of Kansas that have a recognized Swedish Heritage; thanks Ron!

Press Release

Available in doc (Word), PDF and .txt formats. Please feel free to share this info with other interested parties. The address for this page is: http://www.littleswedenusa.com/archives/2006/05/lindsborg_celeb.html

CONTACT:
Mike Rodriquez
(785) 227-2928
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
http://www.lindsborg.org/midsummers.html

May 1st, 2006 For Immediate Release
"Midsummer Festival to be held on Saturday, June 17th."

LINDSBORG, KS - Midsummer's Day, a traditional Swedish festival celebrated worldwide, returns to Lindsborg: Little Sweden USA, the weekend of June 17th 2006. This festival, held to celebrate the beginning of summer, is one of the most popular of all Swedish celebrations. Lindsborg is proud to host this fun-filled family oriented Swedish-American festival, this year featuring special guest performers from Sweden. Now in its 35th year, Lindsborg's 2006 Midsummer's Day promises to be a fun-filled day for everyone in the family, so be sure to join us in Lindsborg's Swensson Park on Saturday, June 17th!

Celebrate Lindsborg's "Midsummer's Day Festival"
Midsommardag '06

Midsummer's Activities & Events Details

Friday, Sunday & Monday Activities & Events

On Sunday, the traditional Vesper's Service at Bethany Lutheran Church will start at 4:30, followed by a potluck dinner, and ending with Swedish folk dancing.

And finally, on Monday, the 2006 Swedish Jenny Lind winner, soprano Malin Nilsson, will give a concert that evening at the Sandzen Gallery.

Midsummer Information

* Festival contact:
MIDSUMMERS COMMITTEE, c/o Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce
104 E. Lincoln St.
Lindsborg, Kansas 67456.
Phone 785-227-3706, 1-888-227-2227. Fax (c/o City): 785-227-4128.
Website:

* Midsummer Festival chairperson:
Margo Lysell

* Mid-summer Festival PR chairperson:
Mike Rodriquez
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
785-227-2928

* Midsummer Sponsors:
Erik Peterson, DDS
Bethany Home

Special Guests
Mora Folkdanslag

During the later parts of the nineteenth century the interest for maintaining our cultural heritage in dancing and music was awakened. In order to keep in rememberance the traditions from the countryside, a work of inventory and documentation was started.

It was very important that the members were dressed in folklore dresses during meetings and practicing. If they did not they had to pay a small amount of money.

Norwegian Society of Texas Leikarringen

http://www.norwegiansocietytexas.org/Leikarringen/Leikarringen.html

Schedule

Friday Events

On Friday evening, at the Old Mill Heritage Complex, there is an informal Dance Exchange amongst all the members of the dance groups performing during Midsummer's. Also on Friday evening, the Bloomington Minnesota Covenant Church Choir will be performing at the Lindsborg Covenant Church.

Saturday Events

* The main stage area: (dancing, etc)
* Arts and crafts booths (fine art, folkart, crafts)
* For the kids: Craft activities, Games and Face Painting
* Food court in the park
* Scandinavian Folk Dress style show, Bethany Church (adjacent to park) (11:00-2:30)

Also on Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m., there is a garden tour planned at several Lindsborg residential locations. The tour includes a "nibble table" in the studio courtyard at the Sandzen Home, 421 N. First. The garden tour is sponsored by the Bethany College Auxiliary to raise funds for printing the new "Measure for Pleasure" cookbook. Sales from the cookbook provide Bethany College student scholarships. Tour tickets are $5 and more information is available at the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce or gusenius@cox.net.

Sunday Events

Monday Events

On Monday, the 2006 Swedish Jenny Lind winner, soprano Malin Nilsson, will give a concert that evening at the Sandzen Gallery.

