Little Sweden USA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.