Spotlight Articles
Each month, the SCA eUPDATE "spotlights" an affiliated organization. These organizations represent the diversity of Swedish America across North America and Sweden. The organizations that have been spotlighted to date are listed in the sidebar menu.
Spotlight on Lindsborg, Kansas, Chamber of Commerce
Scandinavians celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of light, with a festival of flowers, food and music. So does Lindsborg! Originally a festival with many customs and rituals associated with nature, Midsummer's Festival is a marvelous family event to interest people of all ages.
Lindsborg was first settled in 1869 by 125 Swedish immigrant pioneers, initially from Sunnemo and the surrounding parishes of Värmland Province in Sweden. The first Lindsborg Swedes came to America, framtidslandet, their land of the future with strict adherence to the Lutheran faith, an abiding love of music and a determination to preserve their heritage. Over 140 years later, Lindsborg honors that resolve with a myriad of Swedish celebrations and festivals throughout the year.
Held every year on the third Saturday in June, Midsummer's entertainment circulates continuously throughout the day. With live Scandinavian music performances and dancing by the Lindsborg Swedish dancers and Folkdanslag, there are always opportunities to join in and dance along. Celebratory observations include Kubb (1,000-year-old Viking game) competitions, children's activities, Scandinavian foods to sample, the weaving of blomkrans (flower crowns), ethnic crafts and creating midsommarstång garlands to festoon the pole. Towards evening the traditional raising of the midsommarstång is accompanied by Swedish dancing and music. On Sunday, a vespers service in Swedish is held at the Bethany Lutheran Church.
Contact the Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau for more information regarding the Midsummer's Festival and for all your travel planning. Call (785) 227-TOUR (8687) or (888) 227-2227, e-mail cvbdir@lindsborgcity.org, or visit VisitLindsborg.com. If you are in Lindsborg, please stop by for all travel information. See you in the 'Borg!
Submitted by Carla Wilson
June 2010
