Ballard will be painted all things Norwegian this weekend with the Syttende Mai parade on Sunday, and it’s only appropriate that we look back and remember our neighborhood’s fierce Norwegian pride through the years.
The above photo isn’t from the Syttende Mai parade; it’s actually from the Ballard Scandinavian Christmas Festival parade on December 4, 1948. Riding the Viking boat is Asa Gudjohnsen, Seattle’s Lucia Bride. The float won first prize in the parade, entered by the Norwegian Commercial Club and Ray’s Boat House. The photographer was Clarence J Rote from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. (Photo courtesy MOHAI)
A group of young Norwegians in costume, posing on the steps of Meany Hall at the Univesrity of Washington campus for the Norway Day Parade of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909. (Photo courtesy the Ballard Historical Society)
Syttende Mai parade, 1905, with the columns of the Ballard City Hall and Sunset Building in the background. The former trolley tracks can be seen underfoot. (Photo courtesy Ballard Historical Society)
Norway Hall, photographed in 1944. The Norway Hall was built for Norwegian immigrant groups in Seattle, and the design incorporated traditional Norwegian architectural elements such as the elaborately carved dragon heads on the gable ends, according to MOHAI. The Norway Hall at 2015 Boren Avenue was designed by Engelhart Sonnichsen and constructed in 1915. It later became a dance hall, and the Sons of Norway moved to a new headquarters in Ballard. (Photo courtesy MOHAI)
Syttende Mai parade passing by the old Norway Center at 3rd and Thomas in Lower Queen Anne in 1970. Photographer was Bob Miller from the Seattle P-I. (Photo courtesy MOHAI)
Do you have photos from Syttende Mai celebrations back in the day? Email them to tips@myballard.com and we will post them!