ABBAMANIA Northwest Arena
The Scandinavian Folk Festival at the Northwest Arena will continue Saturday July 20 from 10 AM to 7 PM and on Sunday July 21 from 10 AM to 4 PM. This is the opportunity to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Jamestown area’s cultural heritage.
Ethnic foods will be featured. Choices include Swedish meatball dinners and other options served by 3Cs Catering, Swedish waffles and varmkorv (Swedish hot dog with choice of mashed potatoes) by Hot Spot Café and Norm’s world famous korv burgers sponsored by the American Scandinavian Heritage Foundation and served by the Allen Park Women’s Club. Don’t forget the lingonberry drink and Danish Carlsberg beer. Oh, and all the pickled herring you can eat.
Besides ABBAMANIA, the sounds of Sweden will be presented by Smorgasbandet from Long Island on accordions and drums, Svenska Spelman from Chautauqua County on fiddles, nyckelharpa, guitar, banjo and accordion. In addition DemBones will be blasting out music on their trombones, The Thule Adult and Children's Folk Dance Teams will be demonstrating traditional dances..
On Saturday morning, July 20 at 10 AM begin your midsummer celebration by making your own colorful head wreath and by putting flowers from your garden onto the 21 foot tall midsummer pole. Participate in the procession of the pole with the Festival’s musicians and watch it being erected on the corner of Lafayette and W. 3rd St. Then, it is time to join in with traditional ring dances in the street.
Several vendors will be exhibiting their products in the Northwest Arena. Be sure to check out the Festival’s gift shop for unique local inspired t-shirts and many imported, new and flea market items.
A series of educational and fun lectures will occur both days. Bring your musical instrument and attend one of Smorgasbandet’s learn-a-tune workshops. Observe crafters at work and begin to learn some new skills. Want to learn how to play the Viking chess style game called Hnefatafl using our hand carved game pieces?
The family activity center offers crafts for people of all ages but with a focus on children. Listen to a Swedish book being read during storytime.
The gate fee for just the Festival is $8 each day, and free for kids up to 12. The ticket for the ABBAMANIA concert is a Festival special of only $25. A combination Festival ticket for Saturday, July 20 as well as the ABBAMANIA performance is $30. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
As details and schedules for Festival events are established, they will be posted on the Festival web site www.scandinavianjamestown.org or by calling 716-665-0883. BEHOLD SCANDINAVIA