Swedesburg encourages people to ‘Come to the Table’

SWEDESBURG — Only a few tickets remain for an opportunity to enjoy the annual Authentic Swedish Smorgasbord this Thursday in Swedesburg.

“It’s very delicious,” Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church Secretary Mary McLerran said. “I recommend it for everyone. It really is a treat.”

According to McLerran, the Smorgasbord is a meal fundraiser put on by the Swedesburg Lutheran Church to raise funds to support local, national and international missions.

This tradition, which began in 1928, happens the first Thursday in December every year.

A $20 ticket gets attendees a seating time (only 7 p.m. seating remains available) in which they will get their chance to enjoy authentic Swedish foods made from recipes handed down through generations.

Tickets are available for purchase through the church office or Swedish American Museum.

According to McLerran, when you arrive at the north side of the Parish Hall with your Smorgasbord ticket, you will receive a number.

Guest will then wait in the auditorium and where they can visit as they wait for their number to show up on the hymn board.

“You get to meet local Swedish people and non-Swedish people,” McLerran said. “It is just so fun to catch up with all your family and friends.”

McLerran says the venue is usually packed without any open seats until someone’s number is called.

Once a guest’s number is displayed on the hymn board, they will have the opportunity to walk through the smorgasbord and eat until they are content.

“It’s a huge feast,” McLerran said. “I never walk away hungry. Everything is delicious and they’re very quick changing out the plates for you.”

The smorgasbord will have two sides for diners to go through for speed, but both will offer the same food that McLerran looks forward to every year.

According to information put together by one of the event coordinators, “The menu consists of traditional Scandinavian dishes such as, Fruktsoppa (Fruit Soup), Bruna Bönor (Brown Beans), Svenska Köttbuller (Swedish Meatballs), Potatiskorv (Potato Sausage), and deserts Rigrynsgröt (Rice Pudding), Ostkaka (a special custard like cake), Äppelkaka (Apple Cake), Lingonberries (shipped here from Sweden), and many other dishes too numerous to list.”

A whole committee of volunteers put in hours of work to prepare this meal every year for over 80 years, and they will excitedly continue to welcome friends, family, neighbors and guests for the foreseeable future.

“The Swedish expression ‘var så go’ is used when offering something to eat,” the church website explains. “The Swedish Smorgasbord menu of Swedesburg, IA politely translates as ‘Please honor us by accepting what we have to offer,’ more simply translated as ‘Come to the Table.’”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com