July 19, 20, 21, 2019

Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY

2019 Highlights

Swedish Meatballs
Band from New York City Area

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Simple Gifts
String instrument duet from Central Pennsylvania

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Toronto Swedish Folk Dance Team

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Thule Swedish Adult and Children's Folk Dance Teams

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The Probables
Rhythm-driven, folk/cana roots rock band
**Concert only Friday July 19**

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Viking Mixed Chorus

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A Major Series of Lectures
Historical & Educational

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A New  Scandinavian Food Court

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The "footprint" of the Festival will be much smaller this year.
Located in the Carnahan building and space between this building and the JCC Gymnasium, but will continue to have the features.

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Thank you for the Financial Support
This project is made possible with financial donations from many individuals and local organizations/businesses.  In particular we recognize the support of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Tri-County Arts Council.

Festival Food Court

The Scandinavian Folk Festival is presenting an array of Scandinavian Foods in one location in the Scandinavian Food Court. This Food Court will be located near the entertainment tent and at times will offer its own entertainment.

Serving around the covered seating for dinning will be 3Cs Food Truck offering a variety of traditional dishes, the Beer/Wine wagon, and the Kaffe Stuga. This will be a great place to gather with family and friends.

3Cs Food Truck 3Cs catering service will provide the traditional food this year.  The menu includes a variety plate, Swedish meatballs, rice pudding, rotomos, yellow pea soup, brown beans and some non Swedish favorites.

Beer & Wine Wagon

Enjoy Danish Carlsberg Beer or some local favorites or a selection of wines.

Kaffe Stuga

Ice Cream with strawberries is always good on a warm Summer day!

 
Other Food Vendors

Mr. D’s

Returning to offer a variety of good ole' festival food, some of which include:

• Curly Fries
• Fried Dough
• Hamburgers & Hot Dogs

Norm’s Korv Burgers

The American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation is providing a booth
again this year to serve this is a locally created dish that is gaining national attention.

Swedish Meatballs Led by Ellen Lindstrom, Swedish Meatballshail from the New York City area and perform regularly in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut region. They are already scheduled for more than 37 events in 2019 and we are pleased that they have included Jamestown in their tour. This trio will focus primarily on Swedish gammeldans (waltz, polka, schottis) music while including some American selections in their performance. They describe themselves as "toe-tapping, foot-stomping, heart-touching eclectic musical band."

The Probables The local band "The Probables" will perform one concert only on: Friday July 19, 2019 at 8-9:30 PM. The Probables are a rhythm-driven, folkcana/roots rock band formed in March of 2016 releasing recordings in 2016 and 2018. With influences of Americana, Folk, Contemporary, Bluegrass and Rock, The Probables result is a fusion with a unique blend. The group consists of 5 members, most with Swedish heritage: Steve Johnson - Lead Singer/Acoustic Guitar Matt Gronquist - Accordion/Fiddle/Vocals Adam McKillip - Mandolin/Vocals Ryan Ecklund - Bass, and Nick Campbell - Drums

Simple Gifts Two women plus twelve instruments equals one good time when Simple Gifts takes the stage. Drawing on an impressive variety of ethnic folk styles, their program will include a number of Scandinavian musical selections such as the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style. Combining tradition with innovation, Simple Gifts creates some of the finest arrangements in folk music today:  Based in the hills of central Pennsylvania, these women play an amazing array of instruments. Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon switch with ease among fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, guitjo, recorders, bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, baritone fiddle, guitar, and percussion. Simple Gifts is frequently complimented on their stage presence, which is warm, personal, and accented with humor. They deliver their music with rare intensity and contagious enthusiasm. It’s obvious that Simple Gifts loves the music they play and knows how to share their excitement with the audience.

Svenska Spelmän Western New York's own Swedish Band, Svenska Spelmän, has performed at all 17  Scandinavian Folk Festivals.   All members are from Chautauqua County.  Kathy Petersen plays the fiddle and nyckelharppa, Cheryl Ritch performs on the fiddle, Thomas Gestwicki on the guitar/banjo and Donald Sandy on the accordion.  They focus on the traditional music of Scandinavia such as the waltz, polka, schottis, ganglot, and hambo.  Their selections provide music both for enjoyable listening as well as dancing.  This band is also the music for the Thule Adult and Children's Folk Dance Teams.  They have performed in the Swedish embassy in Washington, DC and for the King and Queen of Sweden.

Viking Mixed Chorus The Viking Mixed Chorus from our own Ingjald Lodge - Independent Order of Vikings will perform a concert on Friday evening.  Their selections include Swedish as well as English songs.

Thule Lodge Adult and Children's Folk Dance Teams The local Thule Lodge Vasa Order of America has two Swedish Folk Dance Teams - one with adults and one with children.  They have been part of our community for a number of generations.  The Adult Folk Dance Team toured Sweden in 2018 and worked with nine different folk dance teams to finesse their dancing skills.  The Children's Folk Dance Team danced with Sweden's Queen Sylvia when she last visited Jamestown.  The mission of both teams is to preserve the heritage of our Scandinavian Culture. Both teams are always seeking new members so if interested let one of the dancers know.  The Children's Team is under the direction of Mary-AnnEva Ingrao and the instructor for the Adult team is Gerd Brigotta.  Both teams perform to the music of Svenska Spelmän.

