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.