South Whidbey High School will become a showcase of Scandinavian arts, culture and foods Nov. 9 for the annual Nordic Fest sponsored by the Daughters of Norway.

The popular event is famous for its Nordic products and demonstrations of crafts, arts and entertainment. This year there will be songs and dance by various island artists: The Island Chamber Orchestra will start the entertainment at 10:30 a.m. and play again at 2:30 p.m.; accordionist Ione Bard comes on at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., while the Young Skandia Dansers will perform at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Shifty Sailors will sing their rousing sea chanties at 1 p.m., followed by the Norwegian Ladies Chorus at 2. There will be fiddlers and roving players throughout the afternoon.

The list of those selling and demonstrating Scandinavian specialties — many in Nordic costumes — includes both islanders and those from other Nordic cultural centers.

• Ione Bard: Skandinavian ware such as dolls, tiles, calendars, music, books and Christmas decorations.
  
• Florence Buck: Norwegian silver and gold jewelry.
  
• Rhoda Conley: her own rosemaled items.
  
• Lucy Nelson: Hardanger somm, an intricate type of stitchery.
  
• Sami Dennis Hellpie, wearing his own native Sami costume.
  
• Suzanne Ramsey, weaving, and Lucetta Walker, spinning.
  
• Roberta Morrow: Rosemaling, a special type of painting on wood pieces.
  
• W.I.N.G.S.: Birdhouses with themes of the Huskies, Mariners, Seahawks and many others.
  
• Liz Leese: Rosemaling, painting bowls, plates and various wood pieces.
  
• Marion’s Homecraft: Maker of American Girl doll and other doll clothes.
  
• Sharyn Sowell: Paper cutter with cards, posters, prints, featured on television’s Evening Magazine.
  
• April Mills: knitted sweaters. doll clothes and accessories.
  
• Blue Ice Design: sterling silver brooches and earrings made by hand by two women from Norway and Ballard. The designs are from Skandinavia and have been featured at the Bellevue Arts and Craft Fair.
  
• Marcy Johnson: local artist showing handwoven rugs and scarves.
  
• Mud Woman: Judy Skoczen, a local artist with pottery that especially features her hearts.
  
• Sole Brothers: clogs and rain boots with themes for adults and children.

The Nordic adventure books by Astrid Scott about Norwegians’ involvement with the Allies in World War II and other topics will be available. There will also be exhibits that sell items for children and tables with Scandinavian crafts. The Ester Moe Daughters of Norway will display and sell knitted hats, ornaments, Christmas items, woven wheat ornaments, painted wooden dolls, aprons and mugs. They will also have a sale of homebaked breads, pickled herring and, of course, lefse, which they have been making for several weeks.

Lefse will also be part of the traditional lunch available, with a menu of rommegrot, the Norwegian sour cream porridge, waffles with jam and whipped cream, pea soup and salmon chowder, Skandinavian open-faced sandwiches, the Daughters’ famous Verdens Beste Cake and, new this year, a Norwegian sausage in a lefse, called varmepolse.

Grandmother Jean Kaldahl will lend even more authenticity to the event by dressing as a schoolgirl and talking about her life in a Midwest Scandinavian community.

Tune in to radio station KWDB 1110 AM next week to hear the Young Skandia Dansers sing.