Celebrating Syttende Mai in Alaska

My town is in Alaska but was founded and owned by Norway until 1952, consequently although we are technically in the USA we celebrate Syttende Mai; Norwegian Independence Day! Banks, schools, and streets close down for a week-long festival with parades, street food like Norwegian waffles and pickled herring, music performances, log rolling and herring tossing games and more. Many in town still speak Norwegian and wear their traditional clothing this week. People come from all over Alaska to participate and the Norwegian Ambassador visits as well!

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