Here’s your chance to visit the Danish Villages of Elk Horn & Kimballton, Iowa, made famous from ‘Denmark on the Prairie’ documentaries

VOYAGE THROUGH THE VILLAGES

In 2013, two Danish filmmakers Anders Birch and Jakob Vølver arrived in the Danish Village of Elk Horn, Iowa to find out what all of the Danishness was all about. After 150 hours of filming, they painstaking put together a one-hour documentary called “Denmark on the Prairie.”

On Wednesday, August 28, 2013, Anders Birch and Jakob Vølver’s documentary Danmark på prærien aired on Denmark’s DR1 station to great success. The first documentary was so popular, that on Monday, March 17^th, 2014, the second installment of the documentary was shown in Denmark. Called “Denmark on the Prairie – Back to Elk Horn”, the latest broadcast highlighted the authentic Danish Windmill and the little Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton.

If you’ve not seen the two documentaries presented by DR-TV yet, they are highly recommended. You can view both at: http://www.dr.dk/tv/se/danmark-pa-praerien/danmark-pa-praerien-tilbage-til-elk-horn#!/

How can you experience Elk Horn and Kimballton for yourself? Mark your calendars for “Tivoli Fest 2014” on May 24 and 25 and “Julefest 2014” on November 28 and 29 – or any time you are venturing along I-80 in southwestern Iowa.

TIVOLI FEST 2014, MAY 24TH & 25TH
: DENMARK ON THE PRAIRIE …”LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN”

Denmark on the Prairie …“Let the Festivities Begin” is the 2014 Tivoli theme for the 34th Annual Danish celebration this May 24th and 25th in Elk Horn, Iowa.
The Tivoli logo was designed and donated by EH-K alumni, Jordan Hansen, owner of Antler Creative. Jordan does freelance web and logo designs and works for the local Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company.

Tivoli Fest, Elk Horn’s annual festival celebrating their Danish heritage, is a fun and exciting time for Danes as well as visitors from around Iowa and the nation. This 34th annual fest is packed with an assortment of activities sure to please visitors of all ages.

The Danish Windmill in Elk Horn, Iowa (Photo by Linda Steffensen, The Danish Pioneer Newspaper’s Editor)

To kick off the weekend, there will be a flag raising ceremony on Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. on the Windmill grounds. Both the American and Danish flags will be presented and the national anthems played. At the conclusion of the flag rising be sure to join participants on the 3-mile Mill to Mermaid Fun Run beginning at 8:15 am at the Windmill and ending at the Little Mermaid fountain in Kimballton. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each age group. The annual Tivoli Parade is held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. The parade features floats, marching bands, clowns, antique cars and trucks and a few surprises! Sunday is the Tour de Tivoli Bike Ride, the Antique Tractor Ride and the Walk For the Fallen.

The Windmill Entertainment Stage is a hub of free entertainment throughout the weekend. Scandinavian Folk Dancing groups from Kimballton and Omaha, including two children’s groups, will perform traditional Danish and Scandinavian dance. Ron Johnson from North Liberty, Iowa will return with his Baldoni electronic accordion. Visitors might catch him strolling through town playing his Danish music. Dwight Red Lamb will be featured on Saturday and Sunday with his Danish Button Box accordion. This year joining Dwight is Bill Peterson.

Tivoli Fest is certainly a family event so organizers have included fun activities for the kids. Stop by the lot just west of the Danish Mill for the Bounce Rides. Another activity for the “little Danes” is children activities at the library plus a Lego contest.

The Museum of Danish America (The Danish Immigrant Museum) will be hosting their featured exhibit “Schleswig-Holstein: Turmoil on the Danish-German Border” explores a single region whose history has affected events and individuals around the world. After touring the Museum, take the walking path to Bedstemor’s House, Danish for “Grandmother’s House”. This house has been lovingly restored to reflect life during the period of 1910-1920 where visitors will enjoy a step into the past.

Check out the Viking Market and Camp at the VikingHjem and see how Vikings lived back in 900 AD.
Be sure to watch for this year’s Tivoli Royalty King and Queen as they reign over the weekend’s events. One place visitors may see them is at the famous 165-year-old Danish Windmill. The mill was originally built in Denmark in 1848, then dismantled piece by piece and shipped to Elk Horn where community volunteers reassembled it over 39 years ago. Watch the wings fly around on a windy day and pick up a bag of stone ground flour to use in your next loaf of bread!

A visit to Tivoli Fest would not be complete without sampling some of the mouth-watering foods. Danish Open Faced Sandwiches, a work of art on a slice of bread, and Danish desserts will be served at the Town Hall – what a feast! The Fire Station is the place to get æbleskiver and medisterpølse, the Danish version of pancakes and sausage. These ethnic foods are a hit with the entire family! Elk Horn also has a wonderful assortment of restaurants and bakeries including some that are only available during Tivoli Fest.