SCHEDULE as of 25 April 2006

FRIDAY EVENING, 16 JUNE 2006
7:00 Dance Exchange/workshop (participants 4 performing dance groups)
7:00? Bloomington Choir, Covenant Church

OPTION TO MAIN STAGE
BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 320 N. Main
11:00- 12:00 Scandinavian Folkdress style show

2:00- 3:00 Bloomington Covenant Church Adult Choir

SUNDAY, 18 JUNE 2006
4:30 Vespers Service, Bethany Lutheran Church
5:30 Potluck
6:30 Dance Performance
Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers
Mora Folkdanslag
NST Leikarring

MONDAY, 19 JUNE 2006

7:00? Jenny Lind concert, Sandzen Gallery

More About Midsommardag
The story of Midsommardag
In Sweden, Midsommar celebrates the summer solstice-a magical time when daylight lasts nearly all night long-through a day of music and dancing.

Midsommar is one of the most popular holidays in Sweden, heralding the coming of the summer solstice. It is a time of joyful celebration throughout Sweden. Since June 1971 Midsummers has been revived in Lindsborg to become a part of the community's annual calendar of Swedish-American festivals. Some aspects are uniquely Lindsborg's, such as arts and crafts displays and sales, and others are more traditional, such as the raising of the maypole. As in Sweden, Lindsborg welcomes arrival of the summer solstice with this community "Midsommarsdag" festival. Join us for the fun!

The Midsummer's weekend in Lindsborg takes place in several venues: Swensson Park, the downtown area, Pihlblad Memorial Union, the Old Mill Historical Complex and Bethany Lutheran Church. On Saturday start at the park - which will have an air of summer celebration with music, arts, crafts, food concessions, attractive booths, storytellers and humor. Swedish costume is the dress of the day for many! Refer to the schedule (elsewhere in this document) or the program (available the weekend of the event) for full details.
More to See and Do in Lindsborg

Midsummer Information
* Festival contact: MIDSUMMERS COMMITTEE, c/o Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce
104 E. Lincoln St.
Lindsborg, Kansas 67456.
Phone 785-227-3706, 1-888-227-2227. Fax (c/o City): 785-227-4128.
Website: .
* Midsummer Festival chairperson: Margo Lysell
* Mid-summer Festival PR chair: Mike Rodriquez
msd06@littleswedenusa.com
785-227-2928
* Midsummer Sponsors:
Erik Peterson, DDS
Bethany Home
-END-

Posted by mike at 5:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 13, 2005

Midsummer's Day Festival: This Weekend!

Lindsborg's Midsummer's Day Festival, a traditional Swedish festival celebrated worldwide, returns to Lindsborg: Little Sweden USA, the weekend of June 18th. This festival, held to celebrate the beginning of summer, is one of the most popular of all Swedish celebrations, and Lindsborg is proud to host this fun-filled family oriented Swedish-American festival. Now in its 34th year, Lindsborg’s 2005 Midsummer’s Day promises to be a fun-filled day for everyone in the family!

More information about Midsummer's is available at the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce site, including the schedule of events and the list of arts and crafts vendors.

Posted by mike at 7:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 22, 2005

Midsummer's Ad

Here's a shot of the ad that we're running to promote the Midsummer's Day Festival in Lindsborg. Doing publicity for an event like this is quite interesting. Besides writing and distributing press releases, I've had the opportunity to speak on the radio, and have learned about such things as column inches as they relate to print ads. You can click on the image to view a high-quality PDF version.

A special thanks to Kathy and Kelly at the Lindsborg News-Record for their help in putting this ad together.

Posted by mike at 12:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 21, 2005

Midsummer's Festival on Saturday, June 18th

This is the press release that was released to local and regional media. Feel free to spread the word!

LINDSBORG, KS - Midsummer's Day, a traditional Swedish festival celebrated worldwide, returns to Lindsborg: Little Sweden USA, the weekend of June 18th. This festival, held to celebrate the beginning of summer, is one of the most popular of all Swedish celebrations, and Lindsborg is proud to host this fun-filled family oriented Swedish-American festival. Now in its 34th year, Lindsborg's 2005 Midsummer's Day promises to be a fun-filled day for everyone in the family!

