"Old Fashioned Christmas" is a special time in Lindsborg

By Doug Rich

Is there someplace that you drive by and always say to yourself that one of these days you are going to stop. That place for me has been Lindsborg, Kan.

Every year when my family and I go to the state fair we pass the exit to Lindsborg and every year I say we need to find the time for a visit. That time finally came and I was not disappointed.

My wife and I spent the first weekend of December in Lindsborg, known as Little Sweden, to take part in the "Old Fashioned Christmas" that is held the first two weekends in December every year. Formerly known as Heritage Christmas, this event includes music, drama, gifts, and refreshments reminiscent of an 1880s Christmas.

Located in the Smoky Valley south of Salina and just off I-35, Lindsborg was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1869. Along with their search for religious freedom they brought an appreciation for the arts and music that continues today.

The Scandinavian heritage of the area is kept alive in the food, festivals, and art displayed around the town. The town hosts several festivals throughout the year including the Messiah Festival of Music and Art; Svensk Hyllningsfest, the Lucia Festival, Bethany Christmas Concert, and the "Old Fashioned Christmas" at the Old Mill Museum.

"The most popular event is the Hyllningsfest," Linda Branch said. Branch is president of the Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce. "Hyllningsfest is so much work and so big they only hold it every other year."

Hyllningsfest is a biennial tribute to the Swedish pioneers that settled in the area and is held in October in odd numbered years. This October there will be folk dancing, smorgasbords, special entertainment, ethnic music and special food.

Bethany College holds its homecoming the same weekend which adds to the festivities.

Bethany College in Lindsborg hosts one of the best known events of the year. During Holy Week Bethany College has two performances of Handel's "Messiah" on Palm Sunday and Easter. There is a performance of "St. Matthew's Passion" on Good Friday also. In addition to these traditions there are soloists recitals, art exhibitions, and theater offerings.

The weekend that we visited Lindsborg they were celebrating Christmas with the annual Snowflake/Tomte Parade and "Old Fashioned Christmas." Children dress up as snow flakes or Swedish Tomte and help usher in the Christmas season. The highlight of the parade is the arrival of Santa Claus and the Swedish Jul Tomte. Prizes are given for the best costumes and best floats in the parade.

"One of the most intriguing times in Lindsborg is the Lucia when the crowning of Lucia takes place," Branch said. "All the twinkle lights are on the trees and it is decorated for Christmas. I think that is kind of a special time."

This festival honors Lucia a symbol of light and hope to the Swedish people since the Middle Ages when she brought food to the hungry during the great famine. According to Swedish custom the oldest daughter in the family rises early, puts on a crown of lighted candles, and goes from bed to bed in the house with hot cider and cookies.

Branch said Midsummer's Day is a very popular event and attracts many visitors to Lindsborg. Midsummer's Day is held on the third Saturday in June. It is an annual Swedish-American celebration welcoming the return of summer. The Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce website suggests purchasing tickets early for the smorgasbord held at the Bethany College Pihlblad Memorial Union.

No matter what time of year you visit Lindsborg there are some sights that you should not miss.

Make time for a drive to Coronado Heights to see the native stone castle. I don't believe there is anything like this anywhere else in the state of Kansas. Coronado Heights is the highest point in the Smoky Valley and provides a great view of the Valley and of Lindsborg. On top of Coronado Heights is a castle-like fortress built by the WPA in the 1930s.

The name comes from local legend which contends that the explorer Coronado came as far east as this hilltop and stopped for a look at the area from this very spot. A Bethany College professor reportedly found a piece of chain mail on the hill many decades ago.

Inside the castle is a stairway that leads to the top of the observation tower and there is a huge fireplace. There are picnic tables, barbecue grills, and outdoor toilets. It is a popular spot for class reunions, church services, weddings, family picnics, and in the 1960s was home to a group of hippies.

When you get back to town be sure to stop in one of the stores featuring Swedish gifts and crafts. Stop on Main Street at Hemslojd, the store with the giant Dala out front. Hemslojd features beautiful Scandinavian gifts, housewares, books, music, and wild Dalas. Just down the street is the Swedish Crafts store.

All around town you can see the artfully decorated Wild Dala of Lindsborg. The Dala horse is one of Sweden's best-known icons. It is a bluntly rounded, tail-free horse that is thought to have been whittled out of wood, by the fire during cold Scandinavian nights, by Swedish lumberjacks in the 18th century. In the 19th century artists began painting the Dala horses.

Lindsborg is home to several artist and photography galleries. Jim Richardson, a well-known photographer for National Geographic magazine, runs the Small World Gallery on Main Street. You can view some of the work he has done from locations around the world as well as photographs taken here in Kansas. His photos of life in Cuba, Kan., are particularly interesting. Paintings, wood carving, ceramics, and metal sculpture are on display in artists' galleries around town.

Depending on how long you stay, there are other attractions just a short drive from Lindsborg. These include the Kanopolis Lake and State Park, Smoky Hill Bison, Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, and Rolling Hills Zoo and Wildlife Adventure.

The Artists Studio Open House is an annual event. Call the Lindsborg Arts Council for the time and date for the next open house.

In keeping with the Scandinavian theme, visitors can find authentic Swedish food in Lindsborg. We had a traditional Swedish breakfast at the Swedish County Inn, lunch at the Ol' Stuga a popular hangout for students from Bethany College, and dinner at The Cookery. Before leaving town we purchased, what else, a Swedish Tea Ring at the Swedish Emporium on Main Street.

Don't make the same mistake I did and put off visiting Lindsborg. Plan to visit Little Sweden in the very near future.

Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or e-mail at richhpj@aol.com.

1

1/5/99

None

Date: 5/9/07

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com