Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – all Nordic countries love to celebrate the Holidays, which bring joy to the short, dark days of winter. Traditions run deep in the hearts and lives of Nordic peoples, and they come alive here in Portland each year at ScanFair.

This is the 34th year that Nordic Northwest (NNW) and the Nordic community will gather to celebrate the fun, the food and the traditions of a Nordic Christmas with the ScanFair holiday festival and market.

More than ninety vendors will showcase delicious foods, arts, crafts and other products from Europe’s northern most countries. Ever wondered what Æbleskiver taste like with a bit of Lingonberry jam or looking to find some authentic old-world baked goods? Looking for beautiful handmade sweaters or woodworking by skilled craftsmen? Interested in discovering more about wonderful cultural traditions from other lands or your own family’s Nordic roots? Fancy sampling scrumptious cookies, good wines and spirits or crafting Christmas presents with the kiddos? ScanFair will provide all of that and much more.

In addition to the wonderful selection of holiday gifts and goodies, there will be non-stop entertainment. Traditional & not so traditional Nordic music and dance will be performed by artists – young and old. Spinning, weaving and felting have been integral parts of Nordic life for centuries, and those crafts will be demonstrated throughout the weekend. There will be a special Pippi Longstocking Children’s Craft area for lots of hands-on fun for the younger members of the family and enthusiastic crafters, and all visitors will have the chance to have their photos taken with Joulupukki – the Finnish Santa – and in front of NNW’s Viking Ship.

More information is at www.nordicnorthwest.org

Veterans Memorial Coliseum is at the Rose Quarter hub for TriMet (bus and light rail)

ScanFair 2018 – Details

What: The sights, sounds, tastes and traditions of a Nordic Christmas
When: Dec. 1 & 2, 2018 (Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm) Where: Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum Exhibit Hall, Portland, OR

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

•  Especially for children — THE PIPPI LONGSTOCKING CRAFT AREA (both days – allopen hours)
• Get your picture taken with Joulupukki (the Finnish Santa) presented by theFinlandia Foundation. (both days – all open hours)
• Or, take your picture in front of NNW’s Viking Ship. (both days – all open hours)
• Join the Nordic Scavenger Hunt
• Celebrate the 63rd crowning of the official Oregon Lucia, Queen of Light, on stageSunday at Noon.
• Something you would see only at a Scandinavian festival is a Pickled Herring eatingcontest, midday on Saturday.
• Swedish Meatball eating contest, midday on Sunday
• Learn traditional Nordic dances, Saturday.
• Raffle for a Variety of Fun Prizes (need not be present to win)NORDIC ARTS & CRAFTS

  ScanFair is the only event in Portland where beautiful Nordic arts and crafts – both traditional and modern – come together in one place for a two-day festival and marketplace. Treasures for yourself or wonderful gifts for the holidays.

  THE PIPPI LONGSTOCKING CRAFT AREA

  Named after the beloved literary character created by Astrid Lindgren, here children and adults have the chance to learn how to make traditional Scandinavian Christmas crafts, including Danish Hjerte or woven hearts and Swedish Julgranskaramel (poppers) to decorate the Christmas tree.

  SCANDINAVIAN DELICACIES

  Enjoy traditional foods on the spot or take them home with you. Danish aebleskiver (apple pancake balls), Norwegian lefse & krumkake, Swedish meatballs with lingonberries, pickled herring and flat bread, rice pudding and fruit soup, Varm Korv (hot dogs) and much more. Plus, for the adults, sample wines and aquavit from which to choose for yourself or as gifts for others.

  Entertainment

  For a full description of the performing artists and groups, please contact: sassac@nordicnorthwest.org

   

Participating local Nordic Organizations: Danish Brotherhood, # 167
Danish Sisterhood, #81
Daughters of Norway, # 37
Finlandia Foundation, Columbia Pacific Chapter League of Swedish Societies
Norske Runddansere
Northwest Danish Association
Portland Finnish School
Scandia Ladies Chorus of Portland
Scandinavian Men’s Chorus of Portland
Sons of Norway, #2-15
Swedish Roots in Oregon
Swedish School of Portland
VASA Order of America, #472
SWEA International, Inc. is a global organization for Swedish women abroad

ScanFair is sponsored by Nordic Northwest, with a mission to celebrate the richness of Nordic heritage and culture. People of Scandinavian descent make up about 10 percent of the population in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The festival began 34 years ago as a way to support Nordic language courses at PSU. Today proceeds from ScanFair support a wide variety of cultural and educational programs year-round at Nordia House, NNW’s Portland hub.