MyBallard cameras will be there to capture all the excitement of the Syttende Mai (17th of May) festivities today. Here’s a rundown of all the events around Ballard on this Norwegian Constitution Day:
10am to 5pm: Nordic Heritage Museum. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids to make Norwegian crafts.
Noon to 2pm: Luncheon: Leif Erikson Lodge. A traditional Norwegian lunch featuring the Grand Marshal and Honorary Marshals.
2pm to 5pm: Entertainment. Bergen Place (intersection of Market, Leary, and 22nd) will be the scene of plenty of acts with Nordic flair.
3pm to 5pm: Barneleker (Children’s games). Ballard Community Center. Children can enjoy games from Norway and the U.S. for free.
4pm to 6pm: Cafe at Leif Erikson Lodge. Food will be available for purchase just before the parade.
5pm to 8pm: Syttende Gay. Combining Seattle’s Scandinavian GLBT community and the annual Syttende Mai celebration, Syttende Gay is celebrated at BalMar (5449 Ballard Ave NW). The fundraising event benefits Journey Home, a division of Solid Ground.
6pm to 8pm: 17th of May Parade. The day wraps up with the big event that draws thousands of people to the center of the neighborhood. The parade route begins near Adams School at the corner of 62nd St NW and 24th Avenue NW. The route follows south down 24th to Market Street and eastward to Bergen Place. Parking is always a struggle, so please arrive early.
You can find much more at the official website as well as our preview of the event. And here’s the weather forecast. Enjoy the day!
please don’t park in front of driveways if you drive to the parade! I’ve been hemmed in 3 out of the past 5 years!
. . . neimen!
Why do they have this on a Monday?
It’s traditional to celebrate an event on its actual anniversary date. Much more respectful than celebrating Martin Luther King’s birthday on the second Monday in January or other such holidays as Americans are wont to do.
it’s the same date every year, Lathum.
I believe Syttende Mai actually means ‘May 17th’, but I might be wrong there.
How do you pronounce this “Syttende Mai”
Pronunciation — (from a Norwegian friend) Sue-tinduh My). And, yes, it means the Seventeenth of May.
If it’s raining at parade-time, will it be postponed?
You wouldn’t celebrate the Fourth of July on another date would you? ;)
I would.
in fact if it rains on the Fourth, I usually save my fireworks to blow up in the skate bowl at random times of the year.
HIP HIP! HURRAH!
hipp hipp hurra!
Why is there a Syttende Gay?
we live in seattle. it rains on most holidays silly!
I should probably improve my reading comprehension.
Hurra for Norge!
@Joe: I agree! I don’t get it! By the way, have you noticed how closely the Norwegian flag resembles the Dixie flag???