Come celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway Lake, Sunburg and Milan the weekend of May 17 (2024)

SUNBURG , Minn. — Two hundred and ten years ago, on May 17, 1814, what would become the nation of Norway signed its constitution, declaring itself a separate kingdom.

The hope was to avoid being absorbed into Sweden. Instead, a union was formed between the two countries, which held until 1905 when a prince of Denmark was chosen to be King Haakon VII of an independent Norway.

Nasjonaldagen (National Day), Grunnlovsdagen (Constitution Day) or just Syttende Mai (Seventeenth of May) is now celebrated across Norway and the world as the national day of Norway.

The traditions of Syttende Mai, including parades, food, activities and music, followed immigrants from Norway into the United States, where there are now dozens of celebrations including in west central Minnesota. And you don't even have to be Norwegian to join in the fun.

This year it all kicks off on May 17 with the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association's annual Syttende Mai meatball supper and entertainment at First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake, 6338 County Road 40 N.W.

Established in 1997, the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association was formed to preserve and share the pioneer history and spirit of the area's Norwegian settlers. Every year it holds a Syttende Mai dinner to mark the important date in Norwegian history.

Macy Moore / West Central Tribune

The celebration starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday with a Norwegian table prayer; visitors can enjoy a catered meatball supper with all the accompaniments including rommegrot, kransekake, krumkakke, lemon bars and more.

The Sunburg Fiddlers will provide the evening’s entertainment. The event is free of charge, though a freewill donation will be collected to help with food costs.

Next up is the annual Syttende Mai celebration in Milan , which was founded in 1879 by Norwegian immigrants. Today, the city is proud of its Norwegian heritage while at the same time opening its doors to others, including a community of more recent immigrants from Micronesia.

Contributed / Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association

Smorgas Tea, featuring a variety of tasty treats, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kviteseid Church fellowship hall. Along Main Street there will be arts and vendors and kids activities starting at 10 a.m., music will begin at noon and the celebration will conclude at 2 p.m. with the annual Syttende Mai parade.

The weekend of Norwegian fun wraps up Sunday with the city of Sunburg's annual celebration. Another town founded by Norwegian immigrants, Sunburg was established in 1916 and continues to honor its Norwegian culture with a full day of Syttende Mai activities.

The events include a 9:30 a.m. non-denominational church service with fiddle music at Hope Lutheran Church, with Norwegian treats and coffee to follow. More fiddle music will continue from 10 a.m. to noon at the shelter next to the baseball field in town. The antique and out-of-the-field tractor pull will start at 10:30 a.m. at the Glacial Plains Co-op. Pullers and spectators are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, as there will be no bleacher seating.

West Central Tribune file photo

A quilt display will be shown from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sunburg Fire Hall, while the Syttende Mai Boutique with various vendors will be open from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Community Center. The Sunburg Trolls Car Club will have its car display starting at noon in downtown Sunburg and the Kultur Haus will be open from noon to 3 p.m. The fiddlers will be back from 1 to 3 p.m. in front of the cafe.

The first pitch of the baseball game between the Norway Lake-Sunburg Lakers and the Starbuck Stars is set for 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Willie Reigstad Park.

The Grande Day parade will begin marching through Sunburg at 3:30 p.m., followed by the firemen's supper of burgers, beans and potato salad at the fire hall. The kids pedal tractor pull will start at 4:30 p.m. behind the fire hall. The raffle prize drawings for the Trolls Car Club will start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the quilt raffle drawing at 6, both taking place at the fire hall.