Scandinavian Festival
scandinavian festival annual fourday celebration scandinavian heritage junction city oregon united state small city people host visitor year sunset magazine rate one best u emphasis authenticity oregon heritage tradition designation awarded scandinavian festival festival started dr gale fletchall way save dying town downtown business closing new interstate bypassed junction city diverting traffic going town oregon route fletchall began searching rallying point community spirit thought citywide celebration would ideal stumped theme considered discarded several possibility settling obvious celebration city real dormant scandinavian heritage talked idea older danishamerican resident secured financial backing chamber commerce may first community class scandinavian dancing singing organized week later church civic organization persuaded operate food craft booth august first annual scandinavian festival opened temporary booth downtown junction city fletchall expected perhaps visitor got today one oregon popular event live festival held although went virtual since city attracted visitor nationally downtown area transformed old world town occasion day festival highlight particular scandinavian country—denmark sweden finland norway costumed viking march street authentic northern european puppet show traditionally themed colorful costume displayed fashion show storyteller actor highlight han christian andersen story folk dancer perform instruct choral instrumental group perform traditional piece also language class scandia run km traditional scandinavian food includes vandbakkelser chocolate dipped yum puff æbleskiver swedish meatball lefse festival host myriad different stall taking bulk festival space lined along either side street set indoors offer shelter escape either sun rain food stall popular attraction festival æbleskiver booth meat pie booth particularly wellknown seldom seen without large crowd booth include handcraft hardanger embroidery bobbin lace tatted lace rosemaling displayed sold among painting needlework ceramic many handmade toy displayed well—puppets string wooden sword doll others showcase toy bygone era still enjoyed today featured stall expected match authentic scandinavian theme festival incidence owner certain stall gotten trouble maintaining theme one year lemonade stand designed booth look like large lemon soon festival committee discovered asked change booth match theme leading awkward—and unsuccessful—attempt camouflage giant lemon behind traditional scandinavian decoration scandinavian festival official website gale f fletchall award