52nd Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

Ferndale, California

June 15, 2002

Victorian Village of Ferndale, Humboldt County, in northwestern California

The Scotsmen lead off - Roddy Ross (left) and associate start the program with highland piping.

Humboldt County's own Scottish Country Dancers perform early on.

Traveling up from the San Jose area, the young Nordahl Grieg Barneleikarring Children's Folk Dancing Group are headliners.

This San Jose children's group, led by Mikkel Thompson with help from other adults, put on a lively show for the festival.

The bunad skirts flair as the adults join the young folks in another authentic Norwegian dance.

Another Norwegian folk dance is performed by the Nordahl Grieg Barneleikarring group. (barne = children's; leikarring = folk dance group)

Near the flags we see most of this talented group of young folks along with the board at right that lists the many Norwegian folk dances they will be performing.

Here the group leader Mikkel and assistant get ready to demonstrate the ever popular Norwegian dance where high kicking is rewarded by knocking the hat off of the stick.

To a hearty round of applause, the San Jose group take a bow at the end of their first performance.

A little varied European flavor is added to the festival with some Swiss Alps yodeling. 

Leading the Grand March is Mikkel Thompson and his very young dance associate.

Among others in the Grand March, we here see (in center) Lynn Wachter, President of the Danish Lodge, a key organizer of the festival and a member of the Fram Lodge Norwegian Language Class.

Mikkel carries the Norwegian flag during the "Presentation of Flags."

Holding the Norwegian flag aloft, the national anthem is played and those  in the audience with Norwegian heritage stand and sing the anthem of their ancestral country.

The Ferndale Danish Junior Dancers come out to demonstrate their lively ability to perform traditional folk dances.

A special treat at this year's festival was this group of Danish dancers from Fresno. 

After a quality performance the Fresno Danish Dancers take a well-deserved bow.

Fred Elliott, longtime member of both Norwegian & Danish lodges, receives a plaque of appreciation for his many years of dancing and support given to the Ferndale Danish Dancers.

Now it is time for the Ferndale Danish Tiny Tots Dancers to perform.

Posing here are members of the Eureka Sons of Norway Lodge, Joanne Walsh, Carol Daniels, Peggy Wheeler & David Iversen.

And one last photo of the Nordahl Grieg Barneleikarring group visiting from the San Jose area.

Return to Other Travels Index
You are Visitor Hit Counter since 6/22/02