Decorah Celebrates Nordic Fest

If you're in the Decorah, Iowa, area this weekend, it's a great opportunity to take in the 46th Annual Nordic Fest. The festivities began with opening ceremonies in the Courthouse Square on Thursday evening, and they conclude with an old-time street dance with Decorah's own Footnotes on Saturday night, followed by fireworks. Saturday's events kick-off at 10:30 am with the Grand Parade.

Those with a competitive spirit might consider Saturday's Nordic rock throw, lutefisk eating contest or kubb tournament. If you're an arts lover, you'll enjoy the free entertainment available throughout the weekend, as well as the arts and crafts on exhibit at Vesterheim Museum. Street vendors offer a boatload of Norwegian delicacies, including kringle, lefse and Norwegian meatballs on a stick. If you go, you'll want to download a copy of the event program for more details.

While this weekend is a wonderful time to visit Decorah, you can enjoy the area any day. Check out "Statewide Tastes of Norway" in the August issue of Viking to plan your next getaway to the Norwegian-American meccas of Decorah, Clifton, Texas or Poulsbo, Wash.

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.