Month: May 2009

Thousands enjoy sunny Syttende Mai parade

Geeky Swedes 15 Comments

Beautiful costumes, a restored Viking ship, marching bands and Norwegian Fjord horses were among the attractions at this year’s 17th of May parade in Ballard. Thousands of people enjoyed the historic festivities in perfect weather.

Of course, the traditional Norwegian costumes, called bunads, are always a crowd favorite. We talked with one couple who are longtime parade marchers. While they were warm in their wool sweaters today, it wasn’t as hot as last year when the mercury hit 88 degrees. “We’ll suffer for the 17th of May,” they exclaimed. “We’ll do anything for the 17th of May!” Syttende Mai celebrates the day in 1814 when Norway’s constitution was signed.

And the kids, as always, were adorable.

After the parade, we talked to Heidi Larsen who walked with her 11-week-old, Elsa. Heidi has been in the parade since she was Elsa’s age, and she says that marching today is important to “celebrate our heritage and introduce her to it.”

The Nordic Heritage Museum unveiled the Nordic Spirit, the newly-restored 200-year-old replica of a Viking ship. The ship had been sitting in storage until the museum and Pacific Fishermen Shipyard carefully restored the vessel. The Nordic Spirit will also participate in the Alaskan Yukon Pacific Exposition this summer, and it will be put on display at the Nordic Heritage Museum.

Several thousand people lined Market St. and 24th Ave. to watch the hour and a half celebration. Over 100 groups participated in the parade, but the Ballard High School band did not participate this year. According to one of the organizers, they’re at Disneyland playing in a parade down there.

But a big crowd favorite was the Hellvik Mannskor mens choir, which had flown in from Norway. As they marched, many spectators joined in song. This year’s Grand Marshal was Norwegian Ambassador Wegger Christian Strommen (who was seen snacking at Olsen’s Scandinavian Foods after the parade.)

Besides chasing all the candy, the kids loved to watch the Norwegian Fjord Horses. One of the oldest breeds on earth, the horses were on display earlier today at the Nordic Heritage Museum.

And Norwegians can’t have all the fun. The Swedish Pancake Drill Team entertained the crowd with all sorts of patented pancake moves, including the toss, which frequently landed on the pavement. Click through below for a few more photos, and we’ve posted a ton more on My Ballard’s Facebook page here. Plus, My Ballard reader Nina posted her photos here.

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