If you live in Kane County, you’re probably familiar with Geneva’s Swedish Days, the granddaddy of all summer festivals and a six-day extravaganza that really is a rollicking good time.

But far lesser known, far more authentic in terms of Swedish heritage and every bit as fun is the annual Swedish Day event at Good Templar Park. This year’s Swedish Day takes place on Father’s Day, June 15, and it makes for a pretty-close-to-perfect “Ya Sure” surprise if your dad has a little lutefisk in him.

I think it’s one of the best-kept summer-fun secrets in Kane County. So I’m going to share some info here, courtesy of the SwedishDay.net website.

Swedish Day (Svenskarnas Dag, Inc.) is the Midwest’s oldest midsummer festival, dating back to 1911 and held on the third Sunday of June (June 15, 2014) at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva, IL 60134.

It’s an ethnic festival, organized by the Swedish Day Committee of  IOGT, that has entertained the Fox Valley area for generations. In fact, this upcoming Swedish Day is the 104th annual celebration.

Admission is $5 for adults, but children 12 and under get into the park for free — as do anyone dressed in traditional Scandinavian folk costumes.

I’m a big fan of the food, which includes the fried herring breakfast and Swedish pancake breakfast, Swedish coffee bread and Swedish meatball dinner. They also serve sloppy Joes (or Yoes), hamburgers and hot dogs, and almond tarts. I, personally, go for the fried herring breakfast, but that’s just me. (I should probably mention that my mother’s maiden name was Shewalter and my grandmother’s maiden name was Carlson.)

“Come out for the day and enjoy beautiful Good Templar Park! This family event has something for everyone: Arts & Crafts Fair, Scandinavian Food, Maypole Celebration, Live Music, Children’s Choir,” the website says.

Swedish Day Schedule

• 9:00AM   Gates Open
• 9:30AM   Viking Encampment
• 10:00AM   Children’s Games start (run all day)
• 10:00AM Viking Ship Presentation (From 10am – 4pm, hourly)
• 10:00AM Worship Service (at Main Stage)
• 11:00AM Viking Ship Presentation
• 12 Noon Cottage Walk (meet at Swedish Day Crafts Booth)
• 12 Noon Viking Ship Presentation
• 12 Noon Maypole Raising & Dancing
  • Procession:
    • Christopher Karl, Violin
    • Swedish American Children’s Choir
  • Dance Leaders: Linda & Paul Muhr
• 12:30PM  3rd Annual Lutefisk Toss
• 1:00PM Cottage Walk (meet at Swedish Day Crafts Booth)
• 1:00PM  Viking Ship Presentation
• 1:15PM  Opening Ceremony (at Main Stage)
  • Procession of Flags
  • Posting of Colors: Boy Scout Troop #1, St. Charles
  • National Anthems: Marguerite Karl, Soprano
  • Welcome: Carl Gustafson, President, Swedish Day 2014
  • Remarks: Honored Guests
  • Introduction of Performers & Master of Ceremonies: Dr. Paul R. Muhr
  • Main Program
    • 1:30PM–Swedish American Children’s Choir
    • 2:10PM–ABBA Salute

  (All Sound provided all day by RJ Recording & Sound of Geneva, IL)

• 2:00PM Cottage Walk (meet at Swedish Day Crafts Booth)
• 3:00PM Cottage Walk (meet at Swedish Day Crafts Booth)
• 3:00PM Viking Ship Presentation
• 4:00PM 50/50 Raffle Drawing
• 4:00PM Viking Ship Presentation
• 4:00PM LAST Cottage Walk (meet at Swedish Day Crafts Booth)

• All Day: Enjoy Swedish Delicacies from the Restaurant and our
  “Kaffe Stuga”, Children’s games, Crafts and Viking Encampment