Scandinavian Day 2013 is here in Illinois – Sunday, September 8, 2013

The 34th Annual Scandinavian Day Festival is about to begin on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at Vasa Park, Route 31, South Elgin, IL from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and the Scandinavian Park, Inc. NFP board and many volunteers have been hard at work preparing to host a wonderful Festival!

Scandinavian Day Festival Chairperson Joy Thorbjornsen-Coates states, “The Scandinavian Day Festival is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the 5 Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their traditions, culture, history and customs. Through our Festival we will provide a venue to honor and present all things Scandinavian, past and present, while also providing an event that is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. This shared experience is accomplished through education, food, music, dance, crafts and merchandise in a pleasant and friendly experience.”

She adds, “My paternal grandfather came from Norway and my maternal grandfather came from Sweden. My Scandinavian heritage has always been an important and an active part of my childhood and growing up years. As a young adult I fell in love with this heritage and when the kids and I visited Norway in 2006, I truly felt like I was home. Honoring my family and the traditions is so very important but just as important to me is to celebrate the Scandinavia of today. For me this is what my dream is for our Festival. To not only remember and honor what was, but to look forward and to enjoy what is and what will be.”

Scandinavian Park, Inc. NFP looks forward to welcoming you to Vasa Park, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2013. For more information, visit www.scandinaviandayil.com and www.vasaparkil.com.