It’s Scandimonium time! The end of September marks two Scandinavian festivals back-to-back: the Twin Ports Rosemaling Society’s Scandinavian Festival in Proctor, MN, on Saturday, Sept 21, and Høstfest in Minot, ND, Sept 25-28. I have less than 48 hours between returning home from one and leaving for the next.

If you’ve never been to Minot, ND (and I hadn’t until going to Høstfest last year), it’s a neat city. Navigating can be a challenge with the Souris River horseshoeing its way through town, and lots of up and down on hills in the river valley. But it’s a lovely city. Last year I made sure to tour the Scandinavian Heritage Park before the festival began, which has a replica of a Norwegian stave church (built entirely of wood, no nails), a Danish windmill, a Swedish Dala Horse, and lots of other Scandinavian attractions.

This year at Høstfest I’ll be joining the artisans in Copenhagen Hall (where all the vendors demonstrate their craft). Colored pencil drawing feels a little boring compared to some of the other crafts being demonstrated, but maybe that’s my bias from overexposure. Here’s my booth in Helsinki Hall in 2023:

See you in the Twin Ports or Høstfest!