24 June 2013

Celebrating Midsummer (AKA Another Reason I LOVE Astoria)

What's a girl to do when she is hungry for some Nordic pastries?
Well, if it's the weekend closest to the summer solstice,
she heads to Astoria of course:)
 
And this time she headed there with her blue-eyed Farmer Boy
and her green eyed, blonde flower loving youngest granddaughter!
 
 
After a wrong turn,
a bit of a walk
and a trip over a pedestrian bridge suitably decorated for a Scandinavian festival,
we arrived in time for a quick peek at the flag raising taking place outdoors.
 
 
LOVE the traditional costumes...
 
 
Inside it is a Nordic-lover's shopping paradise,
but with a wee one in tow I never ventured there...
my Farmer Boy could save a LOT of money if we always had a wee one along:)
 
 
No matter---I have many Scandinavian hand crafted items already,
AND I did take time to grab the ESSENTIAL Norwegian krumkake and a Finnish pinwheel (tart).
YUM!!
Sadly the line for aebleskiver was too long and so I just may have to make
myself some later this week
(they're actually quite easy to make).
 
 
The festival is held in a pretty setting at the county fairgrounds.
This is in the Midsummer Pole area --
for those that may not know,
that is a large pole with a cross piece that has been decorated with flowers and greenery.
Oh--and topped with a tiny rooster:)
It is quite fun to watch them raising the pole and all the dancing that follows it!
 
 
Sorry we missed that this year...
it would have been fun to see our little one dance around it,
but after a little coaxing from me,
she did do some dancing to the awesome live music of
                                                    Harold Haugaard and Helene Blum,
as did other children there!
If you'd like to hear some of what we heard follow this link to the Festival website...
 
After the pastries and some music it was on to the Barnefest...
where our wee one played a lot of games...

 
 
and won some Viking treasure:)
 
 
And then it was time for some fun in the sun at the beach...
but since this is already SO long,
that will have to wait till another time.
Wishing you a Monday filled with many blessings,
Aimee
 
Information:
You will find a link above should you want more information on this wonderful celebration
of Astoria's Scandinavian heritage.
 
 
 
 

16 comments:

Betsy said...

This looks like such a good time. I didn't know that this was an event every year in Astoria. We usually get over there in September though and not in the springtime. However, now that little Piper has arrived we don't get past Portland! :-)
Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the fun day with your granddaughter.
Blessings,
Betsy

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hi Aimee, :)

aimee said...

@Betsy~
Yes, it is one of the annual Scandinavian festivals held in the PNW...there is also a midsummer fest in Portland at Oaks Park.
Have a great time with little one:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Sam~
Thanks for stopping by to say hi! I was just thinking about you today:)
Blessings,
Aimee

Teresa Kasner said...

Oh my.. I dearly want to go to a Nordic festival! I am lusting after one of those painted wooden candle holders with electric candles.. I've seen Alicia Paulson use them during the holidays. Let's both hope for some sun soon! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
PS - Can you let me know when the next Nordic Fest will be?

aimee said...

@Teresa~
Well I can't have a bloggie friend lusting after those wonderful electric candelabras that I love too! LOL:)
I bought all of mine at Scandia Imports in Beaverton. I don't think they are all made in Sweden anymore, but they look the same as the ones which were. Here is their website:
http://scandiaimports.com/

If you are on the northern Oregon coast visiting, Finn Ware in Astoria, has them too. Their website is: http://finnware.com/

You can probably order them online too if it is easier...I just like to immerse myself in a bit of Scandinavia every once in awhile:)

The next Scandinavian festival (Oregon) I know about is in Junction City in August. Their website is here: http://scandinavianfestival.com/ Lots of crafts, dancing, music, craft demos, Nordic food, etc.

Of course there are Scandinavian festivals in Washington state too. The next one there, that I know about, is coming up in Kenmore. Here is a link: http://www.skandia-folkdance.org/midsommarfest.html
I haven't been to this one before, but it looks like fun.

Yes to the sun...I hear we can expect another visit starting Thursday!

Blessings,
Aimee

moonstruckcreations said...

The festival looks absolutely amazing, I love all things Scandanavian!

Helenxx

Anonymous said...

Hmmm and I thought the only Scandi festival here in Oregon was in Junction City. I didnt know there is another. Is this the you learn something new every day? guess so. Have a fun week. ;)

erika

aimee said...

@Helen~
Me too:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Erika~
I think the one in Junction City is the largest one in Oregon.

I can't remember which one I went to first--I've been going to Scandinavian Festivals for so long:) There are other Scandinavian Festivals/Events in Oregon (Washington too)throughout the year...at Norse Hall in Portland, Scan Fair in Portland, etc.

Wishing you a fun (and hopefully sunnier) week also:)

Blessings,
Aimee

aimee said...

@erika~
I keep adding to my list as I find more...if you run across one could you let me know? Thanks:) Aimee

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

The festival looks like fun- I'm glad you had a wonderful time!

aimee said...

@Terri~
Most assuredly! Thanks:)
Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Blessings,
Aimee

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

Wow, I didn't know Astoria had a Nordic festival. My mother is Norwegian and she loves to do this kind of stuff. I will let her know about it. Thanks for posting!

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Sounds like a wonderful festival. It is always so fun to explore different heritages, especially for Americans because we likely have some of every kind of blood in us, LOL. I know I've got Norwegian in me from my father's side of the family. Have a wonderful day!

aimee said...

@Stacie~
There are a lot of Scandinavian festivals/events in the PNW. The next festival is in Junction City, Oregon. The folk music, dancing, crafts and food is always good:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Jackie~
I liked it-but my DH prefers another one we've been to. I love learning more about different heritages too:)
You should celebrate Syttende Mai--I went to the Norse Hall celebration in Portland last year and loved it (especially the Fjord horses)!
Blessings,
Aimee
PS: Norway has some online genealogy archives too that I have used:)

Gracie Saylor said...

So much fun learning about the PNW from you, Aimee! I'm glad you had Grand time with your little miss. As much as I am enjoying my time here in CA I will be so glad to be surrounded by my little grand girls next week!
xx,
Gracie

aimee said...

@Gracie~
Glad you enjoyed my cyber day trip! Yep, Farmer Boy and I are totally in love with our little miss...as I know you are with your grand-blessings too:)
Have a beautiful, peaceful and very safe drive home my bloggie friend...God is sending some sunny weather this way:)
Blessings,
Aimee

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