Midsommar Dag

Midsummer Dag is the most important holiday of the year at Gammelgarden and one of the most uniquely Swedish in the way it is celebrated. The Majstång (the Swedish Maypole) is decorated with greens and flowers then raised in the center of town. Traditional Swedish music and dances celebrate the long days of summer!

• Historic buildings open FREE 10-1 and after program
• 10-4 p.m.: Craft and Art Fair, Swedish Genealogy Society of Minnesota will be available to answer questions
• 10-1 St. Paul Kubb Club Society demonstration
• 11:30-12:30: Children’s “Immigrant for a Day” activities, games and crafts
• 10-11: Gazebo food sales begin – coffee, water and cinnamon rolls.
• 11-12:30: New this year! Smörgåsbord will be held on museum grounds, $15/person, $8/child – no reservation needed
Smorgasbord menu: sliced ham, cheese tray, herring in wine sauce, salmon mousse, deviled eggs, Swedish potato salad, cucumbers in sour cream, 5 bean salad, pickled beets, cottage cheese with chives, rye bread, wasa crackers, fresh fruit and strawberry shortcake, plus coffee and lemonade.
• 1:30 p.m. Gazebo food sales resume as a “Sweet Treat Station” serving coffee, soda and water, a sharing plate consisting of a dala krispie bar, dipping sauces, strawberry cupcakes and more.
• 1 p.m.: Raising of the Majstång followed by program of music and folk dances

The Swedish American Children’s Choir from Chicago area and Vasa Junior Folk Dancers will perform and lead us in the ring dances.

We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary year of the Scenic and Wild River Act. That river was the highway for the immigrants and later a source of employment in the timber/lumbering industry.

The River Singers will be performing Marine’s Marty Harding’s Bound to the River. Marty is Chair of the North Woods and Waters St. Croix Heritage Area. She wrote the song in celebration of the St. Croix River.

The Rev. Arden Haug, Lake of the Isles Lutheran Church, will give the invocation.