Festival Activities
Be a part of Norsk Høstfest this year with fun activities and opportunities! New to this year’s festival we have a Lutefisk Eating Competition, The Bunad Show and all new Bunad Parade, as well as an exciting contest called the Scandi Smorgasbord!
Volunteers and Høstfest guests are invited to model their bunad (traditional folk costume) or provide bunads for others to model to promote the festival’s heritage. Folk costumes from all Nordic countries are welcome. This information will be used by the Bunad Show MC, Joan Paddock, to describe your garment as you model.
NEW THIS YEAR: BUNAD PARADE!
Models will gather by the restrooms in Oslo Hall at 10:45 a.m. each day to participate in the Bunad Parade that will take place throughout the NORSK HØSTFEST Halls. All bunad models have the option of using a dressing room above the restrooms in the SE corner of Oslo Hall. Follow the signs to the dressing room. The Bunad Parade will be led by Hardanger Fiddler: Bud Larson. The parade will end back in Oslo Hall and the Bunad Show will start at 11:15 a.m. Romayne Kilde (Bunad Show Coordinator) will line up the models. Chairs will be on stage left for you to be seated after modeling. All bunad models will go to center stage for the finale and group photos. A wheelchair ramp (Stage Right) will be available to those with mobility needs to walk up on to the stage.
Click here to sign up to be a Bunad Model!
To participate in the show, please follow the steps to complete your profile. You will then be directed to choose the day(s) you’re able to model for the show. In the “Special Request” section, please describe your bunad, its history and anything else you feel emphasizes the heritage of your bunad. If you’re donating a bunad, please contact Teresa. See her information below.
If you have a bunad(s), please contact Teresa at the Hostfest office at 701.852.2368 ext. 3 by Monday, Sept. 11.
We have an exciting contest just for you that we are adding to this year’s festival. The Scandi Smorgasbord will take place on Wednesday at 11:30am. We are looking for the most creative, most authentic, and best dish to enter into the contest!
It will be a fun event where your vendor booth will get extra recognition throughout the festival with a banner outside your space, extra media mentions and special guests to come and try your dish all festival. The judges include the City of Minot Mayor Tom Ross, Studio 701 host, and a member of the committed sponsor.
Please let us know by September 26th if you are interested in being in the competition so we can give you the proper recognition. We ask you fill out this survey and look forward to seeing you at this year’s festival!
enter your dish here!
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the Viking Village at Norsk Høstfest. Led by Erik Patton and the Viking Age Club, this living history experience brings the spirit of the Norse warriors to life with thrilling Viking battles and games. Rikki Patton, the village’s cook and merchant, offers historical cooking demonstrations that transport you to the culinary traditions of the Viking era. Join craftsmen like Alex Lane and Cole Anderson as they showcase their skills, including axe crafting. Explore the world of textiles with Melba and Alethea Kenny, who use fibers from rare sheep breeds and even dog hair to create woven masterpieces. With historians like Lars Walker and archery displays by Cameron Christian-Weir, the Viking Village promises an immersive journey into the past. Don’t miss the blacksmith’s forge, where ancient metalworking techniques come alive. Get ready to be transported to a bygone era of warriors, craftsmen, and storytellers at Norsk Høstfest’s Viking Village.
Viking Village Activities and Entertainment
– Viking Battles and Games led by Erik Patton and the Viking Age Club (VAC).
– Historical Cooking Demonstrations with Rikki Patton, the village’s cook and merchant.
– Axe Crafting led by Cole Anderson.
– Textile Crafts, Weaving, and Nalbinding by Melba.
– Textile Arts and Weaving by Alethea Kenny, including using fibers from rare sheep breeds and dog hair.
– Historical Research and Storytelling with Lars Walker, historian and author.
– Archery Range and Fletching Displays by Cameron Christian-Weir, featuring archery activities and expertise.
– Blacksmithing demonstrations.
Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure at Norsk Høstfest! For our young explorers, there’s a world of Scandinavian wonder waiting with games, discovery, and delightful troll tales. Collect special stamps as you roam this lively festival, and your journey ends with a sweet treat. Meanwhile, adults can dive deep into the rich cultural tapestry of Norsk Høstfest. Explore artisan booths, learn of traditional Nordic cuisine, and even get a taste of traditional Nordic drinks. Collect stamps as you immerse yourself in this vibrant celebration. No matter your age, Norsk Høstfest promises an enriching and exciting experience for all!
Enjoy the festivities and exploration at Norsk Høstfest!
Høstfest University is back at this year’s festival! This featured event offers a unique opportunity for festivalgoers to delve into Scandinavian culture through a series of lectures, workshops, and hands-on experiences. Whether you’re interested in history, art, cuisine, or language, this educational program provides a fascinating journey into the heart of the Nordic traditions that inspire the festival.
Norsk Høstfest University will be in the Norsk Room in Skien Mezzanine and will take place daily. This year’s university will feature lessons in story writing, rosemaling, woodturning, spoon carving, and even dala horse sticker making!
NORSK høSTFEST UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE
*Maximum class size for spoon carving is 8 people.
WEDNESDAY
- 1:00pm-2:00pm: Woodturning with Phil Holton – $75
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Spoon carving with Erik Vevang – $70
- 5:00pm-6:00pm: Dala horse stickers with Matt Wourinen – Free
THURSDAY
- 9:00am-12:00pm: Story Writing with Nicole Thom-Arens – $75
- 12:00pm-2:00pm: Rosemaling with Teresa – $100
- 2:00pm-3:00pm: Woodturning with Phil Holton – $75
- 3:00pm-6:00pm: Story Writing with Nicole Thom-Arens – $75
- 6:00pm-9:00pm: Spoon carving with Erik Vevang – $70
FRIDAY
- 9:00am-12:00pm: Story Writing with Nicole Thom-Arens – $75
- 1:00pm-2:00pm: Woodturning with Phil Holton – $75
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Nicole Thom-Arens – $75
- 5:00pm-8:00pm: Spoon carving with Erik Vevang – $70
SATURDAY
- 10:00am-1:00pm: Spoon carving – Erik Vevang – $70
- 1:00pm-2:00pm: Wood turning with Phil Holton – $75
- 2:00pm-5:00pm: Spoon carving with Erik Vevang – $70
Register for NORSK høSTFEST UNIVERSITY
“SKOL”- Bowl Turning in Scandinavian Style- 1 hour presentation, Wed. and Friday, 1-2 PM
Turned wooden bowls were in the center of Scandinavian home life- for drinking and for food preparation, storage and serving. After a short introduction and “passing around” of Norwegian ale bowls and traditional bowls, Phil will demonstrate turning a bowl and answer questions. The turned wooden bowl is a door prize.
Spindle Turning in Scandinavian Style- 1 hour presentation
Scandinavia is “wood culture,” and wood was a valuable and near-at-hand resource that could be “turned” to almost any purpose, much faster than carving. Phil will discuss the basics of woodturning and demonstrate turning a rattle based on the ancient turner’s trick of “rings on a spindle.” The baby rattle is a door prize.
Introduction to Spoon Carving
Join us for a 3 hour introduction to the craft of greenwood spoon carving. You will finish the class with your own hand carved serving spoon. For the first part of class we will study safety, knife grips and traditional techniques for carving. For the rest of the class you will apply what you have learned to transform the spoon blank provided into your completed spoon.
Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting full of wood chips and closed toed shoes. All tools and supples provided. $70 per class.
Introduction to the Art of Rosemaling
Teresa will instruct a one-hour class on Rosemaling. All beginners are welcome and will learn the basic steps and strokes of this highly stylized art form. All supplies will be provided with the class fee of $100. Let’s paint!
Each day of the festival, one Mystery Viking will be roaming The Great Hall with $100 cash to give out to the first person that locates them!
How do you locate this mysterious seafarer you ask?
Well, your job is to go around The Great Hall and ask people “Hey, Hi, Where ya from?”. Not only is this the way to find our Viking, but also a great way to meet and get to know fellow festivalgoers!