House of Sweden celebrates the summer solstice - the longest day of the year, with their annual Lawn Program and Midsummer Festival.
From 8:00 AM to 10 AM the day?s festivities begin with a members breakfast at the cottage and the decorating of the Majstang (Maypole) with flowers and greenery.
The 2:00 PM outdoor stage program includes entertainment such as Swedish Folkdance Club of Los Angeles, who perform detailed dances in their beautiful folk costumes. The historical significance of the Midsummer Celebration is explained, dignitaries from the House of Sweden and the Swedish-American Community are introduced, and small children sing traditional Midsummer songs to the delight of the visitors to the Park.
The event then shifts from the outdoor stage to the area around the Maypole. Traditional accordion and fiddle music allow Swedes and non-Swedes alike to participate in festive circle dances around the maypole, accompanied by much singing and laughter. Look for the many traditional Swedish folk costumes worn by men, women and children. Many of these costumes have been handed down from one generation to the next, valued for both their beauty and tradition.
Midsummer foods can be purchased by the public. Kottbullar(Swedish meatballs), Limpa(sweet rye bread), Inlagd Gurka(pickled cucumbers) and Swedish almond coffeecake.
At the conclusion of the Lawn Program the private Midsummer Party begins (tickets have to be purchased in advance) from 4:00 PM to 10 PM. Members and guests enjoy sitting outside the cottage at the long table to enjoy a Svenka Midsommar Smorgasbord, including Swedish meatballs, new potatoes, pickled cucumbers, limpa, cheese, pickled herring and desserts consisting of strawberries with fresh whipped cream and Princess Torte. There is music for entertainment and a raffle.
National Day of Sweden, or the Swedish Flag's Day is observed in Sweden on June 6 every year. The day was made into a national day by the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) in 1983, before which it was just honored as the Swedish flag day.
Admission: Free
Location: International Cottages at Balboa Park, 2125 Park Boulevard. (Outdoor courtyard lawn area among the Houses of Pacific Relations near President's Way)
For more information:
Phone: 619-234-0739
or
Visit: sdhpr.org
or
Email: Pat Coffey
For more information about midsummer celebration see: wikipedia.org/Midsummer
From 8:00 AM to 10 AM the day?s festivities begin with a members breakfast at the cottage and the decorating of the Majstang (Maypole) with flowers and greenery.
The 2:00 PM outdoor stage program includes entertainment such as Swedish Folkdance Club of Los Angeles, who perform detailed dances in their beautiful folk costumes. The historical significance of the Midsummer Celebration is explained, dignitaries from the House of Sweden and the Swedish-American Community are introduced, and small children sing traditional Midsummer songs to the delight of the visitors to the Park.
The event then shifts from the outdoor stage to the area around the Maypole. Traditional accordion and fiddle music allow Swedes and non-Swedes alike to participate in festive circle dances around the maypole, accompanied by much singing and laughter. Look for the many traditional Swedish folk costumes worn by men, women and children. Many of these costumes have been handed down from one generation to the next, valued for both their beauty and tradition.
Midsummer foods can be purchased by the public. Kottbullar(Swedish meatballs), Limpa(sweet rye bread), Inlagd Gurka(pickled cucumbers) and Swedish almond coffeecake.
At the conclusion of the Lawn Program the private Midsummer Party begins (tickets have to be purchased in advance) from 4:00 PM to 10 PM. Members and guests enjoy sitting outside the cottage at the long table to enjoy a Svenka Midsommar Smorgasbord, including Swedish meatballs, new potatoes, pickled cucumbers, limpa, cheese, pickled herring and desserts consisting of strawberries with fresh whipped cream and Princess Torte. There is music for entertainment and a raffle.
National Day of Sweden, or the Swedish Flag's Day is observed in Sweden on June 6 every year. The day was made into a national day by the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) in 1983, before which it was just honored as the Swedish flag day.
Admission: Free
Location: International Cottages at Balboa Park, 2125 Park Boulevard. (Outdoor courtyard lawn area among the Houses of Pacific Relations near President's Way)
For more information:
Phone: 619-234-0739
or
Visit: sdhpr.org
or
Email: Pat Coffey
For more information about midsummer celebration see: wikipedia.org/Midsummer
