The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1977, Qupperneq 17

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
15
Festival of Manitoba instituted a new
approach to the art displays by featuring
one-man shows, in contrast to the old
format of limited items from several
contributors. In 1977, the invited artists
were painter and sculptor Gissur Elias-
son and off-hand glass-blower lone
Thorkelsson.
Other afternoon activities included
the New Iceland Music and Poetry Pro-
gram (MC’d by Len and Karen Vopn-
tjord), sky-diving parachutists over the
town and the industrial park, and track
and field events in Gimli park. A feature
attraction was a performance by the
Ladies’ Choir from Sudurnesja, Iceland,
on the main stage at Gimli park.
An Ecumenical Service, ad-
journed from the Park on ac-
count of rain, was held in the Gimli
Lutheran Church, on Sunday evening.
Dr. V. J. Eylands, recently returned
from his visit to Iceland, where he re-
ceived an honorary doctorate, preached
an inspiring sermon.
Sunday evening, a large crowd took
part in the Folk-Fest in the Park, which
was MC’d by Len and Karen Vopnljord.
This folkfest featured a most impressive
array of folk talent from around the
province.
Fireworks at Gimli harbour and an
evening dance at the Industrial Park
Recreation Centre, (with music by “Sky
High” and “Barrelhouse”), brought to a
close the second day of the festival.
The main events of the celebration,
which traditionally take place during the
Monday, began with a pancake break-
fast at Gimli harbour. The colourful
parade of floats, using an ethnic theme
and featuring Khartum Temple Shrine
Units, began from Johnson Memorial
Hospital.
The Fjallkona, Miss Caroline Gun-
narsson, with her attendants, Cheryl and
Jona Riglin, had the place of honour in
the parade. Miss Gunnarsson, of Win-
nipeg, is a former editor of Logberg-
Heimskringla and a former feature
editor of the Magazine Section of the
Winnipeg Free Press Weekly.
The Fjallkona placed a wreath at the
cairn, the memorial to commemorate
the memory of the pioneers.
After the parade, the sports program
got under way in Gimli park. This ever-
popular part of the festival featured
children’s races, special events, and
novelty races for the whole family.
Leif Bristow, who was a very busy
fellow during this year’s festival, ap-
peared with his company on the main
stage in “The Best of Broadway”.
The traditional festival program
began at 2:00. Mr. Ernest Stefanson,
President of the Icelandic Festival of
Manitoba, welcomed the guests to the
Icelandic Celebration. The audience was
asked to rise for the singing of “O
Canada” and the Icelandic national an-
them “O Gud Vors Lands”.
The Fjallkona, Miss Caroline Gun-
narsson, gave the traditional feature ad-
dress in Icelandic. The toast to Canada
was given by the Honourable Olafur
Johannesson, Minister of Justice and
Commerce, in the government of
Iceland. The toast to Iceland was given
by Dr. Frank E. Scribner of Gimli. His
Honour Lieut.-Governor F. L. (Bud)
Jobin was platform guest and spoke
briefly. Greetings to the festival were
also brought by many other speakers,
including Premier Ed Schreyer.
The musical portion of the program
was composed of excellent, professional
calibre performances by the Sudurnesja
Ladies’ Choir and soloist Mary Peterson.
An added attraction was a presentation
by the Bass Clef Singers and The Better
Half, under the direction of Helga An-
derson of Winnipeg.