Solvang Danish Days Celebration Set for September 18-20, 2009

Solvang, California, USA – The "Danish Capital of America" celebrates its 73rd annual Danish Days from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2009. 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 2009 Schedule of Events—all are open to public, most are free.

Friday, September 18, 2009 Highlights

4:00 pm ~Free Concert in Solvang Park by Sonny Semler

7:30 pm ~Torchlight Parade beginning on Alisal Road at Laurel Street and ending at Solvang Park followed by
8:00pm ~Opening Ceremonies introducing 2009 Danish Maid Kayley Place, 16-year old junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Velkommen Street Dance follows with dancers performing to live music.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 Highlights
8:30am-12:30pm ~Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).
10:00am-4:00pm ~Kid's Kornerand the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park
10:00am-4:00pm ~Danish Living History Demonstrations; Elverhoj Museum,1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211
11:30am ~Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First St.)2:30pm ~Danish Days Parade includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, the Solvang Village Dancers, Great Danes, Solvang Village Singers & mere
6:00pm-11:00pm ~Danish Days Dinner Dance sponsored by the Rebild National Park Society at Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Reservations required, call Erik Pedersen at 805-688-3573.

Sunday, September 20, 2009 Highlights

8:30am-12:30pm ~Aebleskiver Breakfaston Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).
10:00am-4:00pm ~Kid's Kornerand the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park
10:00am-4:00pm ~Danish Living History Demonstrations; Elverhoj Museum,1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211
11:30am ~Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street)
2:00pm ~Children's Parade starting at Atterdag Square down Copenhagen Drive to Solvang Park.
2:30pm ~Closing Ceremonies in Solvang Park with a performance by the comedy duo Grinn & Barrett.
 

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