On Saturday numerous local Midsummer activities will be held throughout the Lindsborg village - in Swensson Park during the day, in the Bethany College student union for a smörgåsbord, and at the Old Mill Heritage Square historical complex for evening Swedish folkdancing and maypole (majstång) raising.

The Saturday festival events will begin with traditional Midsummers activities and events in Swensson Park on North Main Street, with gates open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The park performers will include the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers high school organization, the Folkdanslag adult dancers, as well as Lindsborg area musicians and entertainers. Artists and craftsmen will have display booths. Park booths will include fine art, folk art, crafts, and historical displays. Blomkrans (Swedish flower crowns) may be created at an area set aside for children and adults. Children may participate in craft activities, and games; also included is an appearance by Pippi Longstocking.

A food court with Swedish and other food will be available in the park throughout the day and a number of local dining establishments are located nearby in Lindsborg's downtown.

Also on Saturday, from 1 to 5pm, there is a home garden tour of several fine homes in Lindsborg. The tour includes a "nibble table" at the Red Barn Studio. Sponsored by the Bethany College Auxiliary to raise funds in order to reprint the popular "Measure for Pleasure" cookbook, tickets are $5 and more information may be from the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce or by writing gusenius@cox.net.

The Saturday evening activities will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Old Mill historical complex with welcoming music performed by folk musician Kelly Werts. At 7:30 p.m. there will be the raising of the maypole, fiddler and other music, folk-dancing, and audience participation.

Admission for the days events (not including the Smörgåsbord) is $3 adult, $2 children ages 4 to 12, and youth under age 4 will be admitted free. The first 200 paid attendees dressed in a Swedish costume will receive a small Swedish-American pin. This price includes the evening's entertainment; tickets for the evening only are $2 adult and $1 for children 4 to 12.

Sunday Events

Midsummer Information

Midsummer information including brochures are available at the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce, 104 East Lincoln Street, Lindsborg, KS 67456, phone 785-227-4120, or 785-227-3706, or toll-free 1-888-227-2227.

Festival news and announcements, photos, and information will be posted on the community Internet website which is maintained by the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce at www.lindsborg.org.
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The story of Midsommardag

In Sweden, Midsommar celebrates the summer solstice-a magical time when daylight lasts nearly all night long-through a day of music and dancing.

Midsommardag in Lindsborg

Midsummer's Day is the favorite holiday of Swedes in Sweden. Lindsborg, as part of Swedish-America, has a comparable annual celebration on the third Saturday of June, and associated days. Lindsborg has added numerous arts and other attractions that reflect its distinctive heritage. As in Sweden, Lindsborg welcomes arrival of the summer solstice with this community "Midsommarsdag" festival. Join us for the fun!

The Midsummer's weekend in Lindsborg takes place in several venues: Swensson Park, the downtown area, Pihlblad Memorial Union, the Old Mill Historical Complex and Bethany Lutheran Church. On Saturday start at the park - which will have an air of summer celebration with music, arts, crafts, food concessions, attractive booths, storytellers and humor. Swedish costume is the dress of the day for many. At the park don't miss:

The main stage area (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Arts and crafts booths (fine art, folkart, crafts)
For the kids: Craft activities, Games and meet Pippi Longstocking
Food court in the park.

Don't miss the 5 p.m. Swedish Smörgåsbord at Pihlblad Memorial Union at Bethany College. Smörgåsbord tickets may be available at Swedish Dancers booth, or get in advance (adults $17.50, children 4-12 $10 by writing: Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers, P.O. Box 242, Lindsborg, KS 67456.

Also on Saturday, from 1 to 5pm, there is a home garden tour of fine homes in Lindsborg. Tickets are $5 and more information will be available from the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce.

Finally, if you're not completely exhausted by the events of the day, you're invited to a Midnight Swim at the nearby Lindsborg Municipal Swimming Pool, 10 to 12 midnight.

On Sunday, there is a Swedish Vespers church service followed by a potluck dinner at the Bethany Lutheran Church; details below.

