| The Petersburg Little Norway Festival
Committee and Chamber of Commerce welcome all residents and
visitors of Petersburg to the Annual Little Norway Festival
each year.
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Little Norway Parade
© Glo DeBoer |
This annual celebration dates back to
May 17th, 1958 when two local women, Bernadine Trones and
Alma Wallen chaired the first Little Norway Festival in celebration
of our unique Norwegian heritage. Syttende Mai or May 17th,
celebrates the signing of Norways Constitution in 1814.
Petersburgs Little Norway Festival has grown over these
last 49 years to span the 3rd weekend of May and celebrates not only Norways Constitution,
but U.S. Armed Forces Day, the coming of spring and beginning
of the fishing season.
Residents and visitors, young and old
alike dressed in Norwegian bunader (folk costumes) host as
well as partake in the Festival events. The rowdy Vikings
and Valkyries stir up lighthearted mischief whenever and wherever
they can.
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The 50th Anniversary of the Little Norway Festival – May 15- 18, 2008
Come to the festival and dance, and sing, and eat great seafood and pastries, visit with friends, march in the parade, carouse with a Viking, pose for a photo with a Valkyrie and enjoy our island life and Norwegian heritage. There will be a fabulous poster available for sale to commemorate the festival’s 50th anniversary. The original was painted by Alaska’s own Barbara Lavallee. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for poster details and sales. The famous Pickled Herring band is going to entertain us once again and many of your favorite events will happen this weekend only! Come for a weekend and remember us for a lifetime. |
| Little Vikings in town |
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Great music always plays a large part
of the Festival fun and indoor and outdoor dances are scheduled
for Friday & Saturday evenings. Art events include; the
Annual Mitkof Mummers Melodrama written and produced
each year by the local theatre group, a variety of artist
receptions, rosemaling classes and a local Arts &
Craft Share. The heart of downtown is barricaded and booths
line the street offering a variety of wares and information.
Food, always an important aspect of any festival, ranges from
traditional Alaskan Native fare and Petersburgs world-class
seafood to fine Norwegian delicacies. A parade, a walk/run
race, a pageant, style shows, many dedications, receptions
and open houses fill out the very full Annual Festival Schedule
and insure entertainment for everyone.

Little Norway Revellers
© Glo DeBoer
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Though the Festival Schedule remains
largely the same, each year a preliminary schedule of events
will be available through the Petersburg Visitor Information
Center & Chamber of Commerce in April of the Festival
year.
This year & future Festival Dates:
The Festival dates are customarily
the third weekend in May coinciding with May 17th.
2008 May 15 -18th 50th year celebration!
With true hometown flair, The
Little Norway Festival is a celebration of Southeast
Alaskan life and all are Velkommen til Petersburg!
Annual Festival Schedule
(Subject & exact times to change from year to year)
THURSDAY:
- Festival Art Share
Opening Clausen Memorial Museum
- One Hour Make it Take it
Art Classes The Cubby Hole
- Muskeg Nature Walk U.S. Forrest
Service
- Viking Feast Viking & Valkaryies
FRIDAY:
- Festival Art Share Clausen Memorial
Museum
- Concession & Craft Booths Main
Street
- One Hour Make it Take it
Art Classes The Cubby Hole
- Scandinavian Bunad Style Show & Luncheon
Sons of Norway
- Festival Parade Main Street
- Festival Smorgasbord Emblem Club
- Festival Music Event
SATURDAY:
- Lop the Loop Annual Walk and Run
Race
- Kids Dolly Fishing Derby Big Brother
Youth Program
- Festival Art Share Clausen Memorial
Museum
- Concession & Craft Booths Main
Street
- Kaffe Hus Sons of Norway
- U.S. Coast Guard Anacapa Tours
Coast Guard Facility
- Little Norway Festival Pageant High
School Gym
- All You Can Pick Shrimp Feed High
School Basketball Teams
- Nordic Dinner Theater High School
Wrestling Team
- Festival Dance Little Norway Committee
SUNDAY:
- Festival Pancake Breakfast St. Catherine
Catholic Church
- Festival Art Share Clausen Memorial
Museum
- Church service of your choice
- Seafood Bake & Barbecue Rotary
Club
**Other events include a variety of open houses,
receptions, ribbon cuttings & dedications which occur
each year depending on available time and recently completed
community projects.
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Little Norway Parade
© Donel Judy |
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