What’s New for Syttende Mai in 2012 ??
2012 Theme “Bunads on Parade”
Each year, the Syttende Mai Executive Committee chooses a theme for the Syttende Mai festival. This year’s theme is “Bunads on Parade”. Norway is known for it’s unique and festive “bunads” which many would call a Norwegian costume. These beautiful bunads often are passed down from generation to generation and vary in style according to the region where the family calls home. Stoughton, WI has it’s own bunad style, and many women and men are proud to wear their costumes when the occasion arises. The Syttende Mai committee has arranged to have several bunads on display during the week at local businesses prior to the festival and during the festival weekend.
Norwegian Dancer Performances – & Guest Performers from Minnesota
We are so fortunate to have the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers perform during the festival week and weekend. They visit various Stoughton schools during the week, and have a special performance at the State Capitol and other Madison locations. They will be performing after the Youth Parade on Saturday, May 19th @ the Division St. location – about 2:00 pm – and then will be joined by the Peer Gynt Norwegian Dancer Youth Group from St. Paul, MN. Join in on the fun of a couple of easy audience participation dances. The SHS Norwegian Dancers will have two more performances on Saturday @ 3:45 and 5:30 at the Community Building (L). They will also have a final weekend performance at 3:45 on Sunday at the Community Building (after the Sunday parade)
Stoughton Opera House on Saturday, May 19th
There will be wonderful music provided during the day on Saturday –The Concert With Norwegian Music beginning at 10:30 am and the Greig Male Chorus performing at 11:30 am (Please note – new times for these performances this year
Christ Lutheran Church,
700 Cty. Hwy. B – Stoughton
10:30 a.m. May 20 2012
Christ Lutheran is the place for Norwegians or Norwegian enthusiast to be on Sunday morning Syttende Mai weekend. If you come early at 9:45 a.m. some alumni from the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers will be dancing in the narthex; you will hear “Oh, Lutefisk: and “Jus’ a Little Lefse” sung by a small group and the coffee will already be on. Before worship, in the sanctuary, John Beutel will play traditional Norwegian folk tunes on his accordion and there will be a parade of bunads. During worship enjoy a traditional Norwegian Liturgy and hymns – portions of which will be spoken and sung in Norwegian. The Edvard Grieg Chorus will provide special music and worship will end with the singing of “Ja Vi Elsker Dette Landet” Following worship, coffee, beverages and lots of Norwegian treats and meatballs will be served in the café and Fellowship Hall. For those visiting for the weekend, it is a great place to relax before the Sunday parade.
Racing Events
Due to popular demand, the 3rd annual 10 Mile Syttende Mai Run will begin at 8:00 at the 10 mile mark of the 20 mile Syttende Mai Run. (town of Dunn, Sand Hill Rd.) The 40th Annual Syttende Mai 20 mile run will begin at Madison’s Capitol Square as in past years, beginning at 7:30. The 26th annual Syttende Mai Walk will begin with a “rolling start” – 6-7 a.m. – from Badger Bowl – Rimrock Rd., as in past years. The Lil’ Syttende Mai Run – which has now been changed to the Lil’ Syttende Mai Community Run/Walk – again welcomes anyone who wishes to enter and participate in this run/walk event. Families and friends are encouraged to run/walk together and there is a competition between the Stoughton elementary schools to see what school has the most participants. 50 cents will be donated the school designated on the entry form for each application received. The money that is earned for each school is to be used for playground equipment. NOTE – To increase safety and traffic concerns, the Lil’ Run will continue with the start area that we changed last year. The event will begin at Fox Prairie School, 1601 W. South St. at the corner of W. South & King Sts. at 8:00 sharp. Also, t-shirts and race bibs will be distributed at the race start this year – nothing will be mailed out ahead of time. If you wish, you may pick up your t-shirt and race bib on Friday, May 18th, at the Stoughton Area Senior Center, 248 E. Main St., (Syttende Mai Headquarters). from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.
Syttende Mai Commemorative Coin
The commemorative coin this year honors Marion Keebaugh, who for many years helped to design the Syttende Mai King and Queen’s bunad costumes – and she taught bunad making at MATC. She also taught hardanger embroidery classes and co-wrote two books on the subject. She, along with Diane Anderson started the hardanger show during the Syttende Mai festival weekend, which continues to this day. Her “Voss” bunad beadwork is featured on the reverse side of the commemorative coin.
The Syttende Mai Arts & Crafts Fair
The Arts & Crafts Fair is back to a two day event – by popular demand. The show will be held on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Sunday, the times are 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. We are planning on 100+ exhibitors – there will be free face painting from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm on Sunday.
Quilt Show and Hardanger Exhibit
The quilt show and hardanger exhibit @ the River Bluff School are always a great attraction. The show/exhibits are Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. New for this year is a Hardanger fiddle display and music on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Stoughton Historical Museum
The Stoughton Historical Museum will feature a new display this year: “The History of Tobacco”. The Stoughton Chamber (train depot) will also be open on Friday and Saturday and will be offering a display of “Vintage Antiques”.
Stoughton Village Players Comedy Production
This year’s show is titled “Nuts to the ‘Net” (Ole er ikke vennen Min Lenger) A Comedy of Eras. Show times are 7:00 & 8:30 on Thursday and Friday; and 2:30, 4:00, 7:00 & 8:30 on Saturday. Tickets are $10 and are available at McGlynn Pharmacy in Stoughton starting May 1st, on the web @ www.stoughtonvillageplayers.org, and at the door if available.
