SWEA – a Swedish women’s organization and Vasa - a Swedish-American organization

We would like to thank all our visitors to last year’s fair for helping us make it such a spectacular event. Approximately 2500 adults and children enjoyed the exhibits, entertainment, food and huge array of sales items from Scandinavia. We truly appreciate our generous sponsors and the wonderful vendors with all their wares from all over Scandinavia. The cultural displays were really cherished, and there was a steady stream of people visiting throughout the day. It was a pleasure to see so many Scandinavians and Scandinavian-Americans pulling together to arrange the Julmarknad (Christmas Fair in Swedish), manning the booths, cooking and serving food and coffee and entertaining our guests with dancing, singing and showing off all the beautiful costumes. It got crowded at times, but that’s part of the experience and everybody was having a great time.

This year, the Scandinavian Christmas Fair promises to be even better as the word is spreading around the area about this event. The date is set for December 5th from 10am to 6 pm. Just as last year, the event will take place in the Holshouser Building at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds

The Scandinavian Christmas Fair is an authentic celebration of the traditions of the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. This old-world celebration is certain to get you in the spirit of the season.
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the Julmarknad, which attracts people from Scandinavia and of Scandinavian descent from all over the east coast as well as many Americans that have made this an annual tradition.

The Julmarknad always features a variety of homemade foods, such as Swedish meatballs, salmon and pea soup. Be sure to visit the “Coffee Corner” for coffee and wonderful home baked pastries. Talented artisans and vendors offer everything from knives and quilts to crystal pieces, jewelry, homemade bread, Christmas decorations and more!

There will be something on stage the entire day. Performers from the local Scandinavian community will be showing traditional folk dances and playing folk music. There will even be a “fashion show” featuring the beautiful folk costumes of the Scandinavian countries. For many families, the highpoint is the Lucia procession. This singing procession of boys and girls celebrating the season of light is a very memorable experience and not to be missed.

There are also cultural exhibits and children’s activities such as storytelling. If the kids have been good this year, “tomten” (Santa Claus) will visit! Children will also take part
in the traditional dance around the Christmas tree.

Several local Scandinavian organizations are represented at the fair, and there are always plenty of opportunities to learn a little more about the people and customs of
the Scandinavian countries. You might even pick up a few words in a local tongue and develop a taste for that traditional herring!

The Scandinavian Christmas Fair is sponsored by SWEA – a Swedish women’s organization and Vasa - a Swedish-American organization. The proceeds of this event
go towards scholarships and to support local Swedish initiatives.
Entrance is $6 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

For more information please send us an e-mail at info@scanfair.org

See you there!