Solvang Danish Days This Weekend in California – September 18 – 20, 2015

Public Invited to “Be a Dane for the Weekend” and Enjoy New, Free Entertainment & Activities – 

In the community known as “California’s Little Denmark,” the charitable Solvang Danish Days Foundation (http://www.SolvangDanishDays.org) is coordinating the 79th Annual Solvang Danish Days from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2015. The public is invited to enjoy this three-day festival honoring the establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans in 1911 and helping preserve Solvang’s authentic heritage. Admission is free and thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the festivities annually. During Danish Days, Denmark and USA flags line the streets, residents and visitors don colorful costumes; there is food, dancing and free entertainment throughout the weekend.  This year’s theme is “Skål, Til Vores Forældres Børn”, or “Cheers, to our parents’ children”.
 

At the Friday night opening ceremonies, meet 2015 Danish Days Maid Mia Andersen, a fifth-generation Santa Ynez Valley resident whose Solvang roots stretch back to 1910. 17-year old Mia remarks, “I want to invite visitors to Solvang to tap into their inner Dane; whether you are Danish or not, and create memories this Danish Days weekend.” There are three popular parades (Friday night Torchlight; Saturday afternoon Main Parade featuring 2015 Grand Marshals Bent & Susy Olsen, and Sunday afternoon Children’s Parade.)

New this year is a free concert performance by US Air Force Band of the Golden West “Galaxy” on Saturday, September 19, 2015, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. (following the Main Parade) at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage,1639 Copenhagen Drive. “Galaxy” will perform a wide variety of rock, pop and country music from today’s hits to yesterday’s favorites. Also new is online advance purchases of Saturday and Sunday Aebleskiver Breakfast tickets and the “Dane For A Day” VIP ticket bundle at https://squareup.com/market/solvang-days

Traditional Danish Days events return including Saturday and Sunday morning aebleskiver (Danish pancake) breakfasts followed by free aebleskiver eating contests. The Danish-style Beer & Wine Garden serves Carlsberg, local brews and wines on Friday night and Saturday. Experience “living history” at the nearby Elverhoj Museum on Saturday and Sunday. In Solvang Park, check out The Ravens of Odin, a professional Viking re-enactment group creating an authentic camp adjacent to the free Kids’ Korner featuring a huge LEGOS® make-your-own craft tent as well as the First Street Solvang Merchant Walk for a peek at wares from numerous local, unique-to-Solvang boutiques,.  The Solvang 2nd Century Street Party features the local rock band “Echoswitch” on Saturday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage.  The 2015 Danish Days Dinner Dance on Saturday evening at the Veterans Memorial Hall combines a menu of Danish-style barbeque with a dance featuring Santa Barbara’s popular party band Area 51.

Favorite activities year-round in Solvang include enjoying the authentic restaurants and bakeries featuring delicious Danish cuisine, as well as beer and wine tasting from local vintners. Shopping at more than 100 independent boutiques offers plenty of opportunities for special gifts from “California’s Little Denmark.”

To see the most current, complete schedule of ALL events during the weekend; visit http://www.SolvangDanishDays.org.

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