Staff Report
As Solvang Danish Days nears its 83rd turn on Sept. 20-22, the festival continues to exemplify everything Danish by mixing “old-country charm and customs” with a more modern flavor through varied activities that blend current Danish practices with traditional ones.
The weekend’s numerous offerings for all ages include two new events, an axe-throwing arena and a guided Solvang Food and Photo Tour.
The activities also include three parades; fan-favorite food events surrounding aebleskiver, the iconic Danish pastry rounds; a Danish-style beer and wine garden serving the Danish import Carlsberg beer alongside local brews, wines and festival eats; a historical re-enactment in the form of a Viking encampment in Solvang Park; interactive history lessons at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art; and an Old World artisan crafts marketplace.
Southern California-based competitive eater and YouTube star Raina Huang (youtube.com/RainaHuang) will again travel to the Santa Ynez Valley to compete in four eating challenges.
During the 2018 festival, Huang broke all modern Solvang Danish Days records by consuming 36 aebleskiver — hands-free — in the five-minute competition.
The previous record had been set in 2016, at 18.5 aebleskiver. Last year’s non-professional eaters made Danish Days history by raising the “amateur” record to 23.
Danish Days boasts plentiful free entertainment throughout the weekend with three parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians performing all over town, and an afternoon and evening of free concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in the middle of town, adjacent to the Viking Beer and Wine Garden.
Younger Danish Days fans can enjoy family-friendly pastimes including a “Kid’s Korner” in Solvang Park featuring LEGO and other entertainments.
Returning to Danish Days this year is a town-wide restaurant promotion, in which participating eateries, bars and food shops will be “cooking up” something special just for the weekend.
More information about Solvang Danish Days, including a brief history of the event, parade applications and complete contact information, is available at www.SolvangDanishDays.org. The festival committee also posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at facebook.com/SolvangDanishDays, twitter.com/DanishDays, and @DanishDays.
