Midsommar: A Swedish Summer Solstice Celebration

Swedes and many northern peoples celebrate a Summer Solstice holiday known as Midsommar (Midsummer). It’s an ancient day that is still one of Sweden's most beloved holidays, second only to Jul. The season of sun and abundance calls for celebration! Midsommar is celebrated in mid-June when school is out, and nature has burst into life. It is often the kick off for many Swede's 5 week Summer break. It is the time of the midnight sun; a time that seems like the sun will never set. In fact, in the north of Sweden, it doesn’t, and in the south, only for an hour or two.

Midsommar Traditions:

• Maypole: A decorated maypole (midsommarstång) is a central element of the celebration, around which people dance and sing a funny song about a little green frog.
• Music and Dancing: Live music and folk dancing are common, often accompanied by traditional Swedish or Finnish songs.
• Flower Crowns: Men, women and children wear handmade crowns of flowers, which are seen as a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
• Food and Drink: Special Midsummer foods and drinks are enjoyed, often including traditional dishes like pickled herring, boiled potatoes, strawberries w/ cream, beer, and a traditional schnapps known as Akvavit.
• Games and Activities: Various games and activities are enjoyed, especially by children, such as Nordic Kubb and other folk games.

What to Expect: This will be an outdoor celebration at Caveside Wellness. We'll begin our evening with a short lecture on the history of Midsommar followed by an opportunity to make your own flower crown, and then our first toast to kick off the remaining festivities. We'll then dance around the Maypole before enjoying our community potluck. After dinner we'll walk to the park next door to play Kubb, a Nordic lawn game with some gruesome lore. After we have some fun with games, we'll head back to spend the remainder of the evening around the fire together. The sauna will be fired up at that time for those that wish to partake. This event will be potluck & BYOB style. All ages welcome. Bring a friend or the whole family!

Itinerary:
5-6pm Flower Crown Tutorial and Crafting w/ Midsommar Lecture
6-6:30 Official Toast & Maypole Ritual
6:30-7:30 Potluck FEAST
7:30-8:30pm Yard Games at the Park
8:30-10pm Campfire Hangout & Optional Sauna

*All organized festivities will wrap up by 9pm at the latest. If you're partied out and need to leave early, we'll understand.

What to Bring:

• Potluck dish or something to grill on the BBQ
• BYOB
• Folding camp chair
• Dress appropriately for outside fun
• Sauna attire, water bottle & towel if partaking (see below)

Optional Sauna Use: The sauna will be fired up for those that would like to partake. I am asking for an additional $20 fee sauna usage. If you do, you will need to sign my liability waiver prior to your sauna.
Here's a list of what to bring & wear

• Sauna attire: sarong, swimsuit, tank/sports bra, & shorts; inside the sauna is clothing optional but you MUST cover up when outside the sauna
• Towel
• Non-glass water bottle

When: Saturday June 21st from 5-10pm
Drop on by for a bit or stay the whole time!

Where: Caveside Wellness
525 E Fairfield St. Gladstone, OR 97027
Plenty of parking around Max Patterson Park

Cost: $30 per person, $15 ages 13 and under, ages 5 and under FREE.
$20 extra for anyone wanting to use the sauna.
Flower crown supplies included
Potluck & BYOB
www.idacavewoman.com/payments
PayPal, Venmo or Cash

Cancellation Policy: Please change your RSVP within 24 hours if you find yourself no longer able to attend so that I can prepare for the right amount of guests. Thank you!