Norsk Høstfest - Scandinavian?

"Norsk Høstfest, North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival, is celebrating its 28th year, starting the evening of October 11th-15th in Minot, North Dakota. Tens of thousands of people attend the event annually to celebrate and partake in the Scandinavian culture and entertainment.
Over 200 internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate. The experience is an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic."

As I browsed through the Festival web site I came across a few of the headlining musical acts. I don't know much about heritage or the origin of names but I sure don't remember some of these people as Scandinavian.



Wednesday & Thursday - Randy Travis
I guess Mr. Travis could be Scandinavian but the dark hair is a bit out of place.



Friday - Merle Haggard
Good ol' Merle may be Scandinavian. His hair is certainly lighter than the above musician. Merle could be a deviation of Mjerle.



Wednesday & Thursday - Charlie Pride
Now wait just a minute! How did he get in the mix? There are several reasons why I don't think Mr. Charles Pride is Scandinavian. Do I really have to go into the reasons? I suppose he could dye his hair black. He may have changed his name from Bjøro Haaland to be more country music friendly. Would you purchase a country music album from a man named Bjøro Haaland? Probably not.

I did some CSI style research into the Pride Family tree and found a photo of Mr. Pride's great-great-grandmother, Ingrid Pride.



For more information about the Norsk Høstfest entertainment click here! There are some interesting entertainers. Literally thousands of people from all over the world travel to Minot, North Dakota for this rip-roarin' week of Scandinavian Shin-diggin.' If you are planning the trip, make sure to stop by Rugby,NorthDakota, the geographical center of North America. You are so jealous!