Solvang Danish Days 73rd Annual Event September 18-20, 2009

Solvang Danish Days Celebration Set for September 18-20, 2009

~73rd Annual Event Features Authentic Foods, Music, Folk Dancing, Living History Exhibits Plus 3 Parades

Victor Borge Exhibit This Year celebrates the famed Danish comedian & pianist

Solvang , California --Danish Capital of America annual Danish Days is sponsored by the Danish Days Foundation honoring the establishment of Solvang by Danish-Americans in 1911.

Visitors and locals don colorful costumes, enjoy folk dancing and entertainment throughout a city proudly displaying Danish and US flags that line the streets.

Ravens of Odin, a professional Viking re-enactment group that create an authentic encampment; large-scale wood-carving demonstrations; and Randel McGee’s Hans Christian Andersen story-telling session offer authentic, cultural and educational entertainment to enhance a street fair atmosphere. 

Authentic restaurants and bakeries will serve hot aebleskiver (Danish pastry shaped like a ball and sprinkled with powder sugar, then often drizzled in a thin, sweet red berry sauce. Medisterpølse Danish sausage fill the hungry travelers and joyful revelers during this autumn event in Central Coast California wine country region where you can wash down your meal with a locally-crafted wine or brew. 

Over a dozen wine tasting rooms offer award-winning vintages from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. Area residents as well as thousands of visitors enjoy the festivities annually.

2009 Schedule of Events—all are open to public, most are free.

Friday, September 18, 2009 Highlights

4:00 pm Free Concert in Solvang Park by Sonny Semler

7:30 pm Torchlight Parade beginning on Alisal Road at Laurel Street and ending at Solvang Park followed by

8:00pm Opening Ceremonies introducing 2009 Danish Maid Kayley Place, 16-year old junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Velkommen Street Dance follows with dancers performing to live music.

Saturday, September 19, 2009 Highlights

8:30am-12:30pm Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).

10:00am-4:00pm Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park

10:00am-4:00pm Danish Living History Demonstrations; Elverhoj Museum , 1624 Elverhoy Way , 805-686-1211

11:30am Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street)

2:30pm Danish Days Parade includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, the Solvang Village Dancers, Great Danes, Solvang Village Singers & mere

6:00pm-11:00pm Danish Days Dinner Dance sponsored by the Rebild National Park Society at Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive . Reservations required, call Erik Pedersen at 805-688-3573.

Sunday, September 20, 2009 Highlights

8:30am-12:30pm Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).

10:00am-4:00pm Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park

10:00am-4:00pm Danish Living History Demonstrations; Elverhoj Museum , 1624 Elverhoy Way , 805-686-1211

11:30am Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street)

2:00pm Children’s Parade starting at Atterdag Square down Copenhagen Drive to Solvang Park .

2:30pm Closing Ceremonies in Solvang Park with a performance by the comedy duo Grinn & Barrett.

*New for 2009—Victor Borge Exhibit—Celebrating the life (1909-2000) and laughter of the famed Danish comedian & pianist in what would have been his 100th year. View the kiosk at Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association Administrative Office at 1511-A Mission Drive , Upper Level from 10:00-4:00pm Friday through Sunday.

SolvangUSA.com

Solvang Danish Days Celebration Set for September 19-21, 2008

72nd Annual Event Features Music, Folk Dancing, Authentic Foods, Living History And 3 Parades

Solvang , California, celebrates its Danish heritage and title of  “Danish Capital of America” with many events throughout the year. But the biggest event to commemorate the city's preference for all things Danish comes in the form of the Danish Days festival, now in its 72nd year in 2008.  Annual Danish Days, held in 2008 from Friday, September 19 through Sunday, September 21, is sponsored by the Danish Days Foundation. It honors the establishment of Solvang by Danish-American educators in 1911 and to preserves Solvang village’s authentic Danish heritage.

Danish and US flags line the streets, people don colorful costumes, and there is folk dancing and entertainment throughout town—such as the Ravens of Odin, a professional Viking re-enactment group that create an authentic encampment; large-scale wood-carving demonstrations; and Randel McGee’s Hans Christian Andersen story-telling sessions. Authentic restaurants and bakeries feature tasty cuisine, including aebleskiver (Danish pastry ball) and medisterpǿlse (Danish sausage). Over a dozen wine tasting rooms offer award-winning vintages from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. Area residents as well as thousands of visitors enjoy the festivities annually. The theme for the celebration is "Solvang: When Change Meets Tradition.”


Friday, September 19, 2008 Events

4:00 pm Free Concert in Solvang Park by Sonny Semler

7:30 pm Torchlight Parade beginning on Alisal Road at Laurel Street and ending at Solvang Park followed by

8:00pm Opening Ceremonies introducing 2008 Danish Maid Caitlin Samantha Wright, a fourth-generation Danish-American and 16-year old junior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

Velkommen Street Dance follows with dancers performing to live music.



Saturday, September 20, 2008 Events

8:00am-12:30pm Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).

10:00am-4:00pm Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park

11:30am Aebleskiver Eating Contest in Solvang Park (corner of Mission Drive & First Street)

2:30pm Danish Days Parade includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, the Solvang Village Dancers, Great Danes, Solvang Village Singers, Fresno Danish Dancers & mere

6:00pm-Midnight Danish Days Dinner Dance sponsored by the Rebild National Park Society at Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Reservations required, call 805-688-3573.



Sunday, September 21, 2008 Events

8:00am-12:30pm Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $4.50 (with Danish sausage, $5).

10:00am-3:00pm Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park

11:30am Aebleskiver Eating Contest in Solvang Park (corner of First Street & Mission Drive)

2:00pm Children’s Parade starting at Atterdag Square down Copenhagen Drive to Solvang Park .

2:30pm Closing Ceremonies in Solvang Park with a performance by the comedy duo Grinn & Barrett.


A highlight of the celebration is the concurrent Danish Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum held on Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am-4:00pm. Demonstrations of bobbin lace making, Scandinavian holiday crafts, spinning, weaving, and more. The museum is located just two blocks south of the village center at 1624 Elverhoy Way . Free admission (suggested donation $3). Call 805-686-1211. elverhoj.org

For more information: Solvang Danish Days Foundation: (805) 686-9386 and Solvang Visitors Center: (805) 688-6144. SolvangUSA.com