Syttende Mai just one month away

Meghan Walker Ballard

One of Ballard’s biggest events is coming up next month: Syttende Mai is one month from today, bringing a parade and other events to downtown Ballard.

Syttende Mai — pronounced “Soot-n-duh My” — is the annual 17th of May celebration to honor Norway’s Constitution Day. The famous parade brings thousands to the streets of Ballard to watch marching bands, Norwegian-American lodges, drill teams, classic cars and more.

The festivities include more than just the parade — here’s the full schedule:

  • 10am to 5pm: Barneleker – Children’s Events at the Nordic Museum. Kick off your celebration of Norwegian Constitution Day with a visit to the Nordic Museum. Longstanding favorites like the Fjord Horses, Nordic Express, and children’s activities will be onsite from 10am–2pm.
  • 12pm to 2pm: Luncheon at the Nordic Museum. Join us for a traditional Norwegian Lunch with our Grand Marshal, speakers, and musical entertainment at the new Nordic Museum on Market Street.
  • 12pm to 5pm: Open House at Leif Erikson Hall. Experience the unique ambiance of the Lodge’s historic murals, treat yourself to a delicious ekte Norsk lunch, and enjoy live music. The Lodge’s Nordic Café will be selling its famous smørbrød, lefse, and krumkake.
  • 2pm to 5:45pm: Entertainment at Bergen Place. Join us at Bergen Place Park with Host Eric Stavney of the Scandinavian Hour for a full afternoon of the best Nordic music. Fun, fantastic, and free family entertainment!
  • 6pm to 8pm: 17th of May Parade. The parade begins at the corner of NW 62nd and 24th Ave NW, and heads south down 24th to Market St, then east to Bergen Place Park. The route then turns right onto 22nd and continues south down Ballard Ave and ends at Lone St.

For more info or to volunteer, click here.

Photo from 2018 parade, courtesy Syttende Mai organizers

20 thoughts to “Syttende Mai just one month away”

  1. American flags?
    Norwegian flags waved by *gasp* white people AND a Volkswagen?!
    The word “LADIES” on the banner? Wow just wow the sexism.

    Get woke and put an end to this Nazi parade in your midst!

    3. Is this the only interaction with humans you get, Uncle Buck? Is being the most disliked commenter on a local blog your crowning achievement in life? Do you sit up all night thinking of ways to make a fool of yourself here and more important, do you actually think what you say passes as humor?

      You really need to seek professional help.

        1. I told him we could meet at Baker’s and discuss things in real life over cocktails. Heck, I told all of you that. It can still happen you know…

          1. BBB:
            Stop hitting on me to have drinks with you – I don’t swing that way, unless you happen to be a leggy blonde who likes Motley Crue.

      2. Beats being a yoga cultist, thinking dogs are people, or preaching to children that there are 5000 “genders”.
        Get woke!

        1. Delusions and fears?
          That’s pretty rich coming from social justice cultists who think the earth will die in 12yrs, Putin controls Trump, gluten is poison, and everyone with critical thinking skills is a “Nazi”.

          1. So “justice” is a dirty word to you?
            From your past posts you appear to have great disdain for, but not limited to, the following groups:
            – Women (with or without pets);
            – Liberals (real and imagined);
            – People who make conscious decisions about their diets;
            – The LGBTQ community;
            – Dogs;
            – Cats;
            – People who bike;
            – People who walk;
            – The homeless;
            – The addicted;
            – People who work in tech;
            – People who are college educated;
            – City Hall;
            – People who vote; and
            – All nationalities

            So while we are enjoying Syttende Mai, laughing with neighbors and appreciating Ballard and all it has to offer, what will you be doing?

            What is it that makes you happy? What makes you wake up in the morning and look forward to a new day? What/who do you NOT hate?

          2. No, mostly I just loathe the preachy affluent white liberals who use authoritarian tactics to run this city and all media platforms.

          3. … but you are preachy, white, and authoritarian.
            Self hatred will eat you alive, bro. Time for you to man up and face your personal demons.

  3. Despite the content of some of the comments, I’m very much looking forward to this years celebration, aaaand it’s on a Friday! Almost as much as Seafood Frat.

  4. Hi everyone, wish I was up there for tomorrow, great party time if I remember… things are fine with me, have some personal things going on but am pretty healthy and active. Any of the old crowd still there? See you, VB, anyone else?

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