If you went for several months without seeing the sun — like Sweden, Denmark and Finland do — you’d have a big party, too!

So, get ready to welcome the sun — and summer — in a very Scandinavian way as downtown Golden’s Parfet Park welcomes the Colorado Scandinavian Midsummer Festival to its potential new home in Golden, from Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16.

Presented by the Scandinavian Alliance of Colorado, this three-day extravaganza celebrates the culture, traditions, and culinary delights of the northern countries as people there welcomed the sun’s return after the long Arctic winter.

And the good news is, you don’t even have to be Scandinavian-American to have a good time, said festival director Kristina Feste-Hanson.

“We want everyone to come out, spend a couple of hours and feel included,” she said.

From traditional dance performances to flower crown making, a beer garden, Vikings and the raising of the maypole, this free event offers something for everyone to enjoy.

A well-curated offering of authentic foods will be on hand. Hanson said she has known many of the vendors for years, and they are well-vetted.

Have a taste of the old country with traditional mead, beer, aquavit, glögg, potato sausages, Swedish meatballs, lefse, and smoked salmon.

Auto lovers can take in a Scandinavian classic car show, featuring exhibits from the Rocky Mountain Saab Club.

Hanson said the event moved to Golden this year after the event grew too big for Estes Park. Organizers were offered the use of the Estes Park Fairgrounds, but Hanson said the alternate venue was not a good fit.

Hanson contacted the City of Golden about hosting the 2024 event and said city officials have been very supportive. If everything works out, Golden could be the event’s new permanent home

But Hanson has a word of caution for Scandinavian-Americans attending the festival.

“First, yes, you can bring your dog, and second, park your car and use the shuttle,” she said. “But be prepared to meet distant relatives.”

Many families of Scandinavian descent choose to hold reunions at the festival and Hanson said it’s not unusual to find a distant family connection you didn’t know you had.

For more information on vendors and parking, visit: https://scandinavianmidsummer.com/