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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
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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 Norway’s Constitution in 1814.
Petersburg’s Little Norway Festival has grown over these
last 49 years to span the 3rd weekend of May and celebrates not only Norway’s 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.
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 Mummer’s Melodrama written and produced
each year by the local theatre group, a variety of artist
receptions, rosemaling classes and a local Art’s &
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 Petersburg’s 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.
2013 - May 16th - 19th
With true hometown flair, “The
Little Norway Festival” is a celebration of Southeast
Alaskan life and all are Velkommen til Petersburg!
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Little Norway Parade
© Donel Judy
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