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Published - Sunday, June 24, 2007

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Festival Snapshot: Norskedalen’s Midsummer Festival
By Ryan Stotts | La Crosse Tribune

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The valley comes alive with the sounds of Norway

  • What Is It? Norskedalen’s annual Midsummer Festival is held in late June. The celebration began Friday night and ends today.
    Five-year-old Elliot Schneider of Viroqua plays with one of the kittens in the barn petting zoo on the Bekkum Homestead at Norskedalen during the Midsummer Festival. Erik Daily

  • Where: Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center, three miles north of Coon Valley on Hwy. PI. Follow the detour signs for Hwy. 33 out of La Crosse.

  • Hours: 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

  • How Much? Adults $5, children $2, families $12

  • Don’t Miss It: There’s much to see, but don’t miss the Thrune Visitors’ Center featuring a museum, gift shop and information center. It’s up the hill from most of the happenings at Midsummer Festival.

  • Signature Event: The Coulee Region Wood Carvers Association’s display — in the visitors’ center. Be sure to check out the amazing cabinet carved by Tip Bagstad for his daughter. Area wood carvers are on hand to demonstrate their techniques and share their artwork.

  • Signature Food: Lefse in a bag. $1.

  • The Face Of Midsummer Festival: The trolls by the bridge. If you’re nice, they’ll even give you a painted rock.

  • The Sound Of Midsummer Festival: The valley is alive with the sound of Norway. Featured artists include the terrific Norskedalen Trio and The Three Norskies.

  • Weather Or Not: Friday’s rain didn’t stop the opening bonfire. Saturday was a glorious day to spend time in the valley. More sunshine is expected today.

  • Where The Kids Are: The Children’s Corner. Kids can blow bubbles, go on a scavenger hunt, walk the troll trails, visit the fish pond, play checkers, have their faces painted or toss a few bean bags.

  • Where Are The Bathrooms? Just north of the parking lot.

  • Crowd Control: Organizers expect about 1,200 to 2,000 people.

  • Quotable: “We’re here to preserve our Norwegian heritage, roots and nature. We’re such a diverse group. The best part is meeting people from all over the world, including Norway.” — Elaine Olsen, working in the gift shop. Olsen has been around since the Midsummer Festival started in 1981.

  • By The Numbers: Dogs on leashes, six; old men sleeping under trees, two; Norwegian names on plaques, 13; kids holding kittens, six; fjord horses, five; chicks (one week old), seven.

  • More Information: Call (608) 452-3424

  • On The Web: www.norskedalen.org
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     Comments »

    Norskedalen Not...I'm American! wrote on Jun 25, 2007 6:54 AM:

    " Norskedalen? If these people love Norway so much, send them back! If they came to this country before the 1860s, then they came here illegally. They probably all came here and took jobs from real Americans! They shouldn't be allowed to fly the norwegian flag...this is America! I'm sick of driving through Coon Valley this time of year and hearing that norwegian music booming from the speakers. All those people speaking norwegian...speak english, this is America! Sound familiar? "

    Missing! wrote on Jun 24, 2007 4:03 PM:

    " The roundezous people were sorely missed. What happened to them? "


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