Summer seems to have arrived. Finally.

For the second year in a row Heather and I descended upon Astoria, Oregon for the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival.

There’s a beer garden, Scandinavian food, and vendors! Also Viking re-enactors and music, dance, and games for the kiddies.

It’s quite a weekend in Portland. And Astoria too!

It’s a road trip weekend for Heather and me. We’re off to Astoria for one one of our favorite festivals.

May Seventeenth, “Syttende Mai” (set-na-my), is Norway’s most important holiday. On this date in 1814, with the signing of the Norwegian Constitution, Norway was declared an independent country.

The approaching weekend took me by surprise. There are as many worthwhile events as on some of the busiest summer weekends.

Come for the Scandinavian food, crafts, and the 54th crowning of Oregon’s Lucia Queen of Light. Stay for the Pickled Herring Eating Contest!

Of course the North American Organic Brewers Festival will be at Overlook Park all weekend long. I’m heading up there immediately after work on Friday – it’s my favorite summer beer festival. Saturday celebrate the summer solstice (a week late) at the 81st annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival with the Scandinavian Heritage Foundation and The League [...]

Heather and I spent last weekend in Astoria. We wanted to check out the 2009 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, and both of us just happen to adore Astoria. As usual, Heather has posted an amusing account of our fantastic trip, with photos and videos, at her blog: Tank Full Of Gas, Chapter 16: Astoria Midsummer [...]