Solvang, California

Solvang Danish Days Celebration Set for September 19-21, 2014

Solvang, California, USA – The "Danish Capital of America" celebrates its  annual Danish Days from Friday. The event is sponsored by the Danish Days Foundation honoring the establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans in 1911; and to continue preserving the village's authentic Danish heritage. The theme for this year's celebration is "Vikings in Vineland."

Danish and US flags line the streets, people don colorful costumes, and there is folk dancing and entertainment throughout town—such as the Ravens of Odin, a professional Viking re-enactment group that create an authentic encampment; large-scale wood-carving demonstrations; and Randel McGee's Hans Christian Andersen story-telling sessions. Authentic restaurants and bakeries feature tasty cuisine, including aebleskiver (Danish pastry ball) and medisterpølse (Danish sausage). Over a dozen wine tasting rooms offer award-winning vintages from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. Area residents as well as thousands of visitors enjoy the festivities annually.

Here is the tentative Schedule of Events—all are open to public, most are free.


Friday, September 19
4:00 p.m.
Free Concert featuring Sonny Semler in Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive at First Street, downtown

7:30 p.m.
Be a part of the Torchlight Parade! Torchlight Parade (free, all welcome, candles provided) beginning on Alisal Road at Laurel Avenue; strolling south down Alisal and ending at Solvang Park.

8:00 p.m. Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing 2014 Danish Maid. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014
Tentative schedule - events subject to change

Æbleskiver Breakfast
8:30am-12:30pm: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $7 (with Danish sausage, $8).

10:00am – 4:00pm: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGOS and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park.

10:00am – 4:00pm: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org

11:30am: Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street). All ages welcome to attempt to eat the most aebleskiver in 5 minutes!

2:30pm: Danish Days Parade includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers & more. (Line up starts at 1:30pm on First Street between Molle Way and Oak Street ; parade begins by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen; south on Second Street, finishes at corner of Oak Street (near Solvang City Hall). As always, everyone is invited to join the fun! There is NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; applications at www.SolvangDanishDays.com

5:00-10:00pm: **NEW**Solvang 2nd Century Party featuring free, live bands performing on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage, 1639 Copenhagen Drive, downtown Solvang adjacent to the Danish Days’ Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome to the party (must be 21 years or older inside Viking Beer & Wine Garden). Concerts are free and open to the public. All performers are donating their time and talent to the community. Come celebrate Solvang’s 102nd birthday (the 2nd century of Danish-American hospitality). For more information, contact Event Producer Hans Duus at 805-570-0019 or hansduus@gmail.com

6:00-11:00pm: Danish Days Dinner Dance sponsored by the Rebild National Park Society at Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Tickets are $48 per person, with advance reservations required; call Andrew Andersen at 805-688-5157 or Marie Jaeger at 805-688-5448.


SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014
Tentative schedule - events subject to change

8:30am-12:30pm: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $7 (with Danish sausage, $8).

10:00am – 4:00pm: Kid’s Korner featuring LEGOS and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park.

10:00am – 4:00pm: Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org

11:30am: Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street). All ages welcome to attempt to eat the most aebleskiver in 5 minutes!

2:00pm : Children’s Parade starting at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. (All children and families are welcome to join this charming event, no charge, costumes encouraged.)

2:30pm : Danish Days Closing Ceremonies in Solvang Park.

79th Annual Danish Days Celebration, September 18-20, 2015
Come on back next year....

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