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" or "Norwegian Harvest Festival." It's the largest festival in North America that celebrates Scandinavian culture.
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About Norsk Høstfest
The festival takes place on the North Dakota State Fair grounds in Minot. Tens of thousands of people come to enjoy and learn about Scandinavian culture and entertainment. The festival has featured traditions from many Nordic and European places. These include Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Greenland, Åland, Faroe Islands, German-speaking Europe and the Netherlands.
How the Festival Started
Norsk Høstfest was started in 1978 by Chester Reiten (1923-2013). He was a former senator and mayor of Minot. Chester and his friends wanted to celebrate their Nordic heritage. The festival is run by a non-profit group. This group raises money to keep Scandinavian culture, history, and educational programs alive.
Recent Years
The Norsk Høstfest was canceled in 2020 and 2021. This happened because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Fun Activities at the Festival
Norsk Høstfest has many exciting things to see and do.
Honoring Great People
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 who have Scandinavian roots. These are people who have done amazing things in their jobs or helped make the world a better place.
Other awards given out include the annual Miss Norsk Høstfest. There is also the Chester Award, which celebrates excellence at the festival. This award is given in five areas: artists, exhibitors, food sellers, volunteers, and leaders.
Nordic Arts and Crafts
The festival shows off many Nordic exhibits. You can see talented artists, craftsmen, and chefs. They share their skills and traditions.
Høstfest for Kids
During Høstfest week, people from the festival visit local schools. This program is called "Høstfest in the Schools." They teach students about Nordic heritage and culture.
There is also a Scandinavian Youth Camp. This camp happens the weekend before the main festival. Children who attend the camp get to perform at Høstfest. They take part in fun events like the troll beauty contest and Norwegian folk dance. You might also see Swedish maypole dancers and a lively troll parade!
Live Entertainment
Every night of the festival, there are several main performers. These "headliners" are not just Scandinavian artists. Past performers have come from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
