Syttende Mai marked in Hanska

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

HANSKA--With a "test" warm-up Saturday afternoon, the stage is ready for celebrating Syttende Mai--Norway's Independence Day--today in Hanska's city park and on its main street.

Festivities are launched with a pancake breakfast at the community center starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 10 a.m.

A church service at 10:30 a.m. will be followed by the crowning of a king and queen chosen from among Hanska's high school seniors. Then, at 1 p.m., a parade expected to feature 50-60 units will travel the entire length of Broadway, Hanska's main street.

"The parade will be followed at 1:45 p.m. by the Lin-Hans-RUD dancers from Hanska," said Alicia Helling, the event's general chairperson. "Then, we'll have Elvis here at 2:15 p.m. for an hour show."

As you might have guessed, it's not the real Elvis but an Elvis impersonator from the Twin Cities.

Elvis will be followed by the Froiland family singers from Stewartville, the closing act.

"There will be arts and crafts in the park; the food stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be tours of the Norwegian stabbur (a large wooden granary) in the park," Helling continued.

For those who are still hungering for entertainment, the fourth and final performance of "Algot's Top 20 Countdown" at the school will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday afternoon's "warm-up" featured music by Larry Johnson and Lloyd Larson of Fargo, N.D., and karaoke music by Me and You Karaoke and D.J.

"Sunday is always our big day, but we thought we would try having events on Saturday to see how it goes," Helling explained. "I'm pleased with the turnout so far."

Meanwhile, Leroy Flor, 73, of New Ulm was in his third day of entertaining those who toured the Stabbur with his concertina music.

"My wife has been with me the first two days, but she's off today with a family event," Flor said.

He was waiting to hear from Helling whether he would be returning for a Sunday gig at the stabbur.