Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

Spring Grove

Uffda Fest is Back

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Viking Memorial Park is where the fun happens during Uffda Fest.
Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

By Charlene Corson Selbee

The community of Spring Grove, Minn., has come together to resurrect the town’s former festival, Uffda Fest. The fall festival celebrates the town’s Norwegian heritage and promotes the town’s vibrant downtown. The festival takes place October 6-8.

Trivia question. What does uffda mean? The word uffda as defined by Wikipedia is “of Norwegian origin, the phrase was brought by Scandinavian Americans to the Upper Midwest, New England, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States during the 19th century, where its meaning was broadened to express also surprise, astonishment, exhaustion, or relief.”

You will be surprised and astonished at the events community businesses and nonprofit organizations have come up.

Walk and run races are a popular addition to community events and Uffda is no different except for one thing it is a .10K race. That’s right! A 328’ race and participants can walk, run, hop, skip, jump or whatever from the American Legion to Rockfilter Distillery.

Another unique event is the hot dish contest sponsored by the Sons of Norway Valheim Lodge at the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center. On Sunday, October 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. you can vote for your favorite hotdish. Cooks have a chance to win great “Uff Da Worthy” prizes, based on the People’s Choice Votes.

Ole’s Rag Tag Uff Da Band kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday night, October 6. Participants will have one and only one rehearsal before the inaugural “Uff Da” processional tour. The ad hoc musical group will stop at the Chamber of Commerce, Viking Park, and the Old-Time Barn dance.

There will be an old-time barn dance on Friday evening from 7:30-10:30 p.m. featuring the sounds of Bob Bovee and Pop Wagner.

Garage sales will be happening around town all weekend. Watch for signs!

From September 25 through October 7, residents and visitors are encouraged to support Spring Grove’s one-of-a-kind businesses. Fill a “Shop Local to Win” card for a chance to win prizes.

Vendors will be set up in Viking Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Hands-on activities and contests include a sidewalk chalk art contest, a spring bulb planter station at Hidden Springs Peony Farm, a scarecrow contest, paint a gnome, or make your own hat.

There will be food! What would a Norwegian celebration be without Norwegian food? On Saturday the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center will be serving lefse, rømmegrot, rømmegrot bars, pickles, etc. to eat for a freewill offering. The Spring Grove Athletic Boosters will be selling pork burgers and pork chops in Viking Memorial Park from 11 a.m. until they are all gone on Saturday, October 7. Legion Post 249 is hosting a food stand at the Peanut Gallery starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Upcoming Bluff

County events: 

• October 3-5, Cranberry Harvest Days, Warrens, Wis.

• October 7, Harvest Festival, Elkader, Iowa

• October 7, Apple Affair, Galesville, Wis.

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festival and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.

Norwegian for a day

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The Decorah Nordic Dancers performing at Spring Grove’s Syttende May celebration. Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee

By Charlene Corson Selbee

You do not have to be Norwegian or a kid to enjoy Spring Grove’s Syttende Mai celebration Wednesday. May 17 through Sunday, May 21.

On May 17, Norwegians celebrate the 1814 signing of the country’s constitution. In Norway Constitution Day is a party for everyone especially children. Spring Grove has planned a weekend of events for children, so don’t leave yours at home! There will also be plenty of activities for adults.

Barnetoget, the children’s parade starts off the activities at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Spring Grove School. The parade heads down Main Street to the Viking Memorial Park. Kindergarteners will ride in the Viking ship and children in grades 1-6 will follow behind singing and waving Norwegian flags. At the park the children will weave a Maypole and play familiar outdoor games like Kubb, rope pulling, and sack races before enjoying a delicious snack of Varme Pølse (hot dog wrapped in lefsa) and Spring Grove soda.

What could be more fun than Running with the Gnomes 5K race on Saturday? Join in and dress up as your favorite Gnome.

At noon on Saturday is the Grand Parade featuring the Nordic Dancers, a group of youth from Decorah, Iowa, clowns, dogs, antique cars, floats, and more.

On Friday evening from 7-10 p.m. is a dance specifically for teens at the Fest Building.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Viking Park and the Trinity Church grounds will be filled with children’s activities including the pedal pull competition, inflatables, yard games, nerf war, petting zoo, bingo, human hamster balls, Balloons by Kevin, Tappy’s Face as well as Kaptain Kirby Train. The annual soap box races will be held on South Division Ave.

Adults have not been left out of the fun! Visitors will find Pat’s Brewery selling wood fired pizza and craft beer; for the book connoisseur, local author Joanne Griffen is signing her new book and there is a quilt show, live entertainment, and vendors will be setup at Viking Park plus Spring Grove stores will be open. Town residents will open their garage doors for the city-wide garage sale on Friday and Saturday plus there are special exhibits at the Giants of the Earth Heritage Center.

Visitors will not leave hungry. Enjoy tradition Norwegian delicacies, brats, pork burgers, and waffles.

Walk the Norwegian Ridge Trail located in the wooded hills on the outskirts of Spring Grove during your visit.

Visit sgsyttendemai.com/schedule for the complete schedule of fun activities.

Upcoming Bluff County events

•SEMBA Spring Bluegrass Festival, Houston, Minn., May 19-21

•Preston Trout Days, Preston, Minn., May 19-21

•Root River Triathlon, Houston, Minn., May 20

•Spring Valley 100 Bike Race, Spring Valley, Minn., May 20

•State Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony, Preston, Minn., May 28

The Visit Bluff Country Magazine is delivered to more than 1,000 locations in 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. This magazine has a mission of promoting tourism in the Historic Bluff Country (Driftless) region.

For information on upcoming town festivals and events in Historic Bluff Country, vacation ideas for lodging, recreation, dining, and shopping, check out the magazine in print or online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.