The festival celebrates the enduring culture and heritage of the region’s early Scandinavian settlers, tracing their journey from Viking homelands to pioneer life in the American West. Visitors can explore three immersive villages that bring history to life—from the rugged Viking Age to the courageous pioneer immigrants to the rich traditions of Scandinavia that continue to thrive today. Each village offers a hands-on glimpse into the resilience, creativity, and community spirit that define Scandinavian heritage. The Scandinavian Festival stands as a vibrant tribute to Utah’s “Heart of Scandinavia,” uniting the past and present in a joyful celebration of heritage and home.
At the heart of the Scandinavian Festival in Ephraim, Utah, visitors are invited to embark on a unique journey through time, exploring the rich legacy of Scandinavian settlers from their Viking roots to their pioneering journey in America. The festival is brought to life through three distinct villages, each showcasing a different chapter in the story of these resilient peoples who journeyed across the seas and found a new home in Sanpete County.
1. The Viking Village: Echoes of the Old World
Step back in time to the world of the Vikings, where history comes alive through authentic trades, crafts, and activities. The Viking Village is a lively recreation of life in the Viking Age, with skilled artisans demonstrating traditional craftsmanship, from blacksmithing to woodworking. Visitors can watch the forging of weapons and tools, or try their hand at archery and axe throwing. Experience the thrill of the Viking battle arena bringing the strength and valor of the Norse people to life. Be captivated by Norse mythology storytelling, where ancient sagas of gods, heroes, and epic journeys are told under the shade of ancient trees. This village connects visitors to the Viking ancestors who shaped the foundation of Scandinavian culture.
2. The Old Scandinavian Village: Traditions Across the Ages
From the fierce warriors of the past, we move to a more peaceful time in the Old Scandinavian Village, where the traditions of food, crafts, and culture continue to thrive. This village is a vibrant celebration of Scandinavian heritage, with talented crafters and vendors offering an array of traditional foods, hand-crafted goods, and unique gifts. Savor authentic Scandinavian treats, from rich Norwegian lefse to hearty Swedish meatballs. Explore a variety of handcrafted items that reflect the beauty and practicality of Scandinavian craftsmanship. The village also features engaging storytelling, where you can hear tales passed down through generations, reflecting the enduring spirit of Scandinavian communities. It’s a place to connect with the traditions that have traveled across continents, from the shores of Scandinavia to the heart of Utah.
3. The Pioneer Village: A Journey to a New Home
The final stop on your journey brings you to the Pioneer Village, where the Scandinavian settlers’ story continues in the American West. As they made their way to Ephraim. “little Denmark,” and the surrounding areas, they built a new life in the rugged mountains of Utah. In this village, you can trace your own Scandinavian ancestry and explore the challenges and triumphs of the pioneers who settled in this land. Experience old-fashioned pioneer games, visit the Pioneer Museum to see artifacts and stories of the early settlers, and enjoy the charm of a petting zoo that brings you closer to life on the frontier. The Ephraim Library Kids Center inside the Ephraim Community Center offers a delightful space for young explorers to engage in crafts, games, and stories, providing a hands-on experience of life in Little Denmark.
Together, these three villages tell a vibrant story of a people who journeyed from the shores of Scandinavia to the plains and mountains of America, preserving their culture and passing it down to future generations. Whether you’re participating in a Viking battle, tasting traditional foods, or learning about your own ancestry, the Scandinavian Festival offers a deep and immersive connection to the enduring spirit of the Scandinavian people in Ephraim, Utah.
The Vikings of Utah were first invited to join the Scandinavian Festival in 2022. Since then, the group has grown a bit each year, offering something fun, educational and engaging to guests and fans of Norse heritage, culture and history.
The Vikings of Utah Historical Group is an authentic, living Norse-Viking camp experience put on by local, fun & talented members, who are dedicated to the preserving and teaching of history, historical arts, craft and skill. The group was founded by Stacy Russon in 2016 and has been a unique and exciting feature to several Utah events, festivals and school activities. We hope you come and enjoy the fun and activities the Viking camp has to offer!
Friday 12-8pm
12:30 Stinky Fish Chest Game
1:30 Viking Soap
2:00 Blazing Shield Forge
2:30 Loom & Ancient Textiles
3:00 Stinky Fish Chest Game
4:00 Beard Contest
5:00 Loom & Ancient Textiles
5:30 Lucet Class
6:00 Blazing Shield Forge
7:00 Nordic Song Performance
Saturday 9-5pm
10:00 Loom & Ancient Textiles
10:30 Lucet Class
11:00 Viking Soap
11:30 Stinky Fish Chest Game
12:30 Blazing Shield Forge
1:00 Loom & Ancient Textiles
1:30 Stinky Fish Chest Game
2:00 Nordic Song Performance
2:30 Lucet Class
3:00 Blazing Shield Forge
3:30 Stinky Fish Chest Game
4:00 Beard Contest
On-going features:
Located in front of the Snow College Noyes Building, this food court features unique Scandinavian foods for your enjoyment. Vendors in the food court include:
Village Open Friday 12:00 Noon-8:00 pm & Saturday 9:00 am-6:00pm
NOTICE: We have moved to the East Side of the Noyes Building. The Scandinavian Village now has food vendors and more of your favorite Scandinavian Artisans.
