Syttende Mai

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Festival Events

                                          Download the 2008 Arts & Craft Application

Pre-Fest Events 2008

May 10th, 6:00 pm
Princess Banquet & Coronation at the Westby Area High School’s Cafeteria (advance tickets only).
Coronation following in the Gym (approximately 7:30 pm).

May 15th, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
"All You Can Eat" Pancake Supper sponsored by the Son’s of Norway 457 @ the Rod & Gun Building in Timber Coulee with dance band, Time Travelers to follow.  Button Required..

On Going Events 2008

May 16th & 17th and 18th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Troll Hunt: Clues at Connelly Law Office, 201 Main Street.  Clues posted @ 4pm on Fri., and noon on Sat. and Sun.
Everyone id welcome to participate.

May 17th, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and May 18th, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Arts & Crafts, Commercial Tents: Market Street and West Second Street.

May 17th, 9:00 pm - 4:00 pm and May 18th, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Rosemaler's Heritage Tent: Bekkum Library parking lot. Demonstrations of Norwegian arts including: rosemaling, wood carving, weaving, needlework, Hardangers fiddlemaking, and baking. Also live models with costumes from many districts of Norway (Bunads), and live music!  Sponsored by Fortress Bank. 

May 16 - 18th
Snowflake's Steak Fry: Starting Friday afternoon and continues through the season.  Steak and Golf Dinner Specials.  Located at Snowflake Ski and Golf, Timber Coulee on CTY P, Westby.

May 17th, 9:00am - 4:00pm & May 18th, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Coulee Region Rosemalers 22^th Annual Show & Sale: Lower level of Bekkum Library. Variety of rosemaling, raffle items, music & a Norwegian lunch.

Featured Events

Friday, May 16th, 2008
7:00 am - 9:00 am
Kick Off Breakfast: VFW building at 205 North Main Street. Buffet Style provided by Our Saviors and Westby Coon Prairie Youth. WVRQ Radio “live” with Gary Gilbertson, music by “The Norskedalen Trio."  Sponsored by Westby Syttende Mai.

1:00 pm
Old Time Music Show: Our Saviors Church Basement, button required. Please join this annual event of Scandinavian Classics with over 10 different bands. Dancing and sing-a-long to songs welcomed.  Lunch with Norwegian Goodies.

4:00-7:30pm
Chicken Q: Westby Elementary School Sponsored by I.M.P.A.C.T.

7:30 pm
High School Choral Concert: High School Gym. Men and Women Choirs of Westby Area High School are extremely talented. Over 500 people attend annually. Director: Peter Engh

7:00pm - 10:00pm
Westby High School Art Exhibit: Lobby of Westby High School Gym

8:00 pm - 11:  pm
"Leather 'n Lace" West 2nd Street, Door Prizes, Raffle, and Refreshments. 
Sponsored by I.M.P.A.C.T. and River Bank.

Saturday, May 17th, 2008
7:00 - 10:00 am
Frokøst (Breakfast): United Methodist Church, 202 E. State St., Authentic Norwegian breakfast smorgasbord.  Sponsored by the Westby Sons of Norway Lodge 457.

7:30 am -Register
Bicycle Tour: 30, 60, & 100K routes. Start between 8am - 9am from the historical Thoreson House on Bekkedal Ave. next to the Stabbur Visitor Center. ( Pre-registration $15, day of is $25, Kids under 12 only $2).
Click to download application.

7:00 am - 7:45 am Registration
½ Marathon & 5K Walk/Run: Registration ½ marathon at the Rod & Gun Trap Shoot Building in Timber Coulee., Route goes to beautiful Timber Coulee. ½ Marathon ($25): 8:00am; 5K Run/Walk ($12):9:00am.   Included t-shirt & more! Sponsored by Vernon Memorial Hospital Wellness Center. Call 647-4290 for more information.
Click Here to Pre-register.

10:00am
Golf Tournament: 3 Person best-ball, Pre-registration @ Snowflake Ski and Golf or by calling (608) 634-3211 to enter.

10:00 am
Kiddie Parade: Main Street to Our Saviors Lutheran Church, line up at 9:30am, Bland Clinic parking lot. Awards to follow in the Entertainment Tent on Second Street.  Sponsored by the Westby Lions.

11:00 am- 2:00 pm
Book Signings: With Author Jerry Apps.  Wood Carving demo @ Dregne's Scandinavian Gifts, open Sat. 8:30am - 5pm and Sun. 11am - 4pm.

1:00 - 1:45 pm
Lip Sync Contest: Pre-registration - Contest starts @ 2:00 pm Sharp.   Divided into age groups, contestants will see who can eat the most rommergrot.  Prizes.  Entry fee will be a 2008 Syttende Mai Button.   West Second Street.

12:00
Kiddie Tractor Pull: Registration @ 11:00 am, behind Our Savior's Church.  Sponsored by Nelson Agri-Center, Citizen First Bank-Viroqua.

1:00 pm
Norwegian Olympics: At the ball diamond.  2008 Syttende Mai Button, entry fee.  Sponsored by Kids of Our Saviors.

7:30 pm
FOLKEDANSLAG - Norwegian Dancers from Gjovik, Norway, Westby High School Gymnasium, $5.00 and a 2008 Syttende Mai Button, Kids under 8 are free. (Buttons sold at door)

Sunday, May 18th, 2008
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Church Dinners: Meatballs and all the trimmings!  Our Savior's Lutheran Church & Westby-Coon Prairie Church.

9:00 am - Registration, 10:00 am - Race start
Kid's Bike Race: Place to be announced.  Ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12.  Entry Fee: 1 Syttende Mai Button per family.  Cash prizes for each age group.

11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Royality Tea: Middle School Cafeteria.  Sponsored by Westby Businesses.

12:30 pm
Westby High School Jazz Band: Steps of Our Savior's Church.  Enjoy the timeless classics with our local Jazz Band before the parade.

1:30 pm
Big Parade: Starts on Maple Street to Main Street to West State Street to Prairie St.
Request a Parade Application.

4:00 pm
Raffle Drawings: At the information Booth with the 2008 Princess Court.

4:30 pm
Go Kart Races: behind Nordic Lanes.  www.rivervalleykarting.com