The Auburn chapter of the Vesterdalen Lodge Sons of Norway hosted its annual Nordic Fest, a celebration of all things Scandinavian, last Saturday.

Open to everybody, regardless of Norwegian ancestry, the event shares Norwegian and Scandinavian heritage, food and customs.

In fact, Marv Nelson, president of the Vesterdalen Lodge, said membership in the organization isn’t restricted only to those with Norse blood.

“Like our brochure says, ‘You have to be Norwegian, be married to a Norwegian, know where Norway is or have an interest in Norway,'” he joked.

This year’s Nordic Fest – celebrated at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn – marks the first time the Auburn chapter has presented the event on a Saturday.

“It’s technically always been open to the public,” Nelson said. “But it would be on a weeknight at our regular meeting, so maybe friends of members would attend.”

“And we didn’t advertise it as much as we have this year,” said Diane Fatland, volunteer and chapter treasurer.

The event catered to all things Scandinavia, from Swedish weaving and Danish rose painting to sampling Norwegian delicacies like lefse, a traditional soft flatbread.

“I would say that this is a place people can come and learn how to do things, like rose painting or Swedish weaving,” Fatland said. “Some people are going to be taking our genealogy class. They’re also people who will be learning to make lefse.”

Kalma Christianson, 94, and her daughter, Karen Hebert, 64, were on hand with the family’s prim kjell, a large brass pot used by Norwegian cheesemakers. Kjell means pot in Norwegian, and prim is a soft, spreadable cheese made from cow’s milk.

According to Hebert, the large pot boasts quite a history, having made the journey from Norway, through England and Canada and finally to America.

“The family loaded up their belongings in it, and with two children in tow, carried it all the way,” she said.

The event provided an opportunity for those unfamiliar with Scandinavian cooking to try such staples and delights as rosette cookies, aebleskiver – a Danish pancake-like dumpling – and rice pudding.

According to Nelson, the Vesterdalen Lodge hopes to make the fest an annual attraction.

Fatland said the event welcomes all.

“My brothers have asked me why I do Sons of Norway, and Daughters of Norway,” Fatland said. “For me, it all comes down to community and sharing.”