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.

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.

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

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.

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.