Featured Entertainment

Lindsborg dance groups carry on many Swedish traditions. Dancers of two groups, the Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers (high school) and the Folkdanslag (adults), perform traditional dances to authentic melodies. They wear colorful costumes, many of which are either heirlooms or have been carefully researched to reflect the styles of Swedish ancestors. Other Lindsborg area individuals and groups also will be performing at the Swensson Park grassy stage area, and elsewhere during the festival. In addition, folksinger and accomplished guitar and fiddle player Kelly Werts will perform 2 times during the day Saturday, and once at the evenings festivities.

Saturday Events

SATURDAY ADMISSION: Adults - $3.00, Children age 4 to 12 - $2.00, Under age 4 - Free.

Swensson Park Program: Main Street between Olsson & Swensson, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities & Entertainment, all day. Performances by local and guest groups and individuals. Artists & craftsmen booths. Folk music. Folkdancing. Swedish and other food. Blomkrans (flower crowns). Children's crafts. Pippi Longstocking

Swedish Smörgåsbord: Pihlblad Memorial Union, Bethany College, 5:00 p.m. The smörgåsbord tickets may be purchased at the Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers' booth, or get tickets in advance (adults $17.50, children 4-12 $10, age 4 & under free by writing: Lindsborg Swedish Folkdancers, P.O. Box 242, Lindsborg, KS 67456.)

Old Mill Historical Complex: Activities at 7:30 p.m. in front of the Swedish Pavilion include: Raising of the majstång (Maypole). Swedish folk music and dancing, with public participation Midnight swim at the nearby Lindsborg Municipal Swimming Pool, 10 to 12 midnight.

Garden Tour: Saturday, from 1 to 5pm, there is a home garden tour of fine homes in Lindsborg. Tickets are $5 and more information will be available from the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday Events

Swedish Vespers Service: Bethany Lutheran Church will conduct a public Swedish Vespers Service at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 19th. The service will be in Swedish, with complete English translations provided. This has been a part of Midsummer Festival in Lindsborg since its revival in the early 1970's.

Potluck Supper: Following Vespers, the Bethany Church and the American-Scandinavian Association of the Great Plains will hold a potluck supper. The public is invited. Each family/group is asked to bring one meat dish, a second dish, and their own table service.

More to See and Do in Lindsborg

See the many uniquely painted Wild Dala sculptures around town. Many shops and galleries will have extended hours. You can experience Lindsborg often - by attending our community ethnic festivals and events, musical events of many types including the Easter-week Messiah Festival of music and art, the year-around visual arts exhibitions and gallery events, educational opportunities both short-term (camps, seminars, etc.) and long-term (at Bethany College and elsewhere in the community), sports and recreational offerings, religious activities, the various lodging and food experiences, shopping, museums, theatrical productions, and more!

Midsommardag
104 E. Lincoln St.
Lindsborg, KS 67456
Website: www.lindsborg.org.
Ph. 785-227-3706, or 1-888-227-2227.

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April 20, 2005

Millfest: 7 May 2005

The McPherson County Old Mill Museum, located in south Lindsborg near the Smoky Hill River, is hosting the annual Millfest celebration on Saturday, May 7th. Millfest is a family event celebrating the history of the mill and the pioneer heritage of the region; more information is available at the Mill's web site.

The highlight of the day for many people is seeing the old roller mill in operation. Though no grain is ground, the belts, wheels and pulleys that power the 100 year old mill can be seen operating during the periodic tours of the mill that are given throughout the day.

Additionally, there is a small arts and crafts fair that includes demonstrations of once vital skills necessary for prairie farm life. A hearty lunch and good music round out the day.

Finally, there is the 4th annual Millfest Bakeoff! Contestants also provide an entry for the bake sale, which raises funds to support the museum. More information and a bakeoff signup form are available here.

While doing research for this article I came across a great website that features old mills, many similar to the local mill. The mills are from all around the country, including 7 others in Kansas. And, one of those 7 is the mill that is locally referred to as the old mill, the Smoky Valley Roller Mill.

