Norsk Høstfest is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to celebrate, preserve, and deepen the impact of Scandinavian culture and heritage in the social fabric and economy of the Minot region. Program focus areas include Høstfest in the Schools, Scandinavian Youth Camp, the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame, Skien-Minot sister city relationship, and Norsk Høstfest. The festival also crowns an yearly Miss Norsk Høstfest and holds trips to Denbigh, ND, for the annual wreath-laying ceremony honoring Sondre Norheim.

Norsk Høstfest is held annually in the fall in the N.D. State Fair Center on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, N.D., USA. The festival was founded in 1978 by the late Chester Reiten and a group of friends who shared his interest in celebrating their Nordic heritage. Now entering its 46th year, the festival has grown into North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, with people attending from all across the world.

The festival features dynamic entertainment, authentic Scandinavian cuisine, Scandinavian culture on display with hands-on cultural experiences, and handcrafted Nordic merchandise.