06/05/2026
For many, this is simply a festival. But for those of us who call Story City home, it is so much more. It is a celebration of who we are, where we came from, and the community we continue to build together.
This week is about tradition. It is about honoring the generations before us who dreamed big enough to create something that would bring people together year after year. It is about families making memories, friends reconnecting, and visitors discovering the special spirit that makes Story City unique.
But most importantly, Scandinavian Days is about people.
It is about the volunteers who spend countless hours planning, organizing, setting up, serving, cleaning up, and doing a hundred little things that often go unnoticed. It is about community members who step forward because they believe in preserving traditions and creating opportunities for others to enjoy.
Without volunteers, there is no festival. Without people willing to give their time, energy, and talents, these cherished traditions simply would not exist.
As we welcome thousands of guests to our community this week, I ask that we all lead with kindness. Offer a smile. Extend patience. Say thank you. Support one another. There are many moving pieces and many people working hard behind the scenes to make this celebration possible.
The true magic of Scandinavian Days isn't found in a single event, parade, performance, or activity. It is found in the spirit of community that brings it all together.
Thank you to every volunteer, sponsor, business, organization, staff member, and community member who helps make this tradition possible. You are the reason Scandinavian Days continues to thrive.
Let's celebrate our heritage, embrace our traditions, and show everyone what it means to be Story City Strong and Scandinavian Strong.
Happy Scandinavian Days, everyone! 🇳🇴💖
