Junction City, OR Scandinavian Festival 2013

Last year around festival time, I had the flu.  It was bad.  I was basically bedridden.  I remember my boyfriend had texted me, asking if I wanted to go with him and a group of friends to the Scandinavian Festival, and I laughed humorlessly and threw the phone across the room.

...Yeah.  Anyway.

THIS YEAR, I had the honor and privilege of attending the 53rd Annual Scandinavian Festival, held in Junction City, Oregon, which is about twenty minutes away from where I live, so not too far.  This wasn’t my first time at the festival; I had gone three years before with my family.  But we had only come for one of the four days and only for a few hours, so I don’t remember much about it.

This festival is a big deal.  Everyone involved is really into it, and people come from all over the world to participate.  One of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much this year was because my best friend and writing partner, Katie, performed Scandinavian dancing and during her breaks was able to walk around with me and show me the sights.

Oh, but where do I begin?  With the smell of aebleskivers, I suppose, since it was one of the first things I noticed.  Ha ha.  Everything I ate at festival was great.  The aebleskivers, the sausage and mushroom pies, the Swedish meatball pockets, the elephant ears…I’m getting hungry just sitting here thinking about them!

 

The booths and other shopping venues were also fantastic.  I spent a lot of money, I’ll admit.  If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone who is planning on attending next year…don’t come with an empty pocketbook!  I bought a t-shirt, jewelry, (food), books, and more.  The festival spans a few blocks of Junction City, and most of the stores remain open during the four days, so I had the opportunity to check out those as well.  My favorite had to be Max Porter’s, a coffeehouse.  The Hazelnut Mocha is a-mazing!

 

I have to mention that the weather was exceptional, too.  If it was any warmer or humid, I don’t think that my experience would have been as enjoyable!

 

My bestie did an amazing job with her dancing group.  I wish I would have taken more good pictures and videos, but alas.  There is always next year.

 

 

 

Speaking of next year, I have to confess that I am indeed inspired.  I am *this close* to joining a local dance group so I can dress up and perform next year.  I do have quite a bit of Norwegian in me, so I am relevant! 

 

At the very least, attending the festival has inspired me to resume work on Fleur Valse…

…Well.  We’ll just have to see where the wind takes me, I suppose. :-)

 

‘Til the next post!