Norsk Hostfest - North America's Scandinavian Festival

My grandfather left Denmark and sailed to America when he was nine years old. He often shared his childhood memories of his homeland and he could speak some Danish until the day he died. For most immigrants, him included, their Old World homeland remains a source of pride, no matter where they reside later in life. While they love their adopted land, many still want to preserve their cultural heritage.

Norsk Hostfest, North America's largest Scandinavian Festival, is celebrating its 30th year, starting the evening of October 9th and continuing to the 13th.

Here's your geography lesson for the day--Scandinavia is collectively made up of Iceland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

Minot, North Dakota is the home of Hostfest and with good reason. A full 40% of North Dakotans report some Norwegian heritage. Maybe the chilly temperatures remind them of weather back in northern Europe!

The inspiring Parade of Flags, performed twice daily, is a special festival tradition. The national anthems from each country are performed (in their native tongue) and participants wear the clothing of their homeland. The Minot Air Force Base also presents the Honor and Color Guard at this ceremony.

This is truly a community-wide event. Local schools and churches participate by offering interesting foods of the region. Your tastebuds can travel to distant lands, even if you can't. Swedish meatballs, I understand and Danish pastries, I love them--but what is Viking-on-a-stick? That's a new one.

Try some lutefisk, a traditional seafood of Nordic countries. It's made from air-dried whitefish, normally cod, but ling is something used as well. Part of the preparation includes the use of lye.

Dancing is another important feature of Hostfest. Whether it's flowing two-step or foot-stomping polkas, live bands bring tow-tapping music to this festival. Anyone who loves to dance is welcome.

For a bit of time travel, groups like the Viking Age Club of Minneapolis, enjoy bringing to life the tools, tales and times of people who lived more than 1000 years ago.