The Columbia River provides a backdrop for the 2007 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Court. Pictured are (back row, from left) Senior Court Chaperone Catherine Anderson, Senior Miss Finland Angel Lebo, Senior Miss Norway Janessa Gramson, Senior Miss Denmark Jessi Meyer, Senior Miss Sweden Emily Ogren and Junior Court Chaperone Jennifer Diego, (front row, from left) Junior Miss Finland Stacey Aho, Junior Miss Norway Anna Gimre, Crown Bearer Jacob Olson, Junior Miss Denmark Kaitlyn Landwehr and Junior Miss Sweden Kara Dowaliby. Photo Chris Bryant.

Hej på dej! The 40th annual Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival gets its Nordic on at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday, June 15 through 17.

“The festival has always been absolute delight for all of one’s senses,” said Astoria Scandinavian Festival Association co-chairwoman Katrina Ivanoff, “watching and listening to the coronations, the dancers, singers and musicians, tasting and smelling all the wonderful foods, viewing the wonderful crafts that have been for sale. Many years of festivals are locked away in my memories.”

Regular festival-goers can look forward to enjoying many of the traditional activities at this year’s event, including the coronation of Miss Scandinavia followed by a bonfire, hex burning and dancing at the Queen’s Ball Friday evening, the Optog walking parade and the raising of the Midsummer Pole Saturday, the Pannukakku breakfast followed by an interdenominational worship service Sunday, plus folk dancing, the Barnfest children’s area and a beer garden with live music.

Featured entertainment for the 2007 festival includes Nyt Naura, a three-woman music and comedy act from Michigan infused with plenty of Finnish humor, and musician and comedian Magnus Martensson. Other performers providing live entertainment throughout the weekend include local accordion group Jorgen, Sven and Coreen, accordionists Vern and Jeannie Lindquist, Paul Smith and band, the Hey Guys and Gals band from Portland, J.W.’s Wagon Wheel Band and Finnish singer Maria Mannisto.

Food is always a popular feature, and this year’s offerings include a salmon dinner put on by the Astoria Lions Club, a breakfast and dinner by Scandinavian Café of Vancouver, Wash., and a Swedish pea soup lunch by the local Vasa Lodge. Dozens of food, beverage and craft vendors will also have a smörgåsbord of wares to sample and browse.

Music and comedy trio Nyt Naura (Now Laugh) interject Finnish humor into their songs and skits. Submitted photo.Making its fourth appearance at the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is Sunday’s Running of the Trolls, a walk or run in the Olney countryside with a choice of 1.5-, 3- or 5.75-mile course. Entry fee is $20, which includes an official T-shirt (while supplies last), an entry button to the festival and Sunday parking pass, and a bottle of water. The course is mostly flat with one gradual hill on a scenic country road, with possible troll sightings.

Closing the festival Sunday afternoon will be the drawing for the association’s raffle prizes. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or a book of 15 for $12. The grand prize is two round-trip tickets to Scandinavia, donated by Scandinavian Airlines and the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association. Other prizes have been donated by local organizations.

Swedish-born comedian/musician Magnus Martensson entertains at this year’s festival. Photo from www.acsu.buffalo.eduWeekend festival admission buttons are $6 for adults and $2 for youth ages 6 to 12. Admission for children younger than 5 is free. Parking costs $2 per day or $5 for a weekend pass. For schedule information, visit www.astoriascanfest.org or call the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce at (503) 325-6311.