Scandihoovian Winter Festival
January 31- February 2 | 2020
The first weekend in February, the people of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, don their red pointy hats as they celebrate the town's Scandinavian heritage. Join in the fun! Sign up for the adult spelling bee, go frozen turkey bowling, play family broom ball, or enjoy a candlelight ski.
With plenty to do inside and outside, join us as we celebrate
winter like true Scandihoovians!
With plenty to do inside and outside, join us as we celebrate
winter like true Scandihoovians!
Red Hats
In Norway and Denmark, red pointy hats are worn by the nisse. In Sweden they’re worn by the tomte. In Mount Horeb, they’re worn by anyone who wants to join the fun of the Scandihoovian Winter Festival weekend. Festival organizers like the playfulness of the hats and the bond they have come to represent. We’re here to celebrate our
community and our heritage.
Buy Your Red Hat now!
community and our heritage.
Buy Your Red Hat now!
Festival History
Sometime in 2011, local merchants and citizens noticed a familiar pattern that always emerged after the holidays -- people got cranky. Determined to do something about it, someone in that bunch uttered five fateful words:
"We should have a festival."
Rather than a winter version of a summer carnival, festival founders had a different kind of idea. They believed a variety of unique events would get people out of their homes to meet and talk to their neighbors, to welcome visitors and, as a bonus,
make people way less cranky.
Creative Mount Horeb residents made some inspired choices for indoor and outdoor events and activities -- a spelling bee for adults, broom ball on nearby Stewart Lake, frozen turkey bowling at the local skating rink, a fat tire bike race, Norwegian fiddlers, and many more. Ideas came from throughout the community and a village-wide festival was born. The festival even has its own signature wardrobe item -
the red hat that celebrates the area's Scandinavian heritage.
So don a red hat, find an event - or several - and enjoy winter the Scandihoovian way.
No crankiness allowed.
"We should have a festival."
Rather than a winter version of a summer carnival, festival founders had a different kind of idea. They believed a variety of unique events would get people out of their homes to meet and talk to their neighbors, to welcome visitors and, as a bonus,
make people way less cranky.
Creative Mount Horeb residents made some inspired choices for indoor and outdoor events and activities -- a spelling bee for adults, broom ball on nearby Stewart Lake, frozen turkey bowling at the local skating rink, a fat tire bike race, Norwegian fiddlers, and many more. Ideas came from throughout the community and a village-wide festival was born. The festival even has its own signature wardrobe item -
the red hat that celebrates the area's Scandinavian heritage.
So don a red hat, find an event - or several - and enjoy winter the Scandihoovian way.
No crankiness allowed.
In the News
|
Read about the festival in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Chicago Tribune. Read about the Scandihoovian Spelling Bee in Isthmus. |
|
About Mount Horeb
Velkommen to the Troll Capital of the World®!
Located just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, Mount Horeb is a unique place, both in what you will find and whom you will find. The people of Mount Horeb are proud of their Norwegian heritage, and in celebration, the main street is lined with carved trolls who are said to protect the village's many treasures, including the jovial and friendly "villagers" who call Mount Horeb home. Their joy is infectious - the village welcomes visitors and make them feel like a part of the community.
After taking part in the Scanidhoovian Festival, grab a bite to eat at one of Mount Horeb's many delicious cafes and eateries, gourmet restaurants, or at the village's world-class brewpub, The Grumpy Troll. Travel back in time at the Driftless Historium Museum, or unwind at a local hotel or vacation rental.
And while you're at it, book your next summer vacation -
there's something to explore in every season!
Located just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, Mount Horeb is a unique place, both in what you will find and whom you will find. The people of Mount Horeb are proud of their Norwegian heritage, and in celebration, the main street is lined with carved trolls who are said to protect the village's many treasures, including the jovial and friendly "villagers" who call Mount Horeb home. Their joy is infectious - the village welcomes visitors and make them feel like a part of the community.
After taking part in the Scanidhoovian Festival, grab a bite to eat at one of Mount Horeb's many delicious cafes and eateries, gourmet restaurants, or at the village's world-class brewpub, The Grumpy Troll. Travel back in time at the Driftless Historium Museum, or unwind at a local hotel or vacation rental.
And while you're at it, book your next summer vacation -
there's something to explore in every season!
The Scandihoovian Winter Festival is made possible by our generous community!
Thank you to our sponsors and participating businesses!
Thank you to our sponsors and participating businesses!
Want to become a sponsor? Contact us!