Celebrate Syttende Mai, Norway’s “Constitution Day,” at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum on May 17, in Decorah, Iowa. There will be free museum admission, a children’s parade, the Nordic Dancers, activities for all ages, the Moo Mobile, and food!
5/14/2008 :: Norwegians traditionally celebrate Syttende Mai with a children’s parade—a crowd of excited children marching through the streets waving flags, singing songs, and bringing good cheer to the day. The Vesterheim children’s parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. The route starts on Main Street at the courthouse square, then travels north along Washington Street to Water Street, then west on Water Street to Mill Street.
Decorah’s Nordic Dancers will lead the parade, and everyone is invited to march along or cheer from the sidewalks. Norwegian flags will be provided for everyone marching.
Following the parade, there will be a dance on Mill Street led by the Nordic Dancers, with audience participation, and the Moo Mobile will be selling ice cream shakes. Inside the museum there will be special activities for children, folk-art demonstrations, and gallery talks. The Dayton House will be open for lunch, serving "varme pølser" (hot dogs), grilled to order in the courtyard, and other favorites.
An exhibition of student projects from the museum’s Featherlite Pioneer Immersion Program will be on view from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the Westby-Torgerson Education Center. Syttende Mai at Vesterheim, which is sponsored by Jeff and Marilyn Roverud, is also a great time to see Vesterheim’s new exhibitions, Fire and Wood and Kubbestol: From Seating to Symbol. In case of inclement weather, the parade and Nordic Dancers will be canceled, but all other activities will continue as scheduled.
May 17 is the day Norway ratified its constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll. On “Constitution Day” Norwegians like to focus on children, who will inherit both the spirit of national freedom and the Norwegian heritage and culture that are at the heart of Syttende Mai. Come and celebrate Syttende Mai!
When: Saturday May 17, 2008
Where: Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 523 W. Water St., Decorah, Iowa
Info: Free museum admission from 9:00-5:00. Children's Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Decorah's courthouse. Come to the courthouse at 10:00 a.m. to make parade twirlers to carry in the parade. For more info call (563) 382-9681 or email info@vesterheim.org