It’s Scandimonium time! The end of September marks two Scandinavian festivals back-to-back: the Twin Ports Rosemaling Society’s Scandinavian Festival in Proctor, MN, on Saturday, Sept 21, and Høstfest in Minot, ND, Sept 25-28. I have less than 48 hours between returning home from one and leaving for the next.

If you’ve never been to Minot, ND (and I hadn’t until going to Høstfest last year), it’s a neat city. Navigating can be a challenge with the Souris River horseshoeing its way through town, and lots of up and down on hills in the river valley. But it’s a lovely city. Last year I made sure to tour the Scandinavian Heritage Park before the festival began, which has a replica of a Norwegian stave church (built entirely of wood, no nails), a Danish windmill, a Swedish Dala Horse, and lots of other Scandinavian attractions.

Scandinavian Heritage Park No Lutefisk Fishing Allowed Stave Church Gatehouse and Bell Full-scale replica of stave church in Gol, Norway Stave Church details Norwegian Stabbur (storehouse) 27-foot high Dala Horse Proof I was there

This year at Høstfest I’ll be joining the artisans in Copenhagen Hall (where all the vendors demonstrate their craft). Colored pencil drawing feels a little boring compared to some of the other crafts being demonstrated, but maybe that’s my bias from overexposure. Here’s my booth in Helsinki Hall in 2023:

See you in the Twin Ports or Høstfest!

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