Nordicfest spirit continues in celebration;s 25th year

When members of a small community get together and put all their energy toward a goal, good things tend to happen.

Nordicfest planners this year had setbacks to overcome, but with the same spirit as the community members who began the tradition in 1985, they gave it their all to make Nordicfest’s silver anniversary an enjoyable, family-friendly cultural experience.

A full schedule of events begins this Friday and goes through Sunday with some of the old favorites, such as the International Fjord Horse Show, mixed with some of the new.

Nordicfest president Lisa Oedewaldt has fond memories of growing up attending and participating in the festival’s various activities. She moved away from Libby as a child, but visited her grandparents every summer.  

“When I used to come here as a kid, I would always do Logger Days and Nordicfest,” Oedewaldt said. “I always liked Nordicfest – all the different food, the parade, the entertainment. I loved watching the rock throw.”

What began as an event to stimulate the local economy blew up into a revered Libby tradition. Participation, however, has declined in recent years, and there have been questions as to who would fill the shoes of long-time board members that needed a rest.

When Oedewaldt ran into former Nordicfest president John Desch a few years ago, he mentioned his plans to retire from the post he had held since 2000.   

“He said if they couldn’t fill it, they weren’t going to have it (Nordicfest) anymore,” Oedewaldt recalled.

Board member Ally Frost, had also learned that the Nordicfest board needed more volunteers to continue on.

The fond memories of Viking ship floats in the parade and eating lutefisk were too strong for Oedewaldt and Frost to let Nordicfest slip away. So they joined the board, which was made mostly of long-serving volunteers.

Frost enjoys the social aspect of the celebration. 

“I like the craft show and just getting down there and meeting with everyone in town,” she said.

To mark Nordicfest’s 25th anniversary, royalty from over the years – the princes and princesses, kings and queens, and Knutes and Mrs. Knutes – have been invited to be in Saturday’s parade, and afterward join in a gathering outside the Little Theatre. The public is invited to join past royalty for cake and refreshments.

For insurance purposes, last year’s arm wrestling tournament won’t make a second appearance and Nordicfest’s traditional Scandinavian rock throwing – the Varpa – was also canceled. Though it’s unfortunate, the board hopes to make up for the loss in other activities.

“We’re going to focus on the crafts, the parade and the food booth,” Oedewaldt said. “We’re bringing back the kids activity corner – last year we had a bounce house and blow-up slide.”

It was important to Oedewaldt that Nordicfest be as authentic as possible to mark its 25th anniversary milestone.

“We’re trying to stay more into the Scandinavian theme this year,” she said.

As part of that effort, artist Hildegarde Krumm will showcase her rosemaling, a form of decorative flower painting. Rosemaling dates back to 1750 and was brought to the United States by rural Norwegian immigrants.