A tradition of Grace Lutheran Church
Nordefest began with a fundraising dream of the Grace Lutheran Church Women, or GLCW. Since Grace was originally named First Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Church way back in 1883, they decided that Nordefest would be a great nod to the heritage of the Ladies Aid that came before them. Many of the GLCW members already knew how to roll lefse, and for the next 40 plus years they have been passing down the skill to the next generation. Now we have men and women helping make lefse for about 5 weeks every fall to get ready for Nordefest+
From the first Nordefest in 1978 until now, the location has been the same but the items for sale have changed. There was an entire Christmas market that had handmade ornaments, rosemaling, dala horses, and more. Modern Nordefest is now Nordefest PLUS. There is a mix of heritage on display as well as traditional baked goods for sale from multiple countries. Krumkake, flatbread, egg rolls, rosettes, donuts, and more. The day begins at 9am with the sale of frozen lefse that has been handmade by our volunteers at the church. From there you can enter into the Fellowship Hall to get your breakfast of donuts, fresh lefse, and homemade caramel rolls. There are booths all around the hall with treats and fun crafts for sale. At about 10:45 lunch is set up. There is always two meats and two soups. Recently we have been serving up Knoephla soup, which is a German dumpling soup. Our Beef & Barley soup brings people back every year!
When not sampling the delicious scratch made ethnic foods, patrons can wander around the church to visit Grandma's Attic (ironically it is in the basement) to rummage and pay-what-you-want. There is a craft room where the ladies (and men) of the church sell their crafts.
It is an all day affair if you want it to be!
The Grace Lutheran Church Women take the proceeds from Nordefest+ and donate to local Watertown charities. They would like to thank Thrivent Financial for the grants they dispurse every year to help offset the cost of putting on Nordefest+.
Community participation is welcome and encouraged! There are workshops throughout late September and most of October to make Lefse, Donuts, Rosettes, Krumkake, and more. Everyone is welcome to come learn how to make the traditional treats of our anscestors.
From the first Nordefest in 1978 until now, the location has been the same but the items for sale have changed. There was an entire Christmas market that had handmade ornaments, rosemaling, dala horses, and more. Modern Nordefest is now Nordefest PLUS. There is a mix of heritage on display as well as traditional baked goods for sale from multiple countries. Krumkake, flatbread, egg rolls, rosettes, donuts, and more. The day begins at 9am with the sale of frozen lefse that has been handmade by our volunteers at the church. From there you can enter into the Fellowship Hall to get your breakfast of donuts, fresh lefse, and homemade caramel rolls. There are booths all around the hall with treats and fun crafts for sale. At about 10:45 lunch is set up. There is always two meats and two soups. Recently we have been serving up Knoephla soup, which is a German dumpling soup. Our Beef & Barley soup brings people back every year!
When not sampling the delicious scratch made ethnic foods, patrons can wander around the church to visit Grandma's Attic (ironically it is in the basement) to rummage and pay-what-you-want. There is a craft room where the ladies (and men) of the church sell their crafts.
It is an all day affair if you want it to be!
The Grace Lutheran Church Women take the proceeds from Nordefest+ and donate to local Watertown charities. They would like to thank Thrivent Financial for the grants they dispurse every year to help offset the cost of putting on Nordefest+.
Community participation is welcome and encouraged! There are workshops throughout late September and most of October to make Lefse, Donuts, Rosettes, Krumkake, and more. Everyone is welcome to come learn how to make the traditional treats of our anscestors.
