This Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2, mark the annual Scandinavian Festival at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church at 1772 Prytania at Felicity Street in the Lower Garden District.
A plethora of Scandinavian delicacies at the Norwegian Seamen's Church.
We’re used to crawfish, bayou, BBQ, blues, tomato and Italian and everything-in-between festivals, but the Scandinavian Festival stirs something into the mix of the city’s celebrations that’s a little different.
If you want a special and unique Christmas gift—including high quality sweaters, jewelry, candles, baby and children’s clothing, pewterware, scarfs, hats, gloves, decorative items, vases, glassware and other fine items from Scandinavia, this is the place to find them.
But Scan Fest is also famous for its unique food items: open-face sandwiches, Scandinavian meatballs, cheeses, homemade breads and rolls, cold salads, fish; plus delectable homemade pastries, desserts, cakes, pies, cookies and just-made tiny sweet waffles, a staple of Norwegian hospitality. All food items are prepared by church members fresh and are available at the festival or to take home.
The Norwegian Seamen’s Church also regularly stocks specialty food items from Norway, like lingonberries, homemade bread, sausages, and brunost or “brown cheese,” made from goats’ milk. It has a slightly salty and surprisingly sweet flavor that’s almost fudgey in consistency. Delicious!
If it’s festival, there must be music. Scan Fest offers jazz from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday featuring Danish-born Lars Edegran; jazz by the Scandinavian All-stars on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring Norbert Susemihl, Christian Winther, Katja Toivola, Orange Kellin, Jason Marsalis, Steve Pistorius and Nathan Lambertson.
While the food and sale is completed on Saturday, the church has a Jazz Service on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Leroy Jones/Katja Toivola Quartet, followed by a Scandinavian lunch and homemade cake and coffee.
Scan Fest is very kid-friendly, and the church has a small playground for children as well as a swimming pool. On Saturday there will be a treasure hunt, folk tales and games for kids from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call (504) 525-3602 or go here.
