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.
Norsk Høstfest was founded in 1978 by the late Chester Reiten and a group of friends who shared his interest in celebrating their Nordic heritage. In 1984, The Scandinavian American Hall of Fame was established as a signature event at Norsk Høstfest to honor those of Scandinavian descent in North America who have achieved greatness. The festival also crowns a yearly Miss Norsk Høstfest and holds trips to Denbigh, ND, for the annual wreath-laying ceremony honoring Sondre Norheim.
While the festival has grown to become the largest Scandinavian festival in North America, there are other entities in Minot, ND which have sprouted from the same interest of preserving heritage and celebrating Nordic culture. Among those organizations that have been cultivated through the joint interest in the Scandinavian culture are the Scandinavian Heritage Association and the Høstfest-Heritage Foundation.