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April 18, 2005

The Story of Midsommardag

In Sweden, Midsommar celebrates the summer solstice — a magical time when daylight lasts nearly all night long — through a day of music and dancing. At the center of the festivities in nearly every village is the majstång (or maypole) trimmed with garlands of flowers, often in the form of two circlets of flowers hung from its crossbar. In addition to decorating the pole, townspeople see to it that every house gets a row of twigs around the front door, and even boats and cars are festooned. Once the maypole is raised, usually in the center of a park, the music and dancing begin a celebration that lasts well into the bright night.

In two months, on June 18th, Lindsborg will celebrate Midsummer's Day; watch this space for details over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, an overview of Lindsborg's Midsummer's celebration, including an order form for the traditional Swedish smorgasboard meal, is available.

Swedish maypole

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April 15, 2005

Bike Across Kansas Riders to Stay in Lindsborg

Lindsborg will be hosting 800 visitors on Tuesday, June 7th of this year. Our guests will be the riders and support staff of an annual long-distance bike ride known as the Bike Across Kansas ride. They will be marking the half-way point of their 8 day, 530 mile long journey across the state when they stop to catch their breathe and spend the night in Lindsborg.

It should come as no surprise that a large number of local volunteers come together to support such a large influx of visitors. Local folks who are interested in more information should attend an informational meeting on Saturday, the 30th of April, downtown at the Cookery, starting at 10am. As I understand it, there will be a short "question & answer" session with the Food Coordinator, Sherry McKee, and possibly Charlie Summers and Denise Duerksen, the Executive Directors of Biking Across Kansas.

In addition, as of the 15th of April, BAK is still looking for food providers. If you know of a group that would like to provide food for BAK, please contact meals@bak.org or director@bak.org or call 316-283-7528.

Bike Across Kansas 2005 Route Map

bike across kansas map

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April 14, 2005

Smoky Valley Artists' Studio Open House

Local artists and craftspeople will open their Lindsborg studios to visitors on Saturday, April 23rd, from 11:00 am to 5:00pm.

On display will be examples of painting, printmaking, ceramics, metal work, weaving, woodcarving and design, jewelry, handcrafted canoes, photography, Swedish folk design and more.

A complete list of studios and galleries that are participating is available in the extended entry area (click on "Continue reading ..." below).

9th ANNUAL SMOKY VALLEY ARTISTS’ STUDIO OPEN HOUSE
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2005
11:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.

RAY KAHMEYER STONEWARE POTTERY STUDIO at 429 S Chestnut. Open 1-6pm today.

NORMAN MALM, woodcarving at ANTON PEARSON’S STUDIO at 505 S. Main. Open 12-5pm today.

SALLY JOHNSON painting AND JIM JOHNSON Swedish Christmas Trees at 134 S Third.

BRIAN HOLDSWORTH ARTIST BLACKSMITH STUDIO, 426 S. Main.

SMALL WORLD GALLERY, 127 N. Main: JIM RICHARDSON, photography,
KATHY RICHARDSON, jewelry design

BETH WALKER, Hand-woven Clothing and Accessories at ELIZABETH’S 110 N. Main.

RON MICHAEL, ceramics, at 715 N First.

LEE BECKER, painting, prints, at 731 N Main.

JULIE UNRUH, tiles, jewelry, painted furniture art
at 127 S. Washington (in the back).

BRICK STREET GALLERY, 129 N. Main:
JIM TURNER , photography.

LESTER RAYMER’S RED BARN STUDIO, 212 S.
Main: Viola Lehman, watercolor; Janet Dove, quilting;
Mark Kozubowski, walking sticks.

STEVE SPENCER, canoes and SANDY SPENCER,
photography at QUIET CANOES, 202 S Third.

At Marquette, Kansas:

ARTSPACE, 115 N. Washington, Marquette:
RICH THBODEAU, painting; MRI PILAR, assemblages;
NICHOLE THIBODEAU, painting.

Featured artists’ studios will be marked by balloons
and an Open House sign.

