THOUSAND OAKS — What began as a golf game conversation in the early 1970s, has become the largest Nordic festival in Southern California. The Scandinavian Festival — the legacy of the late Professor Armour Nelson and the late John Nordberg — will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 18 and 19. Held at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, the family-fun festival honors the founding of the university and the history of the Conejo Valley, which Norwegians settled in the 1890s.
The weekend festival features music, food, crafts, demonstrations (food and Nordic crafts) and celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Sami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia.
Produced by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation, the inaugural festival was held in 1974. Approximately 600 people attended the event, enjoying a display of Scandinavian art, rare books, food, dancing and music. Consuls from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland also participated.
Today, approximately 5,000 people annually attend the festival.
Two-time Grammy-Award-winning violinist and composer Mads Tolling is playing on the Main Stage on May 19. Tolling is a member of Bob Weir’s Wolf Bros/Pack Band and formerly with bassist Stanley Clarke and Turtle Island Quartet. The popular ABBAFab tribute band will headline the Main Stage both days. Other Main Stage performers include singer-songwriters Ann-Marita Garsed, Grim Bernhoft, the Swedish Folk Dance Club of Los Angeles, North Star Nordic Dancers and more.
Acclaimed storyteller Robert Seutter (aka True Thomas) will perform ongoing story-telling.
Children’s Stage performances include the musician and entertainer Ross Sutter, audience-participation productions of “Three Billy Goats Gruff” and Under the Northern Lights: Stories and songs from Arctic Norway with Stina Fagertun.
In the Nordic Country Crafts Tent, children can make free craft souvenirs representing each Scandinavian nation and earn a reward for collecting passport stickers from each activity.
Festivalgoers can wander through an authentic Scandinavian encampment and a Sami siidastallan, or community gathering. They can ask a rune reader for advice, trace their family trees with the help of genealogy experts and buy Scandinavian handicrafts. Aebleskivers, Viking dogs, Swedish meatballs and other favorites will be available in the food court.
There is also a large games area for competitive activities, including Viking chess, a strategy game from the Middle Ages. Attendees also can play Dala horse croquet and the ancient Viking game of kubb. Other activities include painting a wooden Viking ship, decorating head wreaths with flowers and ribbons and dancing around the maypole.
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 18 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 19 in Kingsmen Park, located on the California Lutheran University campus, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Admission is free for kids 12 and younger and starts at $18 for others. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite. Parking is free.
For more information, visit scandinavianfest.org, the festival’s Facebook page or email Michael DeTerra, Scandinavian Festival marketing coordinator, at mdeterra@callutheran.edu
About California Lutheran University: Founded in 1959 and formally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, California Lutheran University is home to 2,377 undergraduate and 1,033 graduate students. Our students come from 59 countries and represent a wide spectrum of faiths and spirituality. Our dedicated, accomplished faculty teach in small classes, guiding our students as they grow into open-minded leaders who are strong in character and judgment, confident in identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions, discover their purpose and transform their community. Learn more at CalLutheran.edu
About the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation: The Foundation, which operates the Scandinavian Center, is located on the grounds of California Lutheran University. It benefits from strong Scandinavian ties held by the university and shares university facilities and programming for the Scandinavian community. The goals of the organization are to preserve and promote Scandinavian heritage and culture for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. Learn more at ScandinavianCenter.org