- Norsk Høstfest
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Norsk Høstfest (Norwegian language: "Norwegian Autumn Festival") is an annual festival held each Fall in Minot, North Dakota. It is North America's largest Scandinavian festival. The event is conducted in the All Seasons Arena on the grounds of the North Dakota State Fair in Minot, North Dakota. Tens of thousands of people attend the Norsk Høstfest to celebrate and partake in the Scandinavian culture and entertainment. Altogether it has hosted cultural touchstones from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Greenland, Åland, Faroe Islands, German-speaking Europe and the Netherlands.[1]
Highlights of the event include announcing the annual Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame winners. The Hall of Fame is an enduring means of honoring those persons of Scandinavian descent in North America who have achieved greatness in their fields of endeavor and/or whose efforts have contributed significantly to the betterment of mankind.[2]
Norsk Høstfest features a number of Nordic exhibits with internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participating. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic. Events include the selection of the annual Miss Norsk Høstfest and winners of various other competitions.[3]
During Høstfest week (end of September through first few days of October), presenters associated with the festival travel to the surrounding area where they introduce Nordic heritage and culture to students. Additionally, Scandinavian Youth Camps are held the weekend prior to Høstfest. Children participating in the camps also perform at Høstfest in scheduled events such as the Troll beauty contest, Norwegian Folk dance, Swedish Maypole dancers, and the Troll parade.[4]
There are several headliner acts booked each night of the event, not limited to the event's Scandinavian theme. Headliners in the past have included performers from the United States, Canada and Europe.[5]
Hotels, motels, and other available rooms for rent fill up very quickly during the days leading up to Høstfest, with all lodging accommodations in the city approaching 100% at peak occupancy, making it extremely difficult for one to find a suitable vacant room without having had a reservation arranged in advance.
References
- ^ Norsk Hostfest getting under way in Minot (Minot Daily News September 27, 2008)
- ^ Discovery America
- ^ KXMB News
- ^ Discovery America
- ^ Helseth ,Candi Three decades of Høstfest. Minot steals the show with country’s premier Scandinavian festival (North Dakota Horizons. Bismarck North Dakota. Fall 2006)
Additional sources
- Olson, Lori and Olson, Jim Norsk Hostfest: Heritage Comes Alive (Farcountry Press . Helena, Mt. July 1995)
External links
Categories:- Cultural festivals
- Festivals in North Dakota
- Minot, North Dakota
- Norwegian migration to North America
- Norwegian American culture
- Swedish American history
- Icelandic American history
- German-American history
- North Dakota stubs
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