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If you ever find yourself in North Dakota (or even in the vicinity) during the fall time, you have to check out the annual Norsk Høstfest, which is America’s largest Scandinavian Festival. Know what makes it even better? They are RV SUPER friendly!
Norsk Høstfest, which was founded in 1978, is held at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, North Dakota.
About the Norsk Høstfest Festival
Norsk Høstfest celebrates the Scandinavian culture and heritage of the five Nordic countries which include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Each of the nations are represented in the halls of the festival where the individual styles of each country’s entertainment, food, clothes, art, and jewelry can be found.
Norsk Høstfest is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises funds to preserve, improve and share Scandinavian culture, heritage, and educational programs.
What To Do At Norsk Høstfest
Learn about Scandinavian culture – Spend the day learning and celebrating the Scandinavian culture by checking out each of the halls that represent each Nordic country.
Walk with Vikings – How many people can say they have walked among Vikings? Not many, until now! Walk among the Vikings at Viking Village and learn about livelihood while exploring their unique crafts by trying your hand at Viking archery with hand-made longbows, watching hot iron be forged into Viking Age items by blacksmiths, seeing how they developed shades of color for clothing, or by watching one of their Viking battles performed by trained warriors.
Learn How To Make Scandinavian Delicacies – Visit the Nordic Kitchen where audience members will be able to learn firsthand how to make Scandinavian delicacies and meet and interact with the chefs before and after each demonstration.
Don’t Forget the Food! – With over 25 different food options at the festival, you can spend the entire day “testing” them all out! Whether you are looking to dine in or a quick bite you are sure to find the perfect Scandinavian treat.
Shop & Be Happy! – Let’s not forget the International Marketplace where you can find unique stores to purchase silver jewelry, Norwegian sweaters, authentic Scandinavian gifts, fine arts, souvenirs, and more.
Hands-On Learning – Take a class at Høstfest University where instructors, who are well recognized in their areas of expertise, teach Scandinavian folk art classes such as rosemaling, wood carving, jewelry design, fiber arts, and more where you will receive personalized assistance and complete a project to take home.
Nightly Dances – As night falls, the party is just beginning. Dance the night away to live music every night (Wednesday-Saturday) on the Skien Mezzanine. Featured bands include Dakota Rose, Fiddling Lefty, Crazy Mountain Express, 612Live, and Soul Shine.
RVs Welcome
Fellow RVers, plan ahead to add this festival to your list as it is RV friendly! There are over 1,000 RV spots all with electrical hookups.
Check out the rest of the amenities for RVers:
- Hot showers, fresh water, garbage services and a dump station.
- A-1 Evans Septic Tanks will supply private services such as potable (drinking) water and sewage dumping on an on-call basis, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm to Høstfest RVers during the festival. Call (701) 852-5103 for pricing details and to place a need request.
- RV Hospitality Center with complimentary coffee and doughnuts.
- Polka Service and Jam Session, Sunday, September 23, 2018, with the Høstfest Accordion Club.
- Lefse Master Prequalifier, Marketplace Foods, Monday, September 24, 2018.
- RV Pre-Party event, 5 p.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2018, a festive night of dinner and dance! Make sure to order your tickets in advance!
- Free nightly dances compliments of Cognizant.
Getting There
Dates: September 26 – 29, 2018 7:30am – 11pm
Address: North Dakota State Fairgrounds, 2005 Burdick Expy E, Minot, ND, 58701
Where to Stay: There are several hotels in the area, or RVers can stay at the RV campground within the fairgrounds (enter through Gate B for pass and directions)
Purchase Tickets or Make RV Reservations on their
This sounds like a ton of fun!
That looks like a lot fun for the whole family. I’ll have to check that out if I ever go up to North Dakota.
This looks like such an adventure. Kind of want to drag my friends to this now!!
This festival looks like such a fun time. I didn’t realize North Dakota had a Scandinavian population or a festival. Hopefully one day I will make it up that way.
Doesn’t it? I didn’t either, but now I can’t wait to go!
I used to live in South Dakota and my in-laws are still there. This looks like so much fun — I’d love to attend this festival!
I have never been to North Dakota….what a gorgeous state! My husband and I are planning an epic road trip once we get all four kids in college…and it’s on my list now!
I love road trips! We try and take a 30-day road trip every summer!