Toronto Swedish Folk Dance Team   This year's Scandinavian Folk Festival is proud to present the Swedish Folk Dance Team from Toronto, Canada.  They have been to the Festival in the past and are always well received.  We welcome them back after a two year absence.  This dance team is quite skilled and offers a colorful performance.  They will also encourage the audience to join in with their dancing.

 

Comedian Peter Hofert

Local comedian Peter Hofert will share his versions of the Scandinavian community.

More Coming Soon

Traditional Midsommar Celebration

      After the long dark winter days in Sweden, it is natural to celebrate the long warm light of the days of summer.  Since Sweden is more northerly than continental United States, we do not recognize the contrast of the two seasons as much as the people of Sweden.  Midsummer is the second most celebrated event after Christmas.  In Sweden, they celebrate this tradition on the summer solstice, the longest day of light in the year. 

      We will be celebrating midsummer at the Festival on Saturday July 20 at 11:00 AM.  Beginning at 10 AM one can assist in decorating the midsummer pole with flowers and greenery.  What a great place to insert some flowers from your garden in recognition of your ancestors.  At this time, one can also make a midsummer head wreath in preparation for the grand procession of the pole.  In this procession will be at least 37 folk dancers in their colorful costumes, the flags of Scandinavia, and ten musicians.  When the 18 ft. tall midsummer pole is erected, the community ring dancing will begin.  This is when we all join in the fun, no experience required, instruction provided and enjoy traditional ring dances around the pole just like our immigrant ancestors did back in the 1800s.  Regardless of age or physical status, this is the time and place to celebrate.

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Finnish Wife Carrying Contest   

     On Saturday, July 20 at 4:00 PM the Scandinavian Folk Festival will conduct the Finnish wife carrying contest.  One really does not need to be married but it must be a male and female at least 18 year's old.  The object is to be the fastest person carrying one's partner around an obstacle course consisting of some bails of hay, tires and water hazards.  The fastest couple wines the female's weight in beer.  (Weighing can be private.)  The second place team wins $50.  Participants must wear provided helmets.  Even if you are not willing to enter, this event is a hoot to watch.  There is no entrance fee and registration begins at 3:30 PM.

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Scandinavian Trivia Contest

     Win $100 for the trivia team with the highest point value of correct answers. 

• There will be three rounds of questioning with about 6 questions in each round and one tie breaker question.   
• All questions will relate to Scandinavia.   
• The contest will be held on Saturday July 20 at 6 PM.   
• Teams can be up to four people. 
• No internet connections allowed.   
• No fees to enter, just organize your team and join the fun. 
• Nobody gets all the answers correct.

Whichcraft

Finely Crafted by: Kara

Denell Conley of Kennedy, NY, will have handmade wooden gnomes and sailboats with Scandinavian ribbons.

Returning to JCC is Ellen Fjermedal with Ellen’s Rosemaling, famous for her painting. Make sure to stop by and give her a warm welcome!

Mor Mor’s Attic

 

European Sheepskinsfrom Buffalo, NY, is joining us again this year.   The sheepskins are absolutely beautiful! You can check them out at www.europeansheepskins.com.

Kate Kylander Svensson with Uniquely Swedish Gifts from Lititz, Pennsylvania

They will have a variety of Swedish and Scandinavian linens and gifts.

Anne Jorunn Syvertsen A new vendor coming all the way from NORWAY! She will have many hand-knitted gifts and some handstitched items.

Festival Market Tent

The Festival Market Tent is staffed by volunteers and offers a wide variety of unique items. 

 

One section is the Loppis (flea market) where unique family heirlooms and used Scandinavian items are located.Festival volunteers are constantly seeking Scandinavian items at community sales during the year and bringing these items together in the Market Tent.  Anybody can place items for sale on a consignment basis.  It is already known that a collection of Swedish made copper and wooden items will be available. The Loppis offers one of a kind items that can not be purchased in a store.

 

Another section of the Festival Market Tent is the Hemslojdsbutik.  A wide variety of items that are hand made are offered.  It could be Swedish painted items, Ecklof baked delicacies, hand knitted afghans, linens of many types such as pillow cases. tablecloths and table runners.  Even locally grown blueberries have been offered in the past.  A new item this year will be chainmail jewelry.

 

The Festival Market Tent also has a Gift Shop offering a wide variety of commercially made Scandinavian items such as calendars, books, Viking helmets, Swedish Christmas decorations, decorative plates and t-shirts.  Too many items to list.  Check out the Festival souvenirs.

 

 

 

Coming Soon

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FESTIVAL !!

An event of this magnitude does not exist without a large number of volunteers (and three hours gets you into the Festival free for a day!). Before the event begins we need volunteers to help put up advertising signs, and distribute flyers. Other pre-festival volunteers are needed to transport our supplies from Gerry, set up the site with chairs, tables, and signs. During the festivities we need volunteers to help with the admission gate, the info center, and Festival sales booths such as the Gift Shop, Loppis and Hemslöjdsbutik and to help with keeping the Festival neat and clean. We also need people on Sunday evening taking down the Festival.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact:

Mary-AnnEva Ingrao
Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 716-489-1570
email: shimmer@flmtgif.org