"This doesn't look like Kansas, Toto." ~ Dorothy, in the Wizard of Oz
Well, here we are on Day 2 of my Dream Destinations week. I hope that yesterday's jaunt to Graceland didn't cause you to lose faith in journeying with me. I know that Graceland is the epitome of gaudy ostentatiousness, but, come on....it's Elvis.
However, for those with more sophisticated tastes, who desire culture and refinement, today's foray may be just the thing to redeem myself!
Dream Destination #2: Svensk Hyllningsfest in Lindsborg, Kansas
It is my opinion that nothing screams cultural diversity more than a town of 3500 Swedish descendants celebrating their heritage at a traditional Swedish Honoring Festival in the fall.....in KANSAS. Seriously speaking, I am sure that our Amer-Asian family will drastically change the town's demographics when we show up, just by increasing the number of brunettes in Lindsborg. But, I am also sure that Lindsborg may be the closest retreat we have to a foreign country and well worth the travel into the flatlands of Kansas.
I look forward to attending the festival in October of this year. They already have a whole schedule of events for the weekend of the Svensk Hyllningsfest, including, but not limited to smorgasbord, folk dancing, clogging (by a traditional Swedish group from the booming metropolis of Marquette, KS, population 641), folk dancing, arts and crafts, folk dancing, smorgasbord, folk dancing WITH the audience, smorgasbord and folk dancing! Yes, there'll be swingin', swayin', records playin'...."dansing" in the street! And food.
And apparently a Dala Horse hunt. Not to eat. Just to find. There are many, many Dalas all over town and so the challenge is to see how many you can find. Including the City Hall Dala - Fala, the Dala Brick Road. No joke. That is the town's most famous Dala Horse! In Kansas....get it? Oh those riotous Swedes!
Besides going to Lindsborg for their festival and their obvious sense of wit and whimsy, I would like to visit some of their Top 5 Attractions (which actually lists dozens of attractions, which tells me the Swedes of Lindsborg know how to have a good time...but not how to count). Fine dining abounds in this quaint village on the prairie, with the #1 offering on Lindsborg's website being Bethany College's cafeteria. The only pitfall here, besides the fact that it is a school lunch, is that you can only dine here during the school year. If you visit Lindsborg during the summer, you will have to settle for fare from one of the other fine eating establishments, such as Casey's Carryout Pizza. I wonder if Casey serves that with Lingonberry jam.
Number 2 on the list of attractions in Lingsborg, or Little Sweden as the locals call it, is Coronado Heights. This winner of one of Kansas' 8 Wonders of Kansas Geography is supposedly a historical and natural delight. My guess is that it is on the 8 Wonders list because it is Coronado HEIGHTS, which in a state as flat as Kansas, is saying something.
The third attraction list is of art galleries in the town. After all the dancing and smorgasbording I intend to do in October in Little Sweden, I do not know how much time I will have to observe art, but I am going to be sure to make time to visit Hemsljod, "An Adventure in Swedish Tradition", which made the list of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Customs list, for it's traditional and pop art Dala Horse Factory! This gallery also makes the #4 attraction category of Swedish Gift Shops.
And finally on their top 5 attractions list, Lindsborg has many historical buildings and walking tours to offer. None of which sound as fun a ride on Fala, the Dala Brick Road, or smorgasbord.
As you can see, Lindsborg, is in no shortage of class and culture. Enjoy the following video so you, too can plan a visit to Little Sweden on the Prairie.
Let me know what you think in the comments because right now, I
Jag Maste Mosey! (Gotta Mosey!)
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