Event: Tastes of Norway/Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day, 10AM-4PM

Leif Erikson Hall in Ballard 

2245 NW 57th 

Seattle WA 98107

Tastes of Norway/Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Day starting at 10AM on Saturday, March 22, 2014. The events are hosted by Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001, Sons of Norway, 2245 NW 57th, Seattle, WA 98107. Presentations and demonstrations of many traditional Norwegian handcrafts, music, song, and food take place during the day. Artists demonstrate rug tying, knitting, embroidery, woodcarving, and rosemaling. Rose painting or rosemaling is a traditional craft dating from the 1700s and many items will be featured with this elaborate painting style of Norway. Gorgeous handmade goods by our Norna Ladies including their famous embroidered tea towels! Local genealogy researchers will be available to assist you with your questions about your Norwegian ancestors. Vendors include our local The Fresh Fish Company, Judy’s Painted Treasures, Byen Bakeri, Katrina’s vintage Norwegian sweaters and jewelry, and Desiree of Sweden with unique items from the Nordic countries.

See our beautiful bunader or Norwegian folk costumes and jewelry which represent the unique areas of Norway at the bunad parade at 1PM with commentary by Jody Grage of the Bunad Nettverk. At 10AM Bill Boyd starts the day off with his mystical hardanger fiddle with its dragon head and ebony and ivory inlay. The Norwegian Male Chorus sings at 11AM. They are celebrating 125 years of song and hosting the Pacific Coast Norwegian Singers Association Sangerfest this summer on June 21 at McCaw Hall! At Noon, enjoy your lunch while listening to the Folk Voice Band with Phil and Birgit Ages on their accordion and mandolin.Gorgeous costumes at 1PM. At 2PM the TinnFelen Hardanger Fiddle founded in 2003 plays mostly old time dance music on Hardanger fiddles in multi-part arrangements. Members of the ensemble are: Hardanger fiddle: Marissa Essad, Philip Wilkinson, Rachel Nesvig, Deb Kosche, Kris Johannson, Trevor Lutzenhizer; Flute: Eric Brewster; Guitar: Jim Cayou; Bass: Joe Anderson. At 3PM Richard Svensson strikes up some lively and fun music on his accordion!

10 AM: Bill Boyd, hardanger fiddle

11 AM: Norwegian Male Chorus

12 Noon: Folk Voice Band with accordion and mandolin

1 PM: Bunad (traditional Norwegian costumes from a variety of communities in Norway) Parade.  Commentary by Jody Grage. 

2 PM: TinnFelen Hardanger Fiddle Ensemble

3 PM: Richard Svensson, Accordion

Enjoy traditional foods and observe how these foods are made including the delicious desserts of kransekake, krumkake, vaffler, and lefse. Have a tasty lunch of smorbrod (open faced sandwiches), ertesuppe / peasoup, and/or rommegrot / cream porridge, and more in our Auditorium. Taste some pickled herring and pick your favorite by participating in our annual Pickled Herring Tasteoff! 

Learn about the Sons of Norway in our community including our sports and cultural skills medal programs and our scholarship programs. See waymarks of Norwegian sites in our local community and throughout the four state area of District 2 Sons of Norway, Waymarking is part of geocaching, one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Its headquarters are right here in Fremont, Center of the Universe!

The Kingdom of An Tir is sending a delegation of Vikings who will be spinning and showing the details of life during the turbulent 800-1100s.

Join in trying out fun crafts and games for kids hosted by local Norwegian teacher, Kristina Strombo. 

Meet with local representatives from many Norwegian organizations including our own Sons of Norway lodge, Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association, Norse Home, the Norwegian American Weekly, Norwegian Ladies Chorus, Friends of Bergen Place, Norwegian Male Chorus, Leif Erikson International Foundation, Seattle Norwegian Seventeenth of May Committee celebrating 125 years in Seattle, Nordic Heritage Museum, Leikarringen, Barneleikarringen and so many others! Think about joining any or all of these groups! 

Going to school? Pick up applications for scholarships to summer camps, leadership, queen for Leif Erikson Lodge, and our new Douglas Warne Vocational Scholarship which are all due on March 31!  

We even have some raffles for gift certificates, cod fish, and crafts!

Admission is free and open to the public. Velkommen og vaer saa god! / Welcome to our home and table!