Official 2018 Court Photographs

We’ve just added this year’s Official Scandinavian Midsummer Festival court photos, taken by the talented Lisa Lamping! You can view all of these, and learn more about each of these young ladies on our 2018 Court page. Click here.

Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

6 days ago

Have you checked out our website lately? It has all the updates for 2021.
www.AstoriaScanFest.org ... See MoreSee Less

www.astoriascanfest.org

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Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

1 week ago

Here’s a feel good story about Bob Swenson whose great-uncle Ragnar was a Swedish immigrant who helped build the Astor Column. Bob is a member of VASA Swedish Lodge and helps every year to make pea soup for the festival!

www.dailyastorian.com/opinion/columns/writers-notebook-a-flower-for-someone/article_5cb6e4d2-9323... ... See MoreSee Less

Writer's Notebook: A flower for someone

www.dailyastorian.com

Bob Swenson has lived on Dow Lane in Youngs River for around 45 years. He’s been making peoples’ day for nearly as long.

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Thanks for the beautiful daffodils for Bethany Church !

Such a great man ❤️❤️❤️

Diane Longfellow.....check out this post! Wonderful!!!

Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

1 week ago

Members of the 2021 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Court presented to the Lower Columbia Danish Society by Zoom last night. Traditions continue and a new Miss Scandinavia will be crowned June 18 via Livestream. ... See MoreSee Less

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Thank You, Lower Columbia Danish Society! Go Danes! The 2021 court did a great job!

Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

1 week ago

Family and preserving heritage are what the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is all about. In the photos are three generations wearing the same Danish native wear. Junior Miss Denmark 2021 Salome, her mother Junior Miss Denmark 1999 Jodi, her grandmother Junior Miss Denmark 1975 Sonja, and her aunt Junior Miss Denmark 1996 Jessi. Quite amazing! Coronation for the 2021 Midsummer Festival Court will take place online on Friday, June 18. Stay tuned for details! ... See MoreSee Less

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So adorable. Love the heritage!!

How beautiful is this? So special! Congrats!

How do they keep that white hat crisp and clean?!?

Congrats Junior Miss Denmark 🇩🇰

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Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

1 week ago

LORAN MATHEWS NAMED GRAND MARSHAL
OF SCANDINAVIAN FESTIVAL OPTOG PARADE

March 31, 2021, Astoria, OR - The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association has named Loran Mathews of Astoria as Grand Marshal for the 2021 Midsummer Festival Optog Parade. Because of the unresolved pandemic situation, this year’s Optog Parade will be a drive-by event held on Marine Drive in front of the Maritime Museum between 11 AM and 12 PM on Saturday, June 19.

Despite not being of Nordic heritage, Mathew’s involvement in the Midsummer Festival spans fifty years since 1972 when Ella Simonsen asked him to chair the parade committee. The next year Mathews became chairman of the festival and has since served as chair or co-chair many times and also as budget officer, logistics chair, downtown flags and signs chair, and is currently president of the non-profit Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association.

Mathews is originally from Newton, Kansas, but arrived in Astoria in 1958 when he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He met Astoria native Corleen Johnson in 1959 and they married in 1963. Corleen shares her Norwegian heritage with Loran and he has been “Norwegian by marriage” for fifty-eight years now. Mathews enjoys the cultural aspects of the Midsummer Festival, its family orientation, and the opportunity to get together with friends. Mathews’ efforts over the years have helped ensure that the festival continues in an authentic style with an orientation towards family.

Loran and Corleen Mathews have two children who reside on the North Coast – Tara Johnson and Wade Mathews, and four grandchildren. Mathews is retired Director of Support Services for the Astoria School District and a former Astoria City Councilor. He currently serves on the City Budget Committee and as Treasurer for the Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce. He’s a motorman for the Astoria Trolley when it’s running and a member of the Sons of Norway lodge. Corleen was recently honored for her volunteer service to the community as a 2021 George Recipient by the Astoria/Warrenton Chamber of Commerce.

The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association will not hold an in-person festival in 2021 but there will be many virtual and drive-by events. Check the website www.AstoriaScanFest.org for details. ... See MoreSee Less