Next month tens of thousands will gather at the State Fair Center in Minot, N.D., to take part in North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, Norsk Høstfest. An event filled with world-class entertainment, authentic Scandinavian cuisine, cultural displays and handcrafted merchandise; this year’s festival is sure to delight all in attendance. Read on to learn more about what is in store for festival-goers this year.

Entertainment

This year’s Great Hall of the Vikings entertainment lineup at Norsk Høstfest is second to none! Headlining acts include Chicago, Daniel O’Donnell, Sara Evans, Big & Rich, Emmylou Harris, Tommy James & the Shondells, Dwight Yoakam and Neil Sedaka.

Along with these all-star entertainers, Høstfest offers non-stop free stage entertainment too. Back by popular demand for the 31st time is “The Norwegian Cowboy,” Bjøro Håland, who hails from Kristiansand, Norway, and is the country’s top-selling male recording artist of all time.

Also returning to Høstfest are classically educated singers, and brothers, Didrik and Emil Solli-Tangen from Telemark, Norway. The duo will take their audience on a journey through their musical favorites, with selections ranging from the 1800s to today.

The deep baritone voice of Steffen Jakobsen became known to TV viewers when he appeared on Norway’s “Idol.” Coming in third in the competition, he showed Norwegian audiences new ways to enjoy country music. His performance of Josh Turner’s “Your Man” was voted the best “Idol” Instant! Steffen Jakobsen sings traditional country and creates his own music. He credits Josh Turner, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, Don Williams and George Jones as his inspiration.

Additional free entertainment includes live Viking Steel Combat, Ivares Pjokarna, Skalmusik, Nordic Bees and much more! For a complete listing of Høstfest entertainment, visit hostfest.com.

Høstfest University

Høstfest University offers unique learning opportunities unlike anything found elsewhere in the United States. Accomplished instructors from Norway and throughout the United States share their skills with hands-on teaching in an array of disciplines. Participants emerge with finished products after having had a whole lot of fun getting personal assistance from skilled craftspeople, who are also talented teachers.

This year, for the first time, Høstfest University introduces Arne and Carlos, acclaimed knitters and best-selling authors from Norway whose talents are well known in Scandinavian countries. Arne learned to knit from three generations of women in his family. Carlos was ten when his mother taught him to knit. Their designs and work are highly influenced by their Scandinavian background and life in rural Norway. They live in the Valdres region, where they have revitalized a former railway station into a studio set between mountains and lakes. To date they have written and published seven instructional books, which are available in 15 languages, and post tutorials on their YouTube channel. Arne & Carlos will be presenting three different classes for adults participating in Høstfest University:  Knitted Christmas Balls, Akle Tapestry Design Wrist Warmers and Crocheting a Primrose Throw.

Other classes offered at this year’s Høstfest University include Viking coin making, Norse spoon carving, Rosemaling, Sami ring and bracelet making, carving a Scandinavian ornament and more. Registration for Høstfest University may be done online at hostfest.com/hu.

Be sure to check back to the blog in a few weeks as we highlight two other fantastic components of this year’s Norsk Høstfest festivities: gourmet restaurant En To Tre and Sons of Norway’s “Spin the Norway” trivia contest.