Local family honored at annual Swedesburg Midsummer festival

SWEDESBURG - Swedesburg celebrated their annual Midsummer festival on Tuesday, June 25, honoring the families of resident Tom Wenstrand.

The Swedish Heritage Society honored Tom Wenstrand and his family, whose ancestors emigrated from Sweden in the 1800s and settled in the southwest Iowa. Tom was born and grew up in the Swedish community of Essex. Tom, his wife Karen and their three children moved to this area thirty years ago and have been active in the Swedesburg community ever since.

Ron Johnson, of North Liberty provided accordion music.

The quintet, JAERV, of Sweden, presented an excellent program of original Swedish folk song. They performed with a variety of musical instruments and sang some songs. The program ended with everyone singing the immigrant song Hälsa Dem Därhemnma (Greet the Folks at Home).