PHOTOS: Milan celebrates 17th annual 'A Taste of Syttende Mai'
Norwegian celebration fills Milan's downtown streets as residents celebrate their heritage Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Lana Svien, center, dances with Luanne Fondell, right, and Audrey Arner while listening to Minneapolis band, "The Swdish Trio," during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
MILAN
— Considering the small rural community of Milan was once referred to as Little Norway, it's no surprise the community of just over 400 residents keeps celebrating its heritage strong year after year.
Wednesday, May 17, served as
Constitution Day in Norway
this year, with Milan's celebration following up a few days later for the 16th annual "A Taste of Syttende Mai."
The day began with
Kviteseid Lutheran Church
hosting Kvitseid Smorgaas Tea. In downtown, the Minneapolis-based band, "The Swedish Trio," serenaded the crowd with tunes to waltz in the streets while vendors sold their wares to folks gathering during the early afternoon.
To wrap up the day, folks huddled the sidewalks of Main Street in the heart of Milan for the annual Uff-da parade. Dancers in polyester, members of the longstanding Milan Community Band and Vikings riding in ship-shaped floats kept the crowd amused and entertained into the early afternoon.
Milan residents hailing from the Federated States of Micronesia carry the Norwegian flag and the flag of Micronesia during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Ross Sutter of Minneapolis-based band, "The Swedish Trio," performs during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
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Inclement weather proceeded throughout much of the day, with an expected 6 to 10 inches of snowfall from the storm being expected by the time the storm started tapering off in Kandiyohi County on Friday evening.
Members of the Polyester Pack dance down Main Street while taking part in the parade during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
A man and child dressed in Viking attire ride in a float along Main Street during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Milan resident Carol Ford adjusts her herbs for sale at a vendor booth during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
A boy rides his bike in downtown Milan on Main Street during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Milan residents hailing from the Federated States of Micronesia walk down Main Street during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Parade attendees grab candy during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Colton Moen of Appleton fills out places and things he's seen around Milan while completing a scavenger hunt during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Members of American Legion Club Post 359 march down Main Street during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Milan residents hailing from the Federated States of Micronesia walk down Main Street during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Macy Moore / West Central Tribune
Members with the Milan Community Band perform during A Taste of Syttende Mai in Milan on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Several businesses recently changed hands in the Perham area and a church turned restaurant is celebrating its fourth year in business as the community readies for the arrival of the warm-weather crowd.
Watermark Art Center and Neilson Spearhead Center are set to offer hike and paint classes on June 14, 15 and 17 at the Neilson Spearhead Center, 48851 County 29 in Bemidji.
The 2023 Take a Kid Fishing Weekend overlaps with the national Get Outdoors Day, which falls on Saturday, June 10, and provides Minnesotans with free admission to state parks.
The Sanford Center is set to host Hellzapoppin: The World-Famous Traveling Circus Freakshow on June 22-24 as part of the group's “Shortyth Anniversary Decade of Destruction Tour.”
Macy Moore is an award-winning photojournalist at the West Central Tribune in Willmar, Minnesota. She can be reached via email: mmoore@wctrib.com or phone: 320.214.4338.
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