Norsk Høstfest facts for kids
Norsk Høstfest is a big festival held every fall in Minot, North Dakota, USA. Its name means "Norwegian Autumn Festival" in the Norwegian language. It's the largest festival in North America that celebrates Scandinavian culture.
Contents
The Festival's Story
This exciting festival takes place on the North Dakota State Fair grounds in Minot. Thousands of people come each year to enjoy and learn about Scandinavian traditions, music, and food. The festival has welcomed people from many Nordic countries, including Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
The Norsk Høstfest was started in 1978. It was founded by Chester Reiten (1923-2013), who was a senator and mayor of Minot. He and his friends wanted to celebrate their Nordic heritage. The festival is a special non-profit group. It works to save, improve, and share Scandinavian culture, history, and educational programs.
The festivals planned for 2020 and 2021 were canceled. This happened because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Fun Activities at Høstfest
A special part of the festival is announcing new members of the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame. This Hall of Fame honors people from North America with Scandinavian roots. These people have done amazing things in their jobs or helped make the world a better place.
Awards and Recognitions
Other awards include choosing the annual Miss Norsk Høstfest. There is also the Chester Award. This award celebrates excellence at the festival in five areas: artists, sellers, food stands, volunteers, and leaders.
Nordic Arts and Crafts
Norsk Høstfest also shows off many Nordic exhibits. You can see talented artists, craftsmen, and chefs sharing their skills.
Learning About Nordic Culture
During Høstfest week, presenters from the festival visit local schools. They teach students about Nordic heritage and culture. This program is called "Høstfest In The Schools."
Before the main festival, a Scandinavian Youth Camp is held. Children at these camps also perform at the festival. They take part in fun events like the Troll beauty contest and Norwegian Folk dance. You can also see Swedish Maypole dancers and a lively Troll parade.
Entertainment and Shows
Each night of the festival, there are several main performers. These "headliners" are not just Scandinavian artists. In the past, performers from the United States, Canada, and Europe have entertained the crowds.
