84th Annual

                                 Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

 
Presented by: Scandinavian Heritage Foundation & League of Swedish Societies

A big thank you to our 2011 Sponsors:

  

The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Music, Dancing, Games

Scandinavian Foods, Vendors & Beer Garden

  Raising of the Maypole 1:00 p.m.

 Kids' Zone 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beer Garden noon to 8 pm

 Dance: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Oaks Park
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, OR 97202

$6 adults / $3 children (6 - 12 years of age) / Family $15 (2 adults, 2 children)

Midsummer in Scandinavia's northern climate is the biggest coming out celebration of the year and everyone is invited. At Portland's Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, it is a celebration of fertile fields, warmer and longer days with games, dancing, food, Scandinavian crafts and of course the raising of the Maypole.

However, Scandinavian roots are not required to celebrate at this summer solstice festival. As all people of Nordic descent know, it’s always a fun, family friendly and important day with century old traditions.

Scandinavians in traditional dress will greet hundreds of visitors beginning at 11 a.m.. Food and crafts are available from local Scandinavian clubs and vendors. Two stages of entertainment and a beer garden promise continuous entertainment with live music and dancing, all with a Scandinavian flavor. The Maypole will be raised at 1 p.m. and the Scandinavian of the Year award will be given during that festive event.

The festival concludes with folk dancing, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Kids Zone, a family-friendly space ~ Sponsored by IKEA

For the children the highlight of the day is taking part in decorating and raising the maypole. Adults and children alike dance around the pole together and sing traditional songs like “Smaa Grodorna är lustiga att se” (Little Frogs are funny to watch). As is the custom around a few large holidays, the children will make and wear flower wreaths which are worn by both women and children. Long ago it was believed that everything that grew contained special magic powers. This belief lives on in the tradition to collect flowers before going to bed on Midsummer night. Young girls pick seve  to nine flowers from different locations in silence. Some even say you have to jump seven fences. Still in silence you go home and put your flowers underneath your pillow. The legend says that you will dream of the man you will marry!

For this 83rd annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in metropolitan Portland, the League of Swedish Societies is joined by the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (SHF), with its large membership representing the five Nordic countries -- Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Iceland.

We will upload this year's entertainment schedule once it becomes available.

2011 Entertainment 

2011 Special Guests:

 2011 Portland Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Entertainment Schedule

Volunteer Opportunities