Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Oregon

10/16/2026

Heritage!

10/15/2026

Laksloda this weekend at Suomi Hall! October 17.

I don’t know how we got to mid-October so quickly, but here we are and it’s time for laksloda at Suomi Hall, Finnish Brotherhood Lodge #2.

Laksloda is a salmon potato casserole that was a very common dish since you can use salmon ‘scraps’ and/or salt salmon or smoked salmon. The other basic ingredients include potatoes, onions, milk/cream…..so simple, easy and (used to be) economical in our area abundant with salmon. Correctly spelled laxlåda in Swedish or lohiloota / lohilaatikko in Finnish. I think laksloda is one of those Finglish words that just became the norm here.

Get your annual laksloda fix this Saturday, Oct. 17th 11:30-1:30

10/11/2026

Heritage Story!

From the October Nordic Park e-newsletter:
Heritage Story - Hartvigson Part 1

Lindy and Pehr Hartvigson and their son Reid moved to Astoria in 2019 when Pehr got a job at the Columbia Memorial Hospital Cancer Center. They were delighted to discover a community where their interest in their Nordic heritage was encouraged and could be expanded. The first step was Lindy joining the Lower Columbia Danish Society and then the family working in the society’s booth at Astoria’s Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. Reid joined the Nordic Viking Dancers and has experienced six Midsummer Festivals already. In 2024 Lindy served as festival court chaperone and after that experience she joined the princess committee. Reid was invited to be crown bearer for the Midsummer Court in 2026 and enjoyed all the activities associated with representing the Midsummer Festival in the community. Pehr and Reid are also regulars at Nordic Park cleanup days and the family’s involvement in all Nordic activities is appreciated.

To be continued...

09/22/2026

✨ SANKTA LUCIA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ✨
Join us for a beautiful evening of Nordic tradition and holiday celebration at the Sankta Lucia Festival of Lights, Friday, November 27th, at 7:00 PM in the Astoria High School Auditorium.
Leading the processional will be our 2026 Lucia Bride, Sophie Saarheim, as we celebrate the beloved Swedish tradition of Sankta Lucia.
🎶 The Nordic Youth Choir will fill the auditorium with song, and the Nordic Viking Scandia Dancers will share their lively performance. The refreshments will be served by Vasa - Astor Lodge #215.
🎟️ Admission is $1 per person or $5 per family, with proceeds benefiting the Astoria Scandinavian Scholarship Fund.
Bring your family and friends and join us for this special evening of light, music, dance, and Nordic tradition.
This event is open to the public — everyone is welcome! 🕯️❤️

Photo courtesy of Chris Kryzanek Chris Kryzanek Photography

09/19/2026

Today, Saturday, September 19 - support Suomi Hall and have fun and eat prune tarts!

TODAY'S the day for the Suomi Hall Flea Market. Admission is FREE.
Saturday, September 19, 10 AM to 3 PM
Soup and sandwich lunch and baked prune tarts and pie available 11 AM to 2 PM or until they run out.
244 West Marine Drive, Astoria, Oregon
Proceeds benefit the Suomi Hall Restoration Fund.

09/19/2026

Save the date and help if you can! Huge thanks to our Rotary partners.

09/17/2026

🇩🇰🇫🇮🇮🇸🇳🇴🇸🇪2027 POSTER DESIGN CONTEST 🎨
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 15, 2026
The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association (ASMFA) announces the first Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival (ASMF) Poster Art Contest, celebrating the rich Nordic culture of the Lower Columbia Region and a traditional midsummer festival that began in 1968.
SELECTION PROCESS: Through the jury process, the winning entry will be selected to represent the ASMF on the poster and in publicity and promotional materials for the event. Judging will be based on the best depiction of the ASMF and a format that can be easily and clearly shared in various media.
AWARD: The 2027 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Poster Contest winner will receive a cash prize of $600, 2 entry tickets and a parking pass for the 2027 Festival, and a framed copy of the poster/artwork.
Winning entry may be used on advertising, promotional items and other merchandise as well. ASMF merchandise will be sold exclusively by ASMFA.
IMPORTANT DATES:
October 15, 2026 Submission Deadline
November 27, 2026 Winner announced
June 18–20, 2027 Dates of Festival
POSTER CONTEST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
The art must depict or relate to the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival and commemorate the 60th festival.
The poster must include the following information:
(Date) June 18-20,2027
Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
(Website) astoriascanfest.com
Artists 18 and older are invited to participate.
Entrants must reside in the United States.
Only original work by the entrant will be accepted. Use of clip art or inclusion of elements of or reference to work(s) by other artist(s) will disqualify the entry.
AI-generated images are not permitted.
Art may not include the photo likeness of any identifiable person(s).
All media that may be printed as a poster are acceptable. If the creation is dimensional, you must submit a high-resolution photo of the piece in the size noted below.
One entry per artist will be accepted.
ASMFA may add logos and information pertaining to the festival for promotional purposes.
Artwork must be vertical and will be available as a PDF to be printed as 8.5” x 11” and 11” x 17” and 15”x23” vertical images. The original piece must be sized to transfer to those dimensions. It may be used on merchandise, as well. Files must be submitted in JPEG, JPG, or PDF (preferred) format at 300 dpi or higher. The artist, by signing the entry form, assigns to ASMFA the rights to the artwork for promotion of the ASMF. This includes ASMFA to use the art by posting it online, on their websites and on social media, and printing the art for use in ASMF related promotions. Entry in the contest constitutes full permission to publish names of winners without further compensation. The determination of eligibility of entries and any interpretation of these rules is at the sole discretion of the ASMFA and shall be final and binding upon all entrants. The winning artist retains ownership of the original artwork. ASMFA retains the exclusive right to the sale of items bearing that art. The winning artist can, at their discretion, sell the original art minus the ASMFA/ASMF name and/or logo after July 1, 2027. Artist irrevocably assigns to ASMFA, by submitting and signing the entry form, exclusive copyright, trademark, licensing, marketing, distribution, reproduction, and registration rights to the ASMF artwork for any and all purposes and uses. ASMFA reserves the right to reject any and all entries; and to request reasonable, minor design modifications from the proposed winner.
RIGHTS: By participating in the contest, you agree that after submission, your entry will become the property of ASMFA and may be used for promotional purposes, shared on ASMF social media accounts, and/or included in announcements and press releases. Except as used by the ASHA and its entities, all artists, including the winner, will retain the rights to their work. The winning artist is not to use their design for their own promotions until after the ASMF closing date of June 21, 2027. By participating, the entrant agrees to abide by and be bound by these rules. All artists must complete the submission form and include an artist bio and artist statement for their piece. Each must be under 200 words.
QUESTIONS? Please contact the ASMFA at [email protected]

09/15/2026

Heritage Chapter Three

Heritage Story: Dirk and Pirjo Schulbach, Part 3

Dirk and Pirjo funded many donor plaques in the Nordic Park and like the whole idea of the park. It represents all Nordic countries and shows how the community came together to make it happen. They feel the Nordic Park was a very successful volunteer effort and they are proud to be part of it. Like many others, Pirjo likes seeing the Gateway Arch at night and the other lights in the park. Both enjoy the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival too. They like eating prune tarts and seeing kids dancing in folk costume. Pirjo would be very disappointed if she missed the hex burning on Friday evening like accidentally happened one year.

Pirjo and Dirk attend the Finnish American Folk Festival in Naselle when it happens. They visit Astoria often and remark that despite the recent changes in Astoria, the nature of the town stays the same, it’s just a bit more upscale. They like the community feeling of Astoria and that it’s less formal and less commercial than Portland. They LOVE shopping at Finn Ware, dining at the fish restaurants, and inhaling the cool fresh air off the river and ocean.

The Schulbachs say there is great power when volunteers work together and it is something to be proud of and Astoria Nordic Heritage Park is a perfect example of this. “This is who we are.”

Thank you, Dirk and Pirjo, for supporting the Nordic Park and being part of Astoria's Nordic community. We appreciate you.

09/12/2026

Heritage Chapter Two!