Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.08.1980, Side 9

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.08.1980, Side 9
LÖGBERG-HEIMSKRINGLA, HÁTÍÐARBLAÐ 1980 Icelandic Festivals in North America 1874-1900 The first Icelandic festival in North America took place in Milwauke'e, August 2, 1874. One thousand years had then passed since Iceland was settled and Icelanders on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean celebrated this unique event. The Milwaukee celebration also served as means to unite Icelandic immigrants in North America in their attempt to establish an exclusive Icelandic settlement and reminded them to preserve their language and heritage. Sixteen years passed before another festival was organized. Heimskringla suggested an Icelandic festival in Winnipeg July 19, 1888 but it was not until Jon Olafsson was appointed as the editor of Logberg that things started rolling. In an article of June 4, 1890, he suggested that the Icelanders in Winnipeg should organize a festival in the city that summer. The response was extremely positive and following a public meeting in Winnipeg, the first Festival Committee began preparing a celebration for August 2. At 9:30 that da\ close to two thousand Icelanders gathered by the First ■ Lutheran Church on Victor Street. From there they marched along Ross Street, Isabel Street, Notre Dame, Portage Avenue, Malo Street, Rubert Street, and into Victoria Gardens. This first Icelandic festival in Canada was quite a success and local papers such as “Town Talk,” “Siftings” and “Com- mercial”, devoted con- siderable space the following week to this unique event. This was not the only Icelandic festival in North America that year. Another one took place in Seattle, Washington, on August 3. Similarily that attracted the attention of newspapers in Seattle, all of which praised this effort by the Icelanders. As a result of this suc- cess, festivals were organized in Winnipeg annually until 1931 and in Seattle throughout the 1890's. Icelanders elsewhere in North America soon followed these examples and organized festivals in their settlements, for example, at Argyle 1895, Brandon 1893, Idavelli 1894, North Dakota 1897, Pipestone 1897, and Spanish Fork, Utah, 1898. At a later date festivals took place at Wynyard, Langruth and Lundar. The Idavollur Festival Idavollur is now a part of Hnausa Park. On July 23, 1894, close to thirty Icelandic farmers met at Hnausa expecting to meet with dairy scientists from Winnipeg. Many of these settlers had brought their families with them so the total number of people gathered at Idavollur that day was between fifty ,and sixty. These farmers came from various parts of northern New Iceland and had not met each other for months. Consequently, they were in a good mood and by four o’clock, when it was apparent that the scientists from Winnipeg would not show up, a few of those who had been waiting for them were beginning to feel a little tipsy. Instead of returning home, they decided to spend the rest of the day in the Park. Supper was prepared by the women, the children played on the beach and the men sang Icelandic songs in the shade of the trees. Everyone had such a great time that it was decided to meet again the next year and the first Idavollur Festival Committee was formed. Gradually the festival at Idavollur became the main attraction for Icelanders in New Iceland. It was still popular in 1932 when Winnipeg Icelanders moved their festival to Gimli. Most of the other celebrations mentioned above did not last as long; some were held only once. J. Th. Compbments of (Stlhart 3Fttttrral ðjtrotra Htö. Fírst Street, Gimli and 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk BEST WISHES ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY THE M.S. LORD SELKIRK II Cruising Lake Winnipeg into Canada's WHderness North Enjoy a unique adventure — cruise-ship style. You will be afforded the amenities and hospitality of a gracious crew in elegant surroundings while exploring the northern parts of Lake Winnipeg. History will be retraced and a view of nature, more spectacular than any artist can reproduce, will be experienced. 2, 4 and 10-day Cruises start at $155.00 including meals, accommodation and sightseeing. Special 1-day cruises, charters and land packages in Winnipeg and Manitoba also available. For further information see your Travel Agent or contact Sub-Arctic Expeditions Inc., 1236 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba (204) 786-6588. *August 1-3, 1980— Day and Evening Cruises during "Islendingadagurinn." Contact VIKING TRAVEL — GIMLI

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