A Smorgasbord of Scandinavian Fun
13th annual Scandinavian Festival Atlanta celebrates cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden

Atlanta, GA (July 18, 2007) - Visit Scandinavia without leaving the U.S. during the 13th annual Scandinavian Festival Atlanta which takes place Saturday, October 13, 2007, on the campus of Oglethorpe University. Nine Georgia Scandinavian clubs participate in organizing this fun, family-friendly event which showcases the best of the five Nordic countries--Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

   The previous Scandinavian Festival Atlanta was held in Fall 2005 and marked an exciting move from its former location at the Cobb County Civic Center to the Oglethorpe University campus. While that year's festival was the biggest yet in terms of activities and attendance, the all-volunteer board decided everyone needed a break so 2006 activities were scaled down to a big party with soccer games among the nations and food. Scandinavian Festival Atlanta marks a return to the full festival with all the activities attendees have grown to love.

   "The festival in 2005 and the break in 2006 were both investments on the future, and that future starts today," says Ed From, this year's festival chairman. "Scandinavian Festival Atlanta is back and bigger and better than ever in 2007 with the support of some exciting major new sponsors such as Delta Air Lines, IKEA, Nokia Siemans Networks and Volvo. We thank them for their generous support."

   Scandinavian Festival Atlanta 2007 will be jam-packed with live music and entertainment, including the popular Scandans folk-dancing troupe from Raleigh, North Carolina, New York-based accordionist duo Smorgasbandet, Minneapolis-based folk music group Spelmanslag, Atlanta-based Scandinavian men’s choir Vasa Dranger, the Georgia Brass Band and special performances of "Miss Julie" and "The Stronger" by renowned Swedish playwright August Strindberg performed by Oglethorpe's Theater Department. 

   More festivities will include a Viking encampment; trolls; Danish hotdogs, IKEA's signature Swedish meatballs and other Scandinavian delights; storytelling; children's games; arts and crafts; the popular raffle; a soccer tournament; a vendors market offering hard-to-find Scandinavian products; a cultural area where one can learn about the five countries; the first Atlanta appearance of the world's most famous Finn, Santa Claus; and much more. 

   Special guests will include members of the Swedish Council of America, which will be holding its annual meeting in Atlanta that weekend. An umbrella organization for about 200 Swedish-American organizations in the U.S., Canada and Sweden, the Swedish Council promotes knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the Swedish heritage in American life and works to strengthen contemporary cultural and educational ties between North America and Sweden.

   For Festival updates and participation options, please visit www.scandga.org/ScandinavianFestival , call (678) 315-4997 or email info@scandga.org.