Wisconsin Historical Society: Scandinavian Midsommar celebration to take place at Old World Wisconsin

Contact: Keri O’Keefe, Wisconsin Historical Society
(608)-261-9597
keri.okeefe@wisconsinhistory.org

Eagle, Wisconsin – Celebrate Scandinavian folk traditions at Old World Wisconsin’s Midsommar Celebration June 17 – 18. Guests can enjoy the summer solstice while raising and dancing around the Majstang (maypole), decorating the sauna with greens, and dancing to traditional folk music. All fathers will receive free admission to the Old World historic areas on Father’s Day, June 18.

“This weekend event celebrates a long-standing Scandinavian tradition and how that tradition has flourished in Wisconsin,” said Dan Freas, site director at Old World Wisconsin. “New this year is the exclusive opportunity to get a real feel and taste for Finnish culture at the Sauna and Breakfast event taking place on Saturday morning. During this event, guests can relax during a 30 minute session in a real Finnish sauna that is traveling around the United States and savor the flavors of a Finnish breakfast cooked on the wood stove at Ketola farm.”

Activities will take place on the Visitor’s Green, as well as the Norwegian Area. Tickets to the exclusive Sauna and Breakfast event held on Saturday, June 17 must be purchased in advance. A Swedish buffet will be available for purchase on Sunday morning. Attendees can also bring their own picnic lunch.

The Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration will take place Saturday, June 17-18 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. All Wisconsin Historical Society members receive free admission. All fathers will receive free admission on Father’s Day, June 18. Adult admission (18-64) is $19, children (5-17) $10, senior citizens (65 and over) $16, and children 4 and under free. Fees include an all-day tram transportation pass. Parking is free. Buffet pricing for Sunday morning is $16 (13 and over), $10 (5-12), and children 4 and under are free.

About Old World Wisconsin: Old World Wisconsin is located on Highway 67 just south of Eagle, Wisconsin in the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison triangle. The 600-acre history attraction features interactive environments and immersive stories of 19th- and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. During the operating season May through October the museum offers hands-on activities, led by period-clad staff members, as they visit 10 working farmsteads, explore 12 heirloom gardens, meet heritage animal breeds, and try historic crafts and skills. For general information and details, call 262-594-6301 or visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org.

About Wisconsin Historical Society: The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org.