The local girls have prepared another festival classic, the Maypole dance. Please welcome back the . . .

Scandinavian Midsummer Dancers of Astoria:
Nordics, Vikings, and Scandia Dancers

Kevin Ladd and Bev Hoofnagle share directing honors for the faithful Astoria Scandinavian Dancers which began over two score years ago, in 1966. They appeared at our first festival in 1982.

These dancers perform extensively throughout the Northwest: for Astoria’s Scandinavian Festival activities year round, for cruise ships stopping at the mouth of the Columbia River, and for Junction City’s Scandinavian Festival. They have also performed at Disneyland.

They started simply as a fundraiser for the local Brownies. Jeanie Maddux, talented ballet, dance, and jazz instructor, recalls teaching and costuming the children in those early days. In 1971 Ella Simonsen and friend Doreen started the Viking Dancers for Festival. When Ella announced her retirement, Bonnie Ladd and Carolyn Knapp, stepped up to the challenge. They both had children in the group and had already been jumping in whenever an extra dancer was needed. Carolyn and Bonnie studied Scandinavian music, learning to dance by the book. They also took workshops with Frances Keyes of Portland and other visiting teachers.

So many children wanted to learn to dance, they created three groups: the Nordics (children), Vikings (teens), and the Scandias (adults). When Carolyn retired, Dave joined his wife Bonnie in leading them. Today Bonnie and Dave have stepped back while their son Kevin and community activist Bev Hoofnagle lead the group.

More dance and pagentry at the festival: finnam.naselle.net/2008/dance/.

Festival main page: finnam.naselle.net/2008/.