This year’s event will feature a drawing with prizes.
Sign up at featured artists’ studios.

GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, RETAIL AND PUBLIC ART OPEN TODAY

COURTYARD GALLERY at 125 N. Main. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today. Represents over 100 artists including Lindsborg area artists, John Presley; John Bergers; Helen Weaver; Maleta Forsberg; Betty Jo Houchen; Bob Lindholm; Susan Whitfield Lundgren; and Mindy and Greg Rhoades.

BOUQUET SHOPPE at 103 N. Main. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artists include: Ann Eitel and Marcella Oakes.

SWEDISH CRAFTS 135 N Main. Open 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Represents many artist’s including original work by Lindsborg artists Kathy Peterson; Jim Johnson; Sally Johnson; Suzie Swanson; Helen Koons Gragert and Rita Sharpe. They carry books by the Lindsborg “writers group” and five other Lindsborg authors.

ELIZABETH’S at 110 N. Main. Open 10-5 p.m. Hand-woven clothing by Elizabeth Walker. Weaving demonstrations today.

BIRGER SANDZEN MEMORIAL GALLERY at 401 N. First Street. 1-5 p.m. 106th Midwest Art Exhibition
Light, Contrast Design and Movement, watercolor paintings by Mary Lou Sunderland of Hutchinson. Bronze and Clay, bronze and clay sculpture by Nancy Kemper Tapp of Wichita. The Prairie: Land and Community, panoramic photographs by George Jerkovich of Salina. Vessels from the Osage Orange Ceramic Series, sculptural clay vessels by Ron Michael of Lindsborg. Aquatint Prints by Charles Capps, aquatint prints by a founding members of the Prairie Print Makers. Etchings by John Taylor Arms, detailed etchings collected by Birger Sandzen and C. Pelham Greenough, 3rd by John Taylor Arms. Old Master Prints Collected by C. Pelham Greenough, 3rd from the Collections of the Sandzen Gallery.

SANDZEN STUDIO at 421 N. First beside the Sandzen home. Tours from 2 to 3:30 p.m

LESTER RAYMER’S RED BARN STUDIO at 212 S. Main. Open today 11am- 5 p.m. (No admission today). Museum Store includes work of Julie Unruh, Ray Kahmeyer, Janie Tubbs, Dan Gottneid, Nanetta Bananto.

SMALL WORLD GALLERY, 127 N. Main Street. Featuring photographs and cards by National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson; oils by Don Weddle; oils and linoleum cut prints by Lee Becker; works in stoneware clay by Ron Michael; display quilting by Janet Dove; jewelry by Kathy Richardson , gouache painting by Phyllis Newson, Jennifer Mauser, Sharon Coffman and others; and new hand made handbags by Susan Alexander and others. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BRUNSWICK PLAZA, 202 S. Main. Featuring Eric Monder, artist, filmmaker; Kathi Patterson, filmmaker, photographer.

ARTSPACE, 115 N. Washington, Marquette, KS. Artists include: Rich Thibodeau, painting; Mri Pilar, assemblages; Nichole Thibodeau, painting.

THE WESTSIDE GALLERY, 131 North Main. Includes Ernie Allen, ceramics, Eldon Swensson, watercolor, Gene Holdsworth, chip carving and Jennifer Hopp, painted glass.

BRICK STREET GALLERY, 129 N. Main: Jim Turner, photography; Caroline Kahler, ceramics.

MINGENBACK ART CENTER, BETHANY COLLEGE, corner of Second and Olsson.

BUTCHER, BAKER, and CANDLESTICK MAKER, 130 N. Main, Marjie Anderson, handmade candles; Scott Anderson, ceramics; Sandy Spence, photography and cards; Donna Sandberg, quilts and weavings.

LINDSBORG STATE BANK, 201 S. Main, Dorman Lehman, photography

ADITIONAL COPIES AVAILABLE AT PARTICIPATING STUDIOS AND GALLERIES

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Little Sweden USA

A blog about Lindsborg