And We Fested...

Nordic Fest, that is. Despite Rogan being sick Wednesday night and Thursday morning, we did make it to Nordic Fest for my dad's side family reunion at Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa... here are some highlights...

The Nordic Flags on the Main Street

Nordic Fest is all about the Norwegian food!! Most of which has been a staple in my grandmother's house, so I have grown up with. For Ryan it was a new experience. Who knew pickled herring is served at every meal? Lefse (lef-sa)= Norwegian potato roll that we eat hand over hand with butter. But have no fear, we Norwegians also have regular rolls too, of course. CARBS!! If you wrap a sausage in lefse, you get Varme Polse (Var-ma Poll-sa). We have been doing this at the breakfast table any time we have both ingredients in the house. There was ALWAYS a line for this. But I did manage to get one. (Ryan did not eat it.)
Other foods were Vaffels (Waffles), assorted Norwegian baked goods, and Lingonberry Ice Cream, the berry of Norway. You could also get it as a slushie. And all "nordic fest cocktails" also featured lingonberry juice in some way. It was everywhere.

TIME FOR THE PARADE!!

My Grandmother was the honored Nordic Flag recipient this year. She rode in the front of the parade in her traditional bunad costume...

Behind her followed the "traditional" nordic fest parade crew...

A giant cow...

the vikings...
more vikings...
and of course, the trolls.
TIME TO DRESS UP!!

Rogan wore the toddler outfit that my two cousins wore almost 25 years ago... luckily we were able to get them both dressed up at the same time for some pictures.

Thanks to my Aunt for sending it to us.

Ryan got in the Nordic spirit... he bought this awesome Norway shirt at the gift shop, and got several compliments and queries about where to get it. By the end of the weekend i think 1 in 5 guys had this shirt below...

Quite a handsome pair I have...

NORWAY PRIDE!

And as a fun blast from the past... here I am, all dressed up almost 20 years ago.


In addition to food and parade festing we also partook in some of the activities Nordic fest and the town of Decorah had to offer...

Ryan and my dad did the Kanoelopet... a canoe race, tipped over, and got to cool off in the river.

Ryan and I did the Elvelopet... a 5k foot race... here's proof... Ryan beat me.
Special thanks to my mom, who watched Rogan while we ran/walked...

Here is Rogan showing his support... "good job, Dad."

She also watched him one night so we could go out a bit and pack up. She was a very much appreciated third pair of hands. And they are best buds.

And then it was time to go home! But not before a few spins on the luggage carrier...