SATURDAY
June 17, 2023
MIDNIGHT SUN BREAKFAST
served by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver, WA
7am - 11am, Exhibit Hall
Buffet: Norwegian Jarlsberg egg cake, Finnish Pyttipannu (Scandinavian pan-fried scramble of potato, onions, sausage & egg), Cardamom Coffee Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream,, Norwegian Rommegrot (sour cream porridge/pudding with cinnamon and sugar), Lefse (fresh off the griddle), Scandinavian cheese, Shrimp and salmon lox, Fresh assorted breads, Fruit, Fresh baked Danish pastry, Coffee, OJ, water. $15.00 (Kids 6 and under: $6)
(Menus are subject to change depending on ingredient availability in June.)
RUNNING OF THE TROLLS
8:30am
Walluski area by Clatsop County Fairgrounds
Join us for a walk or run in the beautiful Walluski countryside. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association Scholarship Fund. Registration is available online or at the festival. Check-in is from 7-8am on Saturday in the Main Entry Hall. The Race begins at 8:30am.
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BOOTHS
9am - 6:30pm, Arena
Visit the midsummer vendors to find specialty Scandinavian items and handcrafted treasures. Many booths offer Scandinavian food items for your dining and snacking pleasure.
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RAFFLE TICKETS
9am - 7pm
Be sure to buy raffle tickets for fine prizes donated by the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association and festival vendors.
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ICELANDIC HORSES
9am - 4pm, Horse Arena
Jackie and Larry Taylor of Yelm, Washington will show their Icelandic horses in the horse arena next to the Midsummer Pole.
ENTERTAINMENT
9am - 4:45pm, Arena
1:15pm - 6:30pm, Exhibit Hall
There will be live Scandinavian themed entertainment and dancing on arena and exhibit hall stages throughout most of the day. Pick up a festival program at the admission table or view one of the posted schedules to find your favorite band, singer, or dance troupe.
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EMPIRE OF CHIVALRY AND STEEL VIKING ENCAMPMENT
10am – 6pm, Outdoors
The Empire of Chivalry and Steel will hold an open house in their Viking encampment outdoors south of the Arena. Costumed reenactors will demonstrate crafts, tournaments, armor making, and combat arts from the culture of the Middle Ages.
BEER GARDEN
11am - 11pm
Adult beverages and a limited menu of snacks will be offered. Your host is the Astor Street Opry that will also provide 30 minutes of live entertainment every hour starting at 1pm.
BARNEFEST
11am - 5pm, Arena (Saturday Only)
Young festival attendees can participate in children’s activities in the Barnefest area. Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.
OPTOG - FESTIVAL PARADE
11:30am, festival grounds
Miss Scandinavia and her court, costumed dancers and entertainers, representatives from the Scandinavian lodges, and family groups will parade through the arena and festival grounds to the outdoor stage for the Flag Raising and Midsummer Pole ceremony. The Grand Marshal will be named soon.
FLAG RAISING
12pm, Midsummer Pole
Come and hear the national songs of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden while Miss Scandinavia and her court assist in the pageantry of the raising of the flags of these Scandinavian countries. (In case of rain, flag raising will be moved to the Exhibit Hall.)
MIDSUMMER POLE RAISING & DANCING
12:30pm (Approx.) Midsummer Pole
Watch local men and sturdy women (and volunteers!) skillfully raise the Midsummer Pole. The Polka Dots will play live music for dancing around the Midsummer Pole led by Christine Smith and the VASA Youth Group Swedish Dancers. All are welcome to join in!
TUG OF WAR
1pm, Outdoors by Midsummer Pole
Teams of eight will vie to be champion. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver.
KUBB EXHIBITION AND TOURNAMENT
1:30pm - 3:30 pm, in front of the Midsummer Pole
Kubb is a yard game of Scandinavian origins which has been played for about 1,000 years. No prior skills are required. Join Dave Alford and friends to play Kubb by the Midsummer Pole. All are welcome.
PARADE OF NATIONAL FOLK WEAR and AUTHENTIC SWEATERS
5pm, Exhibit Hall
Are you curious about the lovely costumes worn by representatives of the Scandinavian countries? Come and see and hear them explained in a fashion show with live models. Are you wearing an authentic Nordic sweater? Come and join in.
VIKING DINNER
served by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver, WA
4pm - 7pm, Exhibit Hall
Buffet: Danish pork roast in mushroom sauce, Beef and Green Cabbage in Nordic Spices, Swedish Meatballs in Brown Cream Gravy, Medister Polse (Norwegian Pork Sausage), Braised Red Cabbage, Janneson’s Temptation (a traditional Swedish casserole made of potatoes, onions, pickled sprats, bread crumbs and cream), Garden Salad, Danish Smørrebrød (Open-Faced Sandwiches), Shrimp and Herring Salad , Nordic Cheeses, Fresh Baked Bread and Crisps, Cream Filled Pastry Shells drizzled in Dark Chocolate, Cookies and Pastries, Soda, Coffee & Bottled Water. $19.00 (Kids 6 and under: $8)
(Menu is subject to change depending on ingredient availability in June.)
MEATBALL EATING CONTEST
6pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Swedish meatballs can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win a prize. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.
ÆBLESKIVER EATING CONTEST
6pm, Exhibit Hall
How many Æbleskiver (Danish donuts) can you eat in five minutes with your hands behind your back? The champion will win an Æbleskiver’s pan and recipe. Participants must be in good health and sign a waiver. 18 or older.

Saturday, June 17
7:30pm (Doors: 7:00pm)
First five rows: $40
Rows F-P: $30
General Admission: $20
The Coats
The Pacific Northwest's Premier A Cappella Vocal & Comedy Group
Nationally touring artists, The Coats are the Pacific Northwest's premiere a cappella vocal group consisting of four male voices. They have performed for benefits, non-profits, corporate clients, schools, colleges, fairs, and community centers across the country.
Their intensely arranged yet hilarious, interactive performance blends music and comedy so seemlessly that there is no event, stage, or function of any size that they won't be left stunned and wondering, "how did all of that come out of only four guys?!"
The Coats have previously performed at the Liberty Theater in Astoria and are pleased to make their first appearance at the 2023 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, especially since they all share Scandinavian heritage. This vocal group located in Puyallup, Washington, includes Doug, Keith, Jamie, and Kerry who are all 50% Norwegian.
The Coats will perform at 7:30 on Saturday, June 17. Doors open at 7pm. A separate ticket is required for this event. Advance tickets are on sale at the Liberty Theater Box Office.
Click here to purchase tickets online.
Friday Details!
Friday, the festival kicks off with vendors, food and live entertainment. Friday’s major evening events include Queen's Coronation, a Bonfire with Hex burning, and a public dance.
Sunday Details!
Sunday’s activities include a Pannukakku Breakfast, non-denominational church service, shopping, food, and live entertainment. Festival concludes with the closing ceremonies.


3-day Wristband - Adult $10
3-day Wristband - Children (6-12 yrs.) $4
(5 and under free)

Clatsop County Fairgrounds
$5 for the weekend
No Pets Allowed
Only verifiable registered service animals will be permitted