Lindsborg Celebrates Swedish Heritage This Weekend at Svensk Hyllningsfest
Biennial festival transforms "Little Sweden" with folk dancing, traditional costumes, and community spirit October 17-18
LINDSBORG, KS — The small town of Lindsborg will come alive with Swedish culture this weekend as residents don traditional folk costumes and welcome visitors for the 2025 Svensk Hyllningsfest, a biennial celebration honoring the Swedish pioneers who settled the Smoky Valley more than 150 years ago.
The festival, held Friday and Saturday, October 17-18, transforms the community into a living tribute to the immigrants who arrived in 1868-1869, featuring authentic folk dancing, ethnic music, traditional Swedish foods, and handcrafted arts.
Folk dancing takes center stage throughout the weekend, showcasing performers from eager elementary students who have spent months in rehearsal to the accomplished Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers and their adult counterparts, the Lindsborg Folkdanslag. Their colorful costumes and enthusiastic performances capture the authentic spirit of Swedish traditions.
Live demonstrations offer visitors hands-on experiences with Swedish cooking techniques, traditional crafts, and the intricate details of folk costume design. The festival's signature parade features area marching bands, elaborately decorated floats, antique automobiles, and other entries winding through downtown Lindsborg.
Local vendors will offer special Swedish foods and crafts, while musicians perform traditional ethnic music throughout the festival grounds.
The Svensk Hyllningsfest Committee, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, remains dedicated to preserving and providing educational opportunities associated with Swedish-American heritage in Central Kansas's Smoky Valley region.
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