Williamses named Nordicfest King, Queen for 30th annual

Royalty for the 30th annual Nordicifest is set, and leading the way are King and Queen Duane and Peggy Williams.

The Williamses were crowned during the annual banquet Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This year’s annual event is Sept. 12, 13 and 14.

Other royalty includes Jerry and Ellen Frament as Mr. and Mrs. Kootenai Knute, Ryan and Katie Andreessen as parade marshals and co-Princesses Shyla Stevenson and Hanna Stewart. Stewart was unable to attend the banquet.

“It’s a great honor. I’m excited, especially since this is the 30th annual,” said Peggy Williams. “It think it’s about helping promote Nordicfest.”

Peggy Williams previously has promoted Nordicfest, serving previously on the board. The Williamses co-own Lincoln County Broadcasters, the parent company of radio stations KLCB and KTNY in Libby. She is a current Libby City Councilwoman and treasurer of Lincoln County Broadcasters.

Duane Williams is past-president of the Libby Rotary Club; and past board member of the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce.  He holds a degree in English, speech and drama. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran. They raised two daughters in Libby.

“I think all the royalty is pretty jazzed up,” said Les Nelson, Nordicfest Committee president.

Nelson commended the Nordicfest Committee for their dedication.

“They are so committed to this,” Nelson said. “Sometimes, it’s tough to control their appreciation. We try to keep our meetings to 90 minutes, but we don’t always achieve that.”

The Nordicfest Committee has chosen the slogan, “Be our guest at the 30th fest” for this year’s event. Board members beyond Nelson include Ray Eanes as vice president and music committee chairwoman, Freda Howard as secretary and education committee chairwoman, Noelle Gilmore as treasurer and crafts committee chairwoman, Pam Peppenger as parade and food committee chairwoman, Jill Beach as the royalty committee chairwoman and Clarence and Verna Johnson, who co-chair the property committee.

Nelson, who emceed the coronation, said the committee is seeking additional members.

Dinner included salmon loaf, Swedish meatballs, ethnic cabbage, Nordic julskinka ham, pickled beets, Janssens potatoes and ethnic beans. The dessert was strawberry snow.

Lee Tonner and Ann Mason entertained before and during dinner.

Later, the Yaaktastics, a new musical group performed.