Midsummer Celebration is Saturday in Swedesburg

The Midsummer Celebration will be held at the Swedesburg Iowa Parish Hall. The day begins at 10:30-1:00 Swedish Pancake Breakfast. Tickets at the door, $10.00 adults, $5.00 age 8 under. Swedish pancakes, potatis korv, ham pastries, juice, coffee.

4:00-6:00 p.m. Games, wagon rides, Swedish music, Henry County Cattlemen’s food for purchase.

6:00 p.m. Presentation and dance around the majstang (Maypole), Swedish folk music by the Nordland Band, Ice cream social to follow.

Many ask what the difference between the Summer Solstice and Midsummer Day. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. Midsummer Day is just that – the middle of summer or more importantly the midpoint of the harvest season. In the well-ordered Swedish world Midsummer day is June 24, While midsummer is celebrated in many countries, most have the Scandinavia in mind when they hear of the celebration. It is a national holiday in Sweden and Finland. Flowers, food and music are key components to this fun holiday.

The celebration at Swedesburg is a good time to observe the Maypole Dance. This used to be a huge component of life in nearly every community but is now a rare occurrence. The date of midsummer festival has become flexible so that it can begin on a Friday night (Midsommar Eve) and continue into Saturday. The date is now set for the first Friday after the summer solstice.

Plan to visit the Swedesburg Museum, enjoy a bit of nostalgia and learn about Swedish culture and its immigration to Iowa.