Festival in New Sweden draws large crowd on June 17-19
Midsommar in New Sweden was a magical experience for participants from near and far as near perfect weather descended on the community for the weekend of June 17-19, 2016.
“We had several objectives we hoped to achieve, “ said Brenda Jepson of Madawaska Lake, who co-chaired this year’s festival with Kathy Hede Robinson.
“Getting performers from Sweden was one of them, as well as bringing back folk dancing for adults. We also wanted to offer some exciting historic exhibitions never seen before and I am glad to say we attracted some.”
Birgitta Anderson Whited, a Swedish singer who performs many traditional songs, sang a few of them on Saturday evening at the New Sweden School during an event called “Folk Dancing For Fun.” She also performed hymns at a morning outdoor church service in Thomas Park and at an afternoon program on Sunday.
A collection of films, shot by New Sweden resident Walter Anderson in the 1930s and ‘40s premiered at the New Sweden Baptist Church on Saturday.
“Walter captured amazing footage,” said Jepson. He was always seen running around with a camera filming all kinds of events — from a cattle drive through New Sweden to rolling the snow before plows. These were shown for the first time.”
At the Covenant Church on Saturday there was a smorgasbord of new offerings — from a quilt exhibition to Swedish ethnic foods and from a vintage sewing machine demonstration to a display of Maine Swedish Colony photos from the 1920s — on loan from the Nylander Museum.
“All these new events were added to our usual popular activities such as raising the Majstang (Midsommar) Pole and watching the children dance around it while singing in Swedish,” said Jepson.
Another exciting activity held over the weekend, and one that will continue over the summer, was the grand re-opening of the Capitol School Gift Shop, next door to the New Sweden Historical Society.
“This Midsommar was a huge success,” says Kathy Hede Robinson of Stockholm. “There were volunteers at each area to oversee. The American Legion in Stockholm and the Lutheran Church in New Sweden provided meals, as well as the New Sweden Historical Society lunch in the park. There was no shortage of good things to eat.”
Two things surprised the women who took on the job for the first time. “We were thrilled with how many people helped out. There are dozens upon dozens of folk who volunteer to make this three-day event possible. No matter the challenges, someone stepped up the plate to help out, and we cannot thank them enough,” said Jepson.
They also were amazed by how many people from different parts of the world were there: Sweden, India, Nicaragua, and Venezuela as well as numerous states such as Ohio, Montana and California.
Many of the events were captured on film in picture perfect weather, including another first for the festival. Dennis Anderson, of New Sweden, bought a new drone especially to film the festival and there is a clip of his footage at https://vimeo.com/171680153
Jepson will combine film she shot with Anderson’s aerial footage to create a highlights video of the weekend.
After the success of the Midsommar Festival, the new co-chairs are hardly kicking back. They will meet soon with members of the Midsommar Committee to review the weekend events.
“We learn from year to year what works and try to add to that,” said Hede Robinson.
