Photos from Syttende Mai Festival of Stoughton, WI's post

Downtown Stoughton is getting ready. Are you?

www.stoughtonwi.com

Q: Hey, I'm a kid. What can I do at Syttende Mai? 🇧🇻️ A: So much! Enter the Ugly Troll Contest! Run in the Lil' Syttende Mai Community Run Saturday morning! Play on inflatable structures at River Bluff Saturday and Sunday! Be in or watch the Children's Parade on Saturday! Get your face painted and check out special musical performances at The Next Generation all weekend! Hang out at the Street Dance on Jefferson St Friday night! Plus, Norwegian horses and dogs on display at River Bluff, the Big Norwegian Parade on Sunday, performances by the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers and so much more! Register and check out the full schedule by following the links in the photos!

www.stoughtonwi.com

Who's hungry?

The King & Queen's first dance! #impromptu

Photos from Syttende Mai Festival of Stoughton, WI's post

The Syttende Mai Festival is so very excited to be welcoming King Oscar Seafood​ back for their fourth year in a row! King Oscar has become a Festival favorite and their sponsorship goes a long way toward making the whole thing happen! Plus, they show us all a great time every year with their good humor and even better sardines! Be sure to stop by the King Oscar tent on Division St and say hello to the guys! What's your favorite King Oscar story?

Photos from Syttende Mai Festival of Stoughton, WI's post

The 2017 Syttende Mai Festival Commemorative Coins are ready! Every year, the Syttende Mai Executive Committee selects two images for the Festival’s Commemorative Coin. One side typically represents something special in Stoughton, with the other side representing Norway. The Coin was first minted in 1966 with the State of Wisconsin on one side and a Viking Ship on the reverse. Past Stoughton images have included the ski jump, the Norwegian Dancers and the clock tower along with noted Stoughton residents like Per Lysne and Ethel Kvalheim. Norwegian representations have incorporated Odin, Oslo City Hall and different landmarks in Gjøvik, our sister city. This year, the Executive Committee selected Stoughton Rotary Park on the “Stoughton side” of the Coin. Stoughton Rotary Park is host to live music all summer long and has become a staple of outdoor music enjoyment in Stoughton. Its logical complement then, are instruments from Norway. You’ll find the Psalmodicon, Zither and Concertina shown on the back side of the coin. Many thanks to Prizepromos for donating the Coin setup. Start your Coin collection for just $12! Coins are available at the Chamber of Commerce office (532 E Main St) and soon at many retailers throughout Stoughton. Take a piece of Stoughton history home with you!

Timeline Photos

Prince Theodore and Princess Caitlin are looking stunning in their bunads!

www.stoughtonwi.com

Whoa, hey! Check it out! The 2017 Syttende Mai Festival Schedule of Events is ready! What's your favorite Syttende Mai activity? (Printable