The Culinary Tourist: Vikings Come Ashore for Swedish Festival

The Swedish Vikings traveled throughout Europe and Russia before their descendants dropped anchor in Mount Jewett, Pa., and it seems they worked up quite an appetite. Roll down your windows as you drive along Pennsylvania’s scenic Route 6 and you just might catch the aroma of a Swedish country breakfast or the heavenly scent of dala rolls—hot, yeasty, dinner rolls made with potatoes— wafting from an old-world oven. 

Don’t expect pickled fish or fancy pastries, unless, of course, you visit this weekend during the annual Mount Jewett Swedish Festival, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 10-12.

Watch as the Leif Ericson Viking ship “Norseman,” a working 40-foot model populated with crewmen outfitted as Vikings, comes ashore on Main Street. Constructed at one-half the size of the Gokstad Viking ship, this model showcases the skill of the sailors who for nearly three centuries sailed through the rough oceans in their sleek, streamlined ships, traveling from their native Scandinavia to distant lands. A Scandinavian folk band with Swedish dancers in authentic dress will announce their arrival on Friday at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, a smorgasbord of culinary and folk traditions will keep you dancing from one calorie-laden booth to the next. Sample korv, a special Swedish sausage, or stick with Sloppy Sven, a Swedish sloppy Joe—either way you won’t be disappointed. Mountains of crispy pepparkakor cookies, tea rolls laced with cardamom, and almond kisses are the perfect summer treat from a community where you are always Valkommen. 

Mount Nebo Chapel, one of the oldest, surving Swedish Evangelical Lutheran churches in the nation, will be open for tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. A maypole dance exhibition, Swedish language lesssons, and musical entertainment are also on tap for Saturday, which will conclude with fireworks at 10 p.m.Sunday will feature Viking ship races, a Swedish version of the old-fashioned bed races, beginning at 12:45 p.m. on Main Street, along with a full schedule of entertainment. 

Stop to admire the Mount Jewett Heritage Mural, designed by world-famous muralist Kong Ho who drew upon the region's rich cultural and natural resources for inspiration. Kong Ho transformed a blank brick wall into a 3,600-square-foot work of art on Main Street.

IF YOU GO

When: Fri., Aug. 10, 4-9 p.m.
           Sat., Aug. 11, 12 noon-9:30 p.m.
           Sun., Aug. 12, 12 noon-4 p.m.

Where: Mount Jewett, Pa., is located 100 miles south of Buffalo, New York; 120 miles east of Erie, Pa.; 164 miles southwest of Rochester, New York; and 142 miles north of Pittsburgh along Pennsylvania's Route 6.

Accommodations: From the plush to the primitive, www.visitANF.com

Information: 814-778-5701, www.visitANF.com

Nearby Attractions: The Allegheny National Forest, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Kinzua Bridge PA Scenic Byway

The Culinary Tourist appears every other Thursday and by chance in Gather Essentials: Travel. Explore all 50 states with award-winning documentary producer Lisa Gensheimer as she discovers the fun, food and people she meets along the way. Whether you’re visiting the home of a faraway friend, stopping for directions at a roadside market, or on holiday in an exotic location, richly layered experiences await. A published author, Lisa has several new projects in the works, including a cultural cookbook and companion travel DVD. Read more about Lisa's work at Main Street Media and at Forest Press