| DATE 04/22/2004 2:21 AM |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89. Scandinavian Festival a Celebration of History, Heritage |
| History, heritage, fun and food will be the main attractions at the annual Scandinavian Heritage Festival and Conference May 27-29 in Ephraim. The popular event attracts thousands of people to Sanpete County every year, many of whom travel along U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.The festival is an opportunity for people to learn about the influence of Scandinavians in Utah, says June Crane, an Ephraim resident and descendant of a Danish pioneer. Sanpete County s culture has been greatly influenced by settlers who arrived first in the Salt Lake Valley from the Scandinavian countries and then were assigned to colonize central Utah. Many were farmers, carpenters, stone masons, cabinetmakers and furniture builders. The architecture of their farm buildings, cabins and houses were influenced by construction techniques and building forms from back home, a uniqueness that is still present today.
The festival is also an opportunity to experience art and culture and authentic cuisine, Crane says. Highlights include a Scandinavian history conference at Snow College (see related story), booths, displays, food vendors, a 5K run, softball tournament, and activities such as rock climbing and pony rides. Display booths will line College Avenue (100 North) between 100 and 300 East starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 28 through 6 p.m. Saturday. There will be “Old World Craft Booths,” which are educational exhibits of crafts dating back to Ephraim’s Scandinavian ancestors. This includes blacksmithing, woodcarving, pottery making, rug weaving, bobbin lace making and more. There will be demonstrations of Old World crafts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. There will also be contemporary craft booths featuring items such as rustic birdhouses, crocheted items, quilts, fabric bags, artwork, jewelry, T-shirts, yo-yo balloons, aromatherapy products, candles and wood yard art. “Many of the Old World Craft and craft booth people tell me that this is their favorite festival,” says Crane, who has helped line up the booths for years. “They love coming to Ephraim, and they enjoy the friendly atmosphere of this community.” Other highlights include a bread baking contest, with entries accepted from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Ephraim Senior Citizen’s Center. Participants can enter in one or all of the four categories: white, wheat, sourdough/French or variety/specialty. There will also be a children’s troll parade, clown shows and a Scandinavian Storytelling Festival, which will feature talks on stories of Hans Christian Andersen and other storytellers. The storytelling begins Saturday at noon. There will also be numerous opportunities to sample heritage cooking, including the “Little Denmark Supper” on Friday night, the traditional smorgasbord buffet on Saturday and the Food Fair in front of the Science Building on Snow Campus on Friday and Saturday that will feature traditional Western foods with a Scandinavian flair. Scandinavian Festival and Conference – Schedule of Events Thursday, May 27 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scandinavian Heritage Conference Founders Hall, Snow College Friday, May 28 Entertainment Throughout the Day, Snow College Lawn 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Scandinavian Heritage Conference Founders Hall, Snow College 12 p.m. Craft Booths and Food Booths, Snow College 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Bread Baking Contest Senior Citizens Center 5 p.m. Little Denmark Supper Greenwood Center – Snow College Saturday, May 29 Entertainment all day, Main Street, Snow College Lawn 7 a.m. 5-K Registration, Ephraim Co-op 8 a.m. 5-K Run, Ephraim Co-op Lions Club Scandinavian Breakfast, Snow College 9 a.m. Old World, Craft and Food Booths Open, Snow College Art Displays, Central Utah Art Center 10 a.m. Quilt Expo, Ephraim Co-op Upper Floor 11 a.m. Scandinavian Parade Ephraim City Library fundraiser, City Library 11:30 a.m. Dedication of new Ephraim City Building 12 p.m. Noyes Building Tours, Steps of Noyes Building – Snow College Ugly Troll Contest, Snow College Family History Center, open 12- 4 p.m. Smorgasbord Lunch, Greenwood Center Storytelling Festival, Greenwood Center Willie the Clown, Snow College Lawn 1 p.m. Historical Bus Tours, 1st North and 1st East (every hour until 3 p.m.) Horseshoe Tournament, Snow College Sports Complex (300 North) 5 p.m. Sage Brush Square Dancers Monday, May 31 Memorial Day Service, Ephraim City Cemetery |
| For more information Contact:Monte Bona Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council (435) 462-2502 |
