Destination Stoughton- A Norwegian Weekend of Fun

The Stoughton Norwegian Summit Group, an informal group of Norwegian themed businesses, groups and organizations, builds a weekend of Norse opportunities around a signature event. This year’s weekend is January 31- February 2, 2025. The group was organized in 2011 under the leadership of Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge to bring “all those things Norwegian” together to help promote each other’s events, activities, businesses, and organizations. The group helps promote two Destination Weekends each year and of course, all are busy Syttende Mai Weekend! Our “featured” event: The Stoughton Norwegian Dancers- Norse Afternoon of Fun 2025 and the internationally known Stoughton Norwegian Dancers will present their annual “Norse Afternoon of Fun” performance on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the Stoughton High School gymnasium, located at 600 Lincoln Avenue in Stoughton. Doors for this event will open at 12:30 p.m. This annual event is the Norwegian Dancers’ answer to “cabin fever.” The combination of colorful Norwegian costumes, known as bunads, rousing music, and exuberant ethnic folk dancing produces the necessary elements to relieve those winter blues. The lively group of dancers, which includes 25 Stoughton High School students, will present a program that includes humorous, acrobatic, and audience-participation dances appealing to all ages. Additionally, twenty students from Stoughton Elementary schools will accompany the high school dancers for select dances. In addition to dancing, there will be a bake sale featuring authentic Norwegian pastries and baked goods, including Lefse, which the Stoughton Norwegian Dancer parent group prepares. There will also be a raffle drawing with many great prizes! Admission is $5 for adults if tickets are purchased in advance or $10 at the door. Stoughton Area School District students in grades five or below can attend this exciting event for free. Admission is $1 for all children who are under the age of 14. Attendees are encouraged to wear their Norwegian bunads or sweaters to help make this an immersive Scandinavian event. All children under 14 dressed in Norwegian costumes will receive free admission. For more information about the Norse Afternoon of Fun or the Stoughton Norwegian Dancers, please visit  https://stoughtonnorwegiandancers.com . 

Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge welcomes the public to an Open House at the lodge, located at 317 South Page Street, Stoughton, on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 9:00-11:00 AM. This is an opportunity for members and those interested in learning more about Sons of Norway (the organization), District 5, and our Mandt Lodge in Stoughton. Lodge President, Darlene Arneson, will share information about the organization, navigate through website resources including language lessons, cultural and sports programs, member discounts, and other resources Sons of Norway offers. She’ll also cover basic information on the history of this fraternal organization including where to find financial and investment product information. Mandt Lodge has a strong youth focus so the District’s Masse Moro- Youth Heritage Camp will be featured along with our other activities. Open to members and those just interested in learning more! No reservations are needed, and light refreshments will be served! Street parking only that morning- please do not park in Livreise parking lot as they are open that day. Visit cultural group displays on Sunday at Norse Afternoon of Fun as you enjoy Norse Afternoon. There will be materials from the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library in Madison, Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge, Stoughton Chamber and Visitor Services, Livsreise, the Norwegian Heritage Center, Stoughton Historical Society, and Koshkonong Prairie Historical Society.