The reigning Miss Scandinavia 2023 is Molly Oien Lindstrom, a senior at Astoria High School. She enjoys all aspects of the Midsummer Festival, especially the bonfire and dancing. Participating in court activities lead Molly to research her family history and connect with her ancestors’ heritage. Molly loves museums, art, performing, and is grateful to be part of the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival community. After graduation, she will head to college to major in Musical Theatre or Public History.

Ash attends Astoria High School and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. She was Junior Miss Denmark in second grade and dances with the Nordic Viking Dancers. Ash looks forward to meeting new friends at festival events and representing her Danish heritage from her father’s side of the family. Ash has already done lots of public speaking and community service through her involvement in 4-H. She hopes to attend college to become a teacher.

2024 Senior Miss Sweden is Audrey who attends Astoria High School and is sponsored by VASA Swedish Lodge #215. Audrey was a Nordic Viking dancer for a while and has been involved in many Midsummer Festival events while volunteering with her extended family. Audrey has Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish heritage from both sides of her family and maintains contact with cousins who live in Sweden. She loves gingersnaps from the Swedish booth, aebleskivers from the Danish booth, and chimniks! Audrey has played violin for thirteen years and is looking forward to festival events to help develop her speaking skills.

Senior Miss Iceland 2024 is Maia who attends Astoria High School. She’s attended the Midsummer Festival ever since she was a child and enjoyed the Queen Coronation, the Midsummer Pole raising, and watching the dancers. Maia looks forward to serving on the court as a chance to understand her heritage better and make new friends. In addition to Icelandic heritage, Maia also has Norwegian and Swedish ancestors. Maia is active in theater in high school and plans to attend college to study psychology.

Sarah is 2024 Senior Miss Norway and she is sponsored by the Sons of Norway. Sarah attends Astoria High School and has been part of the Nordic Viking Dancers since 5th grade. Sarah helps with setting and cleaning up at the festival and in the Barnefest and raffle booths. She thinks that serving on the court will help her grow leadership skills and make new friendships. Sarah’s maternal grandmother is Norwegian and Sarah’s family makes all sorts of Scandinavian food. At school Sarah stays busy with cheerleading, theater, and Key Club and she plans to attend college to study accounting

Eleanor is 2024 Junior Miss Denmark and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. She attends school in Astoria and participated in last year’s Troll Run. Eleanor claims Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish heritage through her paternal and maternal grandparents. She takes gymnastic classes and lives in a home decorated with Scandinavian influences.

Aspen is 2024 Junior Miss Finland. She attends school in Knappa and is sponsored by the Finnish Brotherhood. Aspen attended Suomi School the last two years and looks forward to learning more about her Finnish heritage at festival events. Junior Miss Finland likes science and basketball at school and spending time with family, friends, and animals outside of school.

2024 Junior Miss Sweden is Kairina (Nerenberg) who attends Astoria schools and is sponsored by VASA Swedish Lodge #215. She’s attended the Astoria Midsummer Festival since she was a baby and dances with the Nordic Viking dancers. Kairina likes wearing the beautiful folk costumes and eating chimnik ice cream when she gets too warm. Two of her aunts and a cousin have been on the Midsummer Court and she looks forward to her turn to represent her family and her heritage. Kairina’s family knows many details of their Finnish and Swedish heritage from their great-grandparents. Kairina is involved in her church, her family, and Scandinavian activities.

Crown Bearer Thor attends Astoria schools and is sponsored by the Lower Columbia Danish Society. He loves dancing with the Nordic Viking Dancers, eating Scandinavian treats, and finding vendors with cool stuff at the Midsummer Festival. In addition to Danish, he’s also a bit Swedish.

Kathryn Lacy is the 2024 Junior Court Chaperone. She’s attended the Midsummer Festival since 2000 and her daughter was Senior Miss Denmark and the Lucia Bride in 2022. Her children danced with the Nordic Viking Dancers and she even did for a few years too. For the last two years, Kathryn has been a vendor at the festival. Kathryn claims Swedish and Danish heritage and has spent time in Scandinavia. Kathryn says, “The locals and people involved with the Midsummer Festival have given our family a great pride in who we are and where we come from. I can’t wait to be a part of the group in a new way.” Kathryn has nine children and lives on a farm in Olney with pigs, goats, sheep, cats, a puppy, and a horse.