Syttende Mai

Norwegian Constitution Day or "grunnlovsdag," commonly known as "Syttende Mai" or the 17th of May is a celebration of the day in 1814 when Norway’s constitution was signed in the town of Eidsvoll, Norway.

In the Greater Seattle area, the day has been celebrated since 1889 with proclamations, speeches and a parade. The 17th of May Festival is sponsored by the Norwegian 17th of May Committee, an independent, nonprofit organization founded to commemorate Norwegian Constitution Day.

A cooperative effort with Viking Community Bank, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, the Ballard Merchants Association, the Nordic Heritage Museum, Norwegian groups throughout the Greater Seattle area, Norwegian and many community groups. The planning begins the day after the parade and goes on all year long.

May 17th 2008

Parade @  3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Participate in the Parade!
Children’s organizations are encouraged to participate along with classes from elementary schools and school bands. Many Scandinavian organizations also participate.

Location
The parade starts near Adams School in Ballard, at the corner of NW 62nd and 24th Avenue NW. The route follows south to Market Street and eastward to Bergen Place. 

Lunch And Dance

Lunch @ 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M.
Menu: Baked salmon, buttered parsley potatoes, broccoli, carrots and cauliflower, fresh garden salad, rolls & butter, almond cake for dessert. Mmmm!

Tickets: Tickets may be purchased in person at Viking Bank (Mon-Fri from 9 am to 5 pm) or you may send a self-addressed envelope and check made payable to 17th of May Committee to:

Viking Bank
Attn: Elizabeth
P.O. Box 70546
Seattle, WA 98107

Cost: $25 per person
Special Guest: Hanne Krogh.

Dance
Dance the night away!
Band: Miles from Chicago

Time: 7:00 Norwegian folk dance class; 8:00 P.M. to Midnight open dance
No-host bar (beer and wine).
Cost: $20 at the door. Must be 21 years of age or older.

Location: Leif Erikson Hall.

Norwegian Fjord Horses And Dinner

Norwegian Fjord Horses @ 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
The Ballard Fjord Horse Committee (BFH) and the Pacific Northwest Fjord Horse Promotional Group (PNFPG) have invited the public to meet a small group of Norwegian Fjord horses.

Cost: Free.

Dinner @ 6:00 pm
The Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) and Nordic Heritage Museum (NHM) will host a dinner at the museum. The museum exhibits will be open and included in the price.

Special Guest: Grand Marshal Hanne Krogh, popular Norwegian recording artist.
Cost: $45 ($50 at the door). Free for children under 10. Tickets can be purchased at Viking Bank (M-F; 9:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M.).

Location: Nordic Heritage Museum.

Children's Games @ 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Children can enjoy traditional games from Norway and the United States. The games are free and all participants receive awards. A surprise guest is usually on hand to delight one and all. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Location: Ballard Community Center.

At Bergen Place - 10:30 A.M - 3:00 P.M.
On parade day, there are public performances at Bergen Place featuring a variety of entertainment from Norway and other Nordic countries. This year's acts are:

10:30 A.M. Leikarringen of Leif Erikson Lodge
11:00 A.M. Nordic Reflections, accordionists
12:00 P.M. Salem String Band
12:30 P.M. Anna & Ingrid, violinists
1:00 P.M. Ferkingstad Skole from Karmøy
1:30 P.M. Leikarringen of Portland
2:00 P.M. Seattle Civic Band

Saturday May 17, 2008
Locations:
Nordic Heritage Museum
3014 NorthWest 67th Street,
Seattle, WA 98117.

Bergen Place
5420 22nd Avenue North West,
Seattle, WA 98107.

Leif Erikson Hall
2245 North West 57th Street,
Seattle, WA 98107.

Ballard Community Center
6020 28th Avenue North West,
Seattle, WA 98107.