Flekkefest ‘24 set to kick off in Elbow Lake

Jake Sias

Grant County Herald

Elbow Lake is set to host the annual Flekkefest celebration from August 1-4, 2024, offering a variety of events and activities that cater to all ages. This festival, rooted in the local Scandinavian heritage, promises a vibrant mix of cultural experiences, entertainment, and community engagement.

The festivities commence on Thursday, August 1, with the Little Miss Flekkefest pageant at 7 p.m. in the Community Building. This event marks the beginning of a weekend filled with diverse activities spread across multiple venues.

Friday, August 2, kicks off with Crazy Days on Main Street and city-wide rummage sales, both lasting all day. The Grant County Museum will host an “Oldies But Goodies” sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a range of vintage items. Concurrently, the Library Bazaar in the Library Courtyard runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a used book sale, mini golf, root beer floats, temporary tattoos, and face painting.

The European Kaffe Haus in the Community Building will operate from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing a taste of European café culture. Model train enthusiasts can visit the Elbow Lake Model Train Replica at 225 Division St W during the same hours. An Arts & Crafts Fair on the Courthouse lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will showcase local artisans’ works.

The Great Snoose Box Hunt begins at 10 a.m. at the Grant County Herald, followed by Taste of Scandinavia at Hans House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where traditional Scandinavian dishes will be served. Courthouse tours will be available hourly from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Live music by “Bruce & Tiki D” will entertain visitors on the Library lawn from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meanwhile, families can enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo near the Community Building from noon to 4 p.m. GAMES TO GO inflatables in Soo Park will provide fun for children during the same hours.

The evening features the Flekkefest Food Fest at Veterans Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering a variety of food vendors and live music by the “Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboys.” The day concludes with a street dance featuring the “Out of Line” band at the Knotty Pine parking lot at 9 p.m.

Saturday, August 3, starts with a softball tournament at Athletic Park, running all day. Crazy Days and rummage sales continue, along with the 5K Run/Walk and 1K Kids Fun Run at 8 a.m. from Athletic Park. The European Kaffe Haus and Library Bazaar will reopen from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Elbow Lake Model Train Replica will be accessible from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Arts & Crafts Fair continues on the Courthouse lawn from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Grant County Museum hosts another “Oldies But Goodies” sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A classic car show at the State Farm Insurance lot and a Kids Fingerprint/ID event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. are also scheduled. The Taste of Scandinavia resumes at Hans House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Courthouse tours continue hourly from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sidewalk Chalk Contest at the Grant County Offices on Central Ave runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with registration required by 10:45 a.m.

At noon, author Jeanne Cooney will be in the Sanford Room for a book signing. Pony rides, a petting zoo, and GAMES TO GO inflatables return to the Community Building area and Soo Park from noon to 4 p.m. The Cornhole Tournament at the Knotty Pine parking lot begins at 1 p.m., with registration at 12:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., “Life Along the Abercrombie Trail” will be presented at the Grant County Museum.

The Flekkefest Parade starts at 5 p.m., moving from the school to Main Street, Division, and ending at Veterans Park. Following the parade, the Firehouse Feast at the Fire Hall offers steak sandwiches and family entertainment until 8 p.m. The Slow Bike Race at the Fire Hall begins at 7 p.m., with registration at 6:30 p.m. Karaoke with Rachel Sings at the Knotty Pine starts at 8 p.m., leading into the fireworks over Flekkefjord Lake at dusk.

Sunday, August 4, wraps up the festival with a community worship service at Tipsinah Mounds Campground at 10 a.m. The Lions Fish Fry at the Fire Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. offers a delicious meal, and the festival concludes with the Big Drawing for Flekkefest Button Prizes, a Sister City Trip, and Chamber prizes at 1 p.m. in the Fire Hall.