The International Festival had sunny weather for its late June event that included many influences from Norden, such as a Midsummer pole, Nordic crafts for kids, stories about trolls, Kubb, a program of Norwegian traditional dance, and favorite foods of the Scandinavian countries. Many ethnic groups presented their cultures through music and dance, crafts, flags, foods, world games and storytelling. Held at Heritage Park, guests could also visit the many historic buildings at the site.

The two-day festival included dancers representing the African diaspora. Arlen Whitebreast, a Meskwaki dancer, discussed the respect Native Americans have for all living things and invited audience members to join him on stage to learn some steps in the grass dance. A well known member of the Black Storytellers Alliance in the Twin Cities, Nothando Zulu, was featured both days and shared stories for children and adults; Kris Meyer presented on Norway’s storytelling tradition, and Tim Bascom told stories about Ethiopia.

Visitors could enjoy: Malek’s Fishermen Band featuring polka music just right for dancing in the fresh summer weather; World Port, an Emmy-winning musical group based in Des Moines, IA which performed music incorporating many world influences; and Nordic and Celtic songs by Ross Sutter of the Twin Cities. Guests could learn to play cricket and Scottish Highland Games or enjoy the continuous food demonstrations and tastings.

The children’s activity tent was decked out with five Nordic flags, festive animal masks and flowers hanging from trees and tent poles. It was filled with crafts based on culture to include flower wreaths, Dala horse puppets, bookmaking, julgranskaramel (not exactly in season but enjoyed by all), troll masks, coloring and stamping pages or Midsummer flower making.

To close the festival, guests paraded through the grounds to the tune of Gjärdebylåten. They wound their way through Heritage Park as they followed Ross Sutter on the button-box accordion to the Midsummer pole, saying good bye until next year.