Astoria, Oregon, Midsummer June 21-23, 2013

I've talked about having "points" along this pilgrimage that are fixed dates and places that I want to see. All places in-between are flexible. Astoria for Midsummer has been one of those points since the very beginning because the Scandinavian Festival is in Astoria, Oregon on this date.

http://www.astoriachineseheritage.org/
We first stopped at the Post Office to mail packages home and we learned several things.
1. The Astoria Post Office is the oldest Post Office west of the Rockies.
2. A piece of redwood has a place of honor under a shed. It's directly across from the post office.
3. Downtown has flags from all the Scandinavian countries along the street.
4. We saw construction downtown, but I didn't realize it was for the 200th anniversary and to honor the Chinese settlers that lived here. The Garden of Surging Waves, See the link above.
5. Astoria is built on a cliff over the Columbia River. Maybe not as steep as San Francisco Nob Hill, but the streets go up and down.

March 9, 1847

Astoria Post Office

Protected Redwood.

Guess we needed someone standing here
to show how tall it is. Perhaps the red
car in the photo to the left will help.

Another view from the side.

I captured the Swedish Flag, of course!

Columbia River from our room.

Down the river, a long, long bridge.

This link tells about the festival the day before the event.
http://www.coastweekend.com/coastal_life/astoria-scandinavian-midsummer-festival-tradition-runs-deep/article_ee00c706-d78c-11e2-b8a6-0019bb2963f4.html

The Scandinavian Festival is south of town at the fairgrounds. The parking lot is across the highway and they have this nifty foot bridge to walk across. They also had a tractor to bring folks who had trouble walking or just wanted to ride!

This link tells about this year's festival and some photos after the event. They are already preparing for the 2014 festival.

http://www.dailyastorian.com/free/all-in-the-family/article_ea34dd1e-dcf6-11e2-8f28-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story

Walking the bridge from the parking lot.

Nice sign announcing the Festival.

Cart.

Pulled by a tractor of sorts!

Välkommen till Midsommar

Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden

Welcome Friends!
I just realized I didn't get any photos
of the dancers or the musicians.
They were really good and fun to watch.

I'm glad this lady came in her wheelchair.

In Astoria, there is a club for each Scandinavian country
 to socialize during the year. (My cousins in Kansas City belong
to the Swedish club.) Each club elects a nominee for Miss
Scandinavian and a Junior Miss to be Ambassadors for the Festival.
They were escorted by their fathers or brothers who carried their
country's flag to the stage.
The question this year was "What does your heritage mean to you?
The girls gave thoughtful answers and admitted that the festival helped
them look at the traditions they had taken for granted.
The troll interrupted the ceremony and everyone loved it with cheers!

Getting kissed by the troll... 

...will bring you good luck!

Then we went outside to burn the hex, a "doll" made of straw. You say what fear or resentment you want to get rid of, and throw it away, sorta like a scapegoat.

I asked the lady next to me...

...if I could take a photo of her HEX. Turns
out she is from Florida!!! and said YES.

The beer garden had it's own hall and music with this
truck to bring the beer. Notice the taps are right into the side.

Carving wooden shoes!

I'm always ready to eat!

Danish pastries and the Swedish Pea Soup were good!!
Lots of other good foods, too.

The kids had a safe area to do crafts
with adult supervision.

I missed the puppet shows.

The next morning began a busy day. The Troll Run was early this morning. We arrived in time for the parade and the raising the Midsummer Pole.

The "Parade" walked  from one room,
through the hall, and to the next.

I caught them in the hall,
strolling at a pretty fast pace.

The white rope will be a pull line. It's
propped up at the top for the rings to
hang freely. At the foot it swivels
between two supports to hold it in place.

The rings are the traditional way
to built the pole. The sticks underneath
will help support the pole on it's way up.

A rooster woven out of straw for
the top, along with a flower.

Here we go, everyone has a place.

Halfway UP!
The top now is supported
by the sticks we saw
lying on the ground
underneath the pole.

A better view of the
swivel at the bottom.

Yea!!! On a beautiful day!

If you are easily distracted or
need a quiet place to rest, there is
a pretty serenity garden nearby
and next to the bridge.

Inside, the tables and the stage are set for the dinner and show tonight.

I always see something in the photos.

The poles are sent on a napkin!

I tried to leave it large so you could read the menu.
OH, well, please trust me, it was GOOD!

Scandinavians do like to laugh at themselves and their customs. The festival wouldn't be complete without some Ole and Lena jokes. This year, we are entertained by Ole and Lena's Wedding. If you'd like more Ole and Lena jokes, I bought two books of them when I was in Solvang.

Many jokes about the Lutheran Church.
There is another couple who tell the story.

The bride is not too happy. Grandma was
the widow. The old boyfriend was the pianist!

Mama's definitely in charge.

Ole and his buddy just want to go fishing!

And don't forget the shopping! So many choices. Things I didn't buy, and things I did buy.

Beautiful birdhouses. None of these.

Lots of work on the angel. Nope.

YES for the puzzle snake.

YES for the beaded dragon holding the
prize jewel for Tom Hackman.
The snake comes apart at the eyes.
It's for John Hackman and his boys.

On the longest day of the year, it was
quite late when we left. The sun shone
on the clouds and the trees and made
them look like they were painted gold.

I zoomed in on the trees.
It was a gift from above to
crown two fun-filled days.