Enjoy traditional Swedish music, group folk dancing, hands-on activities, arts, crafts, and vendor fair, demonstrations by artists, and, in the center of it all, the Majstång/Midsommarstång (May/Midsummer Pole), freshly decorated with spring greenery.

This year we have new special features during the morning from 10:00-12:00:

– In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre – do a make-and-take floral crown project that celebrates summer, flowers, and Midsommardagen. (This make-and-take activity is available until supplies run out.) Try on large masks from In the Heart of the Beast and take your photo in them. See four large, puppets dressed as birds or with a summer theme roaming the museum grounds.

– COMPAS Teaching Artist Anne McFaul Reid – make a beautiful paper flower with Anne. This make-and-take activity is available until supplies run out.

– Children’s Passport to Midsommardagen – have your photo taken in one of the children’s costumes and place it in your “Midsommardagen Passport.” Travel to different activities throughout the museum grounds and buildings to have your passport stamped.

Enjoy a picnic lunch with the wide array of food offered for sale at the museum. Bring a chair and a blanket to enjoy your picnic on the museum grounds. Note that alcohol is not allowed on museum property.

Menu: 

Schedule of Events:

Historic Buildings Open to the Public: 10:00-1:00 and 3:00-4:00

Artists, Crafters, and Vendors Fair: 10:00-4:00

Demonstrations by Artists: 10:00-4:00
– Copper Pipe Cuff Making – Cynthia DeMar Arts (as time permits)
– Tintype Photography – Eric Nelson/Buckthorn Studios
– Weaving on the Museum’s Floor Loom – Lisa-Anne Bauch – Scandinavian Weavers Study  Group
– Wood Carving – Ron Nelson/Flat Plane Figurative Carvings

Butik (Gammelgården’s Gift Shop) Open: 10:00-4:00

Hands-on Activities for People of All Ages: 10:00-12:30
– Make a Paper Flower with COMPAS Teaching Artist Anne McFaul Reid (until supplies run out)
– Do a make-and-take mask project that celebrates summer, flowers, and Midsommardagen with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (until supplies run out)
– Make a Fresh-Flower Head Wreath (until supplies run out)
– Make a Mini-Majstång/Midsommarstång (until supplies run out)
– Swedish Coloring Sheets
– Summer Scavenger Hunt. Print the scavenger hunt sheet from Gammelgården’s website and bring it to the front desk in the Welcome House (the big red building) to receive a free children’s book about Midsommar.
– Temporary Tattoos

See ArtReach’s Mobile Art Gallery: 10:00-4:00

Music by the Scandia Community Band: 12:15-1:00

Raising of the Majstång/Midsommarstång, May/Midsummer Pole: 1:00
– Folk Music by the ASI Cloudberries (Women’s Chorus Based out of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota)
– Folk Dancing by the Vasa Junior Folk Dancers (Children Ages 3-18 Years Old who Preserve Swedish Dance, Traditions, and Heritage; and Share Swedish Culture with the Community)

** Although Midsommardagen is a free event, it is helpful for Gammelgården to know how many people plan to attend. RSVP on Eventbrite. Again, there is no charge to do this or attend Midsommardagen. **

NOTE: Midsommardagen will be held rain or shine. If there is a thunderstorm, the program will be held indoors at Elim Lutheran Church at 20971 Olinda Trail North. Elim is within a short walking distance from Gammelgården. 

Watch the museum’s Facebook page or call the museum at 651-433-5053 for more information.