Scandinavian Fair in Sarasota, Florida

By Claire Gjerlow Loken

Special to the Norwegian American Weekly

Come early for our delicious whole yellow pea soup, open faced sandwiches, and desserts.  Watch Lefse being made.  Buy home baked cakes, cookies and bread. Check out our  Arts & Crafts, Fabulous Scandinavian Gifts, Bestemor’s Attic,  Fun projects for children,  Rosemaling, Original paintings, Norsk jewelry, Door prizes all day.  Raffle. and lots more!  See our sea going Viking Ship outside the Church.

At last year’s Fair, it was a complete surprise when we were invaded by actors dressed up as Medieval Warriors. Hagar the Horrible was already at our Fair, but he was ready to take them on if necessary!

Many new people who came to the Fair had recently moved to southwest Florida. I was sitting at a table with a newcomer named Carolyn Skaalerud (originally from Brooklyn) who asked me if I once had an uncle named Ragnar Gjerlow.  I said yes I did!   It turned out that Carolyn was a relative that I hadn’t seen in over 50 years!   It was great to be together again.

Velkommen Allesammen! to this year’s Sons of Norway Scandinavian Fair on Saturday, Oct.24th from 10:AM-3:PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahai Vista St.  Sarasota, FL  34239