Many of Nordic Fest's most popular features date to the very first Fest

(Photo from the Vesterheim archives of the first Nordic Fest board)

Decorah resident Jerry Aulwes raised his hand at a Jaycees meeting in 1966 when volunteers were sought to study an idea for Decorah to celebrate its Nordic ties.

Five Jaycees, led by Mike Dahly, formed the core of a committee that led to the very first Nordic Fest in 1967.  Looking back on the first of 50 Nordic Fests, Aulwes says the Jaycees were just concerned about getting the first Nordic Fest off the ground and weren't thinking of what the future would hold.

The date was picked by Vesterheim Museum Director Marion Nelson, who looked at meteorological records for Decorah and discovered the last weekend in July had the least rainfall of any weekend of the year.

Many of the most popular features of Nordic Fest were invented by that committee for the first Fest.  There was a Nordic Fest parade, Nordic Fest food booths, Nordic music and a torchlight parade followed by fireworks.

The very first Nordic Fest was a huge success--over 10,000 people visited Decorah on that first weekend--and Decorah has been celebrating its Nordic ties ever since.