DEMONSTRATION BOOTHS (Ongoing)
Wood Working
Tatting
Viking Jewelry
Swedish Rug Weaving
Barnwood Frames
Wool to Yarn
Handanqen
Crochet
Aebleskivers
Krumkaker
ALSO FIND IN THE SCANDINAVIAN VILLAGE
Scandinavian Folktales Storytelling
Friday 2 pm & 4:30 pm
Saturday 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Gnome Hunt: Find 12 little Gnomes hiding in the Village
Swedish Maypole
With the closing of the Ephraim Co-op, the Sanpete Trade Association that was once housed in the Co-op building is alive and well in the Scandinavian Village. Many of our crafters are there to demonstrate their crafts, and have items available to buy. The ladies that started the Scandinavian Festival as a fundraiser to get new roofs for the Co-op and Granary are the ones that created the Sanpete Trade Association, so our organization’s women are responsible for the 50 years of festival that we enjoy today!!
Our woodworker Russ was one of our most popular crafters, especially around our Scandinavian Festival. He has swords, hatchets, shields, and all kinds of other wood gifts that you might like.
Our jam maker Pam will be there with all kinds of Scandinavian items to purchase including wood burning items and of course, her famous jams. There will also be horseshoe art available.
We have a tatter that will demonstrate her craft, Swedish rug weaving, wool to yarn demo, We also have a blacksmith on site.
The STA ( formerly Ephraim Co-op) booth will include your favorite Lingonberry and Cloudberry jams, Scandinavian table runners, festival shirts and collectors pins. Aebleskiver pans!!!! Collectibles of many kinds, and also our Viking dolls!! We also will have an area to hold your items if you choose not to carry them around until it’s time for you to leave.
Last, but certainly not least are our AEBLESKIVERS!! Freshly made at the booth using the original recipes, not pancake batter!! For baked goods, the Scandinavian Village has you covered!!
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Pioneer Games & Demonstrations
Pioneer Museum & Cabin Tours
Food Vendors with delicious festival food
Hygge Center inside Ephraim Community Center –sponsored by Ephraim Library
Find My Scandinavian Ancestors -sponsored by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
EVENTS AT PIONEER PARK
FRIDAY MAY 22
Pioneer Storytelling – 1 pm & 3:45 pm
Corn Hole Tournament – 5:00 pm
Movie in the Park “How To Train Your Dragon (2025)” - 8:30 pm
Sponsored by Custom Electrical
SATURDAY MAY 23
BYU Dancers & Danish Dancing Lesson – 11:15 am
Pioneer Storytelling - 1 pm & 4 pm
Located in the Ephraim Community Center at Pioneer Park, the Hygge Center provides a place for families to escape the elements and relax together. In the center, you will find:
-Mother’s Lounges for nursing mothers
-Trivia to entertain all ages
-Free Viking themed temporary tattoos
-A water station
-Relaxing music from Scandinavia
-Coloring pages
Located in the Pioneer Park 42 North 100 West Ephraim. Come and stroll along our new sidewalks throughout the park. Sit in the shade on the conveniently located benches. Bring the family and have a picnic! Many service hours have gone into making Pioneer Park a hidden gem in our little community.
The objective of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers
– perpetuate the names and achievements of the men, women and children who were the pioneers in founding this commonwealth
– Preserving old landmarks
– Marking historical places
– Collecting artifacts and histories
– Establishing photographs, maps and all such data as shall aid in perfecting a record of the Utah pioneers
Hans Hansen House
Hans A. Hansen was born in Denmark and immigrated to Utah in 1853. This American 1 and 1/2 story home with a central passageway plan was one of the first large homes built outside of the fort. He painted the doors with green paint he had brought from Denmark. The interior carved circular staircase was constructed of pine and consists of three sections expertly joined by master carpenter and painted to resemble oak. The center passageway and upstairs rooms and halls retain the original oak-grained woodwork. The exterior of the house is of adobe – a rough, mud brick-plastered over, and back then, was carefully scored off to simulate stone masonry with incised lines painted red. The home underwent a renovation I 2020/2021 and is now a modern museum housing many wonderful pioneer artifacts from our community.
Peace Treaty Tree
This is where Canute Peterson and Chief Black Hawk agreed on peace in our community. The Chief and his group went to each community and “smoked the peace pipe”. Efforts were made to save the tree but were unsuccessful.
