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.

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

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 and Educators: 10:00-4:00
– 1274 Periwinkle Lane – Inkle Loom Weaving
– Cynthia DeMar Arts – Metalsmithing
– Lisa Bauch from the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group
– Washington County Master Gardeners – Milkweed, Monarchs, and Pollinators Team

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

ArtReach’s Mobile Art Gallery will be showing “Art of the Stamp.” This exhibit highlights the impactful history of the postal service and the significance of stamps as a method of global public art distribution.

Hands-on Activities for People of All Ages: 10:00-12:30
– 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

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

Raising of the Majstång/Midsommarstång, May/Midsummer Pole: 1:00
– Music and Stories by Renee Vaughan, Paul Sauey (from Ponyfolk), and Rose Arrowsmith
– 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)

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.