Bunads, Norwegian Waffles & More At Scandinavian Heritage Fair Underway In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Scandinavian crafts, foods and traditional clothing will be celebrated at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo during the annual Scandinavian Heritage Fair.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is hosted by Daughters of Norway Turid Jespersen Lodge No. 44.

According to former president Karen Qualseth Schulte, the annual fair is open to everyone — not just those with Scandinavian roots.

"You don’t have to be Scandinavian to attend the fair," Qualseth Schulte told Patch. "We’re looking more for people to become aware of different cultures, different foods."

In its traditional definition, Scandinavia consists of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The broader Nordic region also includes Finland and Iceland, along with Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Åland.

The lodge uses “Scandinavian” because it is a more known term to community members at large, Qualseth Schulte said, but its cultural focus extends beyond the three Scandinavian countries.

“We call it the [Scandinavian Heritage Fair] because it’s a more familiar term,” she said.

Attendees will enjoy demonstrations of rosemaling, spinning, weaving, wood carving and wood burning, as well as traditional Norwegian bunads that will be on display.

Homemade Scandinavian food will also be available for purchase.

Lodge members prepare the dishes prior to or during the event, including Norwegian waffles, Danish æbleskiver — a round pastry served with raspberry sauce —, open-faced sandwiches, pea soup, Scandinavian desserts and the immensely popular lefse, Qualseth Schulte said.

Along with the food and demonstrations, vendors will sell Scandinavian-themed clothing, jewelry, crafts and other goods.

The event also gives attendees the chance to connect with their own family history.

Qualseth Schulte said that attendees often discover the event and share stories about their own Scandinavian relatives.

"It's kind of crazy," she said. "They come out of the woodwork and say, 'Oh, you know, my grandmother was actually Norwegian.'"

The Scandinavian Heritage Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.