Bailey Cabin
Anders Christensen built this as a granary. It has a unique narrow tongue and groove ceiling that is still in its original state. Frank Bailey married Anders’ daughter and this became their home. Later it was called the “Honeymoon Cottage” because many Bailey family members started their married lives there. It has been used as a granary, home, and shop. It was moved to Pioneer Park in the early 90’s. it stood vacant and was being being vandalized until the Fort Ephraim DUP purchased it for $150. It has new floors , doors, and interior paint. It is filled with artifacts lovingly donated by Ephraim descendants, and cared for by the D.U.P.
Sorensen Cabin
Soren A. Sorensen built this cabin in 1879 on third South and Main Street. This cabin was preserved through the efforts of the City Council and DUP. After moving it to the Pioneer Park and decorated for Scandinavian Festival, it was vandalized, marked with graffiti and fire was set by an arsonist, which destroyed a portion of the new roof, east walls and floor. The quick actions of nearby citizens and merchant saved the cabin.
Water Wagon
This water wagon was used to build the roads in the early days of Ephraim.
Millstone
Marcus & Christine Hermansen converted to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark, and immigrated to Utah in 1886. Marcus had owned a windmill flour mill in Byrsted, Denmark. After arriving in Salt Lake City, they eventually made their way to Ephraim where Marcus was offered the position of running a little burr mill that was already in operation. The mill was known as the climax mill. The climax mill was a new type for Marcus to operate. This burr mill was named for the burr stones which were used to grind flour. These stones were a very special, hard type of stone found only in buhr, France. They were chiseled to be large, flat, and round. The flat sides were corrugated with a little crevice cut in one side of one stone and were put together so as to have an agitating motion to grind the wheat. When it was fine enough, the wheat (flour) went out through the little crevice ready to be sacked. These stones were made in many sizes usually ranging from 12 to 48 inches but could be up to 60 inches. These larger 60 inch stones were used the most here. as you can imagine, this was a slow process for making flour. The climax mill was located across the creek from guard knoll southeast of Ephraim. A group of men later built a new mill above the burr mill where the water ran more swiftly. The new mill made the burr mill obsolete, as the new mill was run by a water wheel.
Jensen Granary
This property was first deeded to Hans C. Jensen by George Taylor, Mayor of Ephraim City on January 17, 1872 (Block 14, Lot 2). At that time the property included the Ross P. Findlay Lot. Granary was moved to Pioneer Memorial Park in July 2003.
Hans came to Utah from Denmark and married Nellie Lundstein who came from Sweden. Hans ran the Christian Williardsen Lumber Mill located Southeast of Ephraim just below what was known as Guard Knoll. He milled the lumber for the home, granary and barn. The rock for the barn and the home were obtained from the Quarry in Pigeon Hollow. The barn was subsequently torn down by the City. The home, granary and barn were built by A. C. Nielson (called Mormon Preacher by the people of Ephraim).
Hans and Nellie had 10 children and they all lived in the Granary. Nellie died with the birth of her tenth child. One of the ten children was Amelia Dorothy Christina Jensen who married Christian Bjerregaard and one of their children was Helen Bjerregaard Rigby. Helen’s tireless work was instrumental in the initiation and success of the Ephraim Senior Center.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bus Tours last approximately 50-60 minutes. Participants will be on the bus the entire time and will receive a bus tour through parts of Ephraim, viewing historic sites, buildings, and homes that highlight the early history of the town and its Scandinavian settlers. Examples include the dugout site of Ephraim’s first resident (Isaac Behunin), pioneer cabins, and 19th century prominent homes.
TOUR START TIMES
12 pm & 2 pm
TICKET PRICE & PURCHASE LOCATION: Tickets can be purchased for $5.00 per person at the information booth. Young children who sit on a parents lap will ride at no cost (free).
BOARDING LOCATION: The bus will be boarded at the northwest corner of College Ave (100 N) and 100 East.
A FEW BUS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Ephraim Co-op Building (96 N. Main)
Built in 1871-72, the Ephraim Co-Op building was a cooperative store for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While the ground floor was used for merchandise, the upper floor was a meeting hall and even housed the Sanpete Stake Academy (later called Snow College). Much of the building is built with Sanpete oolitic limestone. Today the Co-op building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
John Dorius Jr. Home (46 W 100 N)
Considered one of the most beautiful 19th century homes in the valley, this Victorian style home was believed to be the first residence in Ephraim to have indoor plumbing and a furnace. Dorius Jr. was a prominent businessman who had it designed in 1897 with a roof turret, a wrap-around porch, and detailed with beautiful ornamental trim. It has seen many owners over the years and served many purposes, from Ephraim’s first hospital and doctor’s office, to its first public library and home to several Snow College presidents.
Pioneer Park with the Hansen House museum, Black Hawk Peace Treaty Monument, & Pioneer cabins. This monument marks a tree where settlers and Ute Indian representatives met to sign a peace treaty ending the Black Hawk War. Today the tree still stands but due to fire and time is no longer a living tree.
Cabins & Granary built by earliest Ephraim settlers are preserved in Pioneer Park. They are open for tours during the Scandinavian Heritage Festival.