Come and see the progress on the construction of the Museum of Danish America’s new Curatorial Center expansion. (Photo courtesy of Museum of Danish America)

Elk Horn is proud of the unique gift shops that make shopping an experience you won’t soon forget. 
Don’t miss the Open Air Street Market! Broadway Street, on the north side of the Danish Inn, will be filled with vendors from far and near. Stroll and shop a variety of art, antiques, tasty foods, handmade and commercial goods, flea market items, and more. Enjoy the experience of open air shopping!

The fun in Elk Horn doesn’t end when the sun goes down – enjoy a concert featuring Darla Hansen at the New Elk Horn Fire Department, and fireworks on Saturday night! Bring the whole family to the mill grounds for the FFA Barbeque. The Windmill Entertainment Stage will feature on- going entertainment such as a local talent show, The Dane Follies and join participants for the Danish re-make of the popular Family Feud game show in their very own “Tivoli Feud” version! Come find out the most popular answers to questions when Danes are polled! Don’t miss the face-off between locals and alumni as their team’s battle for the Tivoli Feud Championship! Tivoli Feud will provide family fun entertainment right up until the skies are filled with our 15th annual fireworks display! Join Elk Horn Fire Department’s hosting of the Iowa Craft Beer Tent.
Be sure to pick up a detailed schedule at any local business.

Plan your trip to Elk Horn now to take a Danish vacation without a passport. We look forward to seeing guests on Memorial Day weekend. For further information see us at www.danishvillages.com. Elk Horn is located in Southwest Iowa. Take Exit 54 off Interstate 80 and go 6 miles north.

TOUR DE TIVOLI BIKE RIDE IS SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2014

The Danish Windmill, Elk Horn, Iowa will be hosting the 6th annual Tour de Tivoli Bike Ride on Sunday May 25th at Tivoli Fest. Registration will be at the Mill at 8am and the official start is at 9am. This year’s Tivoli is a great one! Once again, participants will enjoy the beautiful countryside and challenging, rolling hills. As you may know, RAGBRAI’s 2013 Century Loop was the exact route we have had all 6 years! Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Danish Windmill grounds, 4038 Main Street, Elk Horn. Plenty of parking is available and restrooms are available inside the Windmill. After you register and before the ride begins, you can enjoy an Æbleskiver breakfast at the Elk Horn Fire Station by using your Free Meal Voucher or take a tour or shop at the Windmill. DON’T FORGET TO USE YOUR WINDMILL COUPON! The Tour will end back in Elk Horn where a post-ride party will be happening. Available again this year is a one-of-a kind, classy bike jersey, featuring the 2014 Tivoli Fest logo & theme. The $35.00 includes a T-shirt. Call about the bike Jersey.

“JUL” LOVE IT!
 JULEFEST IN THE DANISH VILLAGES IS NOVEMBER 28 AND 29, 2014

The Danish Villages of Elk Horn and Kimballton, Iowa begin their Christmas celebration with Julefest 2014 on November 28th and 29th. The important elements of a Danish Christmas – good food, warm hospitality, flickering candles and other decorations – will all be a part of this weekend. There are unique shops, specialty stores and craft fairs for early holiday shopping as well as many food establishments, serving pastries, breads, candies, Danish open faced sandwiches and Danish specialties such as rullepølse. There are over 20 locations offering exquisite one-of-a-kind gifts.

The Museum of Danish America (The Danish Immigrant Museum) in Elk Horn, Iowa

The museums and historic structures welcome visitors with special events and decorations. The Museum of Danish America (The Danish Immigrant Museum) will exhibit Danish Christmas plates from past years. The historic Danish Windmill built in 1848 and brought to Elk Horn from Denmark piece-by-piece 30 years ago will serve glögg and Danish cheese to visitors and have an old fashion Julemarked. Bedstemor’s House – Danish for Grandmother’s House – will welcome visitors with a warm fire. The parlor’s Christmas tree will be decorated with homemade paper ornaments like Julehjerte, chains, fish, and roses. Bring your egg money to the General Store Museum in Kimballton.

The original Boutique & Quilt Sale in Kimballton, “A Prairie Christmas,” represents over 30 folk artists. The Elk Horn Town Hall features Iowa Homespun Crafters at the “Main Street Country Boutique.” Enjoy the many shops and boutiques in both towns – they’re sure to get you in the holiday spirit and help fill your Christmas list!

Both towns will be decorated for Christmas and the streets lined with Danish and American flags. Listen for the Christmas carolers and look for Father Christmas on Friday. Join us for our traditional dancing and singing around the Christmas tree on Saturday night at the Christmas concert at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.

Julefest is a great way for these proud Danes to show off their Danish heritage to their welcomed guests and to celebrate the opening of the Christmas season in the Danish Villages.

Elk Horn and Kimballton are located in southwest Iowa, off I-80, 6 and 9 miles north of Exit 54. Learn more at www.danishwindmill.com and www.danishmuseum.org.

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