SUMMER SOLSTICE - MIDSUMMER'S EVE

Summer Solstice is celebrated the Friday nearest the first day of summer. The pagan holiday dates back to the Vikings, but can be celebrated today by Christians as the nativity of St. John. It is also six months prior to Christmas.

The event centers around a freshly cut May Pole decorated with greens. Upon the placement of the pole that has a crossbar added, folk and traditional music is played, and men, women, and children "ring dance" around the pole. Of course, the pole looks like the Jesus cross we usually see.

The whole event seemed to be just a special excuse for family and friends to gather. The weather was unusually beautiful and the bugs absented themselves totally from the area.

Ida Frizzell and her grandson, Bryce, hand out gloves to protect hands from the sap of the pole.

Marlene prepares some of the "children's music" for the dancing. Sadly, as noted in the VIDEO, the singers could not hear the keyboard and so music and singing was terribly dissonent.

Mostly the men donned the yellow work gloves for the work of righting the pole.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE POLE BEING SET IN PLACE!

"Goodies" followed the dancing. Traditional foods are new potatoes, Swedish meat balls, cheese, herring, Swedish crisp bread (roslaysbrod), fresh strawberries and whipped cream (jordgubbskram) and schnapps. Tap Point root beer, Amherst Central Waters beer, and wine were also available.

TURNED OUT TO BE A NICE PARTY FOR ABOUT 25 PEOPLE!