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Look at your heritage. Now look at my Scandinavian heritage. Now look again at your heritage. Sadly, if your heritage is not Scandinavian, like mine, you may think that Ephraim’s annual Scandinavian Heritage Festival is not for you. But this year’s Scandinavian Heritage Festival gives everyone a chance to be "Scandinavian for a Day," which is the theme of this year’s festival.
The festival has something for everyone, regardless of age, ancestry or personal interests. My family, including several children and grandchildren, found every aspect of the festival captivating. Rides and games for kids, educational and entertaining lectures for adults, athletic events for the strong, baking contests for the skilled, quilting displays and storytelling for everyone, tours, parades and more. You don’t have to go far or look hard for something of interest. The hard part is trying to fit it all in.
As we wandered through the craft fair, I challenged everyone to see how many things they could find that they had never seen before or never imagined. We quickly lost interest in this game because there are so many unique things to see. Local entertainment ranges from amateur to professional but is all entertaining.
The authenticity of the costumes, weapons, tools, equipment and other paraphernalia make the Pioneer Heritage Company’s pioneer village seem like you have stepped back in time. The "pioneers" at the village not only explain what pioneer life was like, they involve participants in rug making, handcart pulling, muzzle loader shooting, weaving, carpentry, beekeeping, pioneer games and even helping in the kitchen.
Held over the Memorial Day weekend each year, this year’s festival is taking place through Saturday, May 28, on the grounds of Snow College and other locations throughout Ephraim. Finding the festival is easy. Take U.S. 89 into Ephraim, turn east on 100 North, then follow the smell of barbecue and the sounds of a wide variety of entertainment, storytelling and other activities until you find the festival. Parking is abundant, and most of the activities are conveniently located close together.
Although the festival has been going for two days, most events take place on Saturday, so there is still time to pack up the family and spend the day doing something you’ll never forget. When you see this year how much there is to enjoy, you’ll want to mark out Memorial Day weekend next year so you can be Scandinavian for a whole weekend, not just for a day.
For more information about the Scandinavian Heritage Festival, visit http://www.scandinavianheritagefestival.com/
Two of Reed Farnsworth's great-grandparents were among the early settlers of Sanpete County, moving to Spring City from Denmark after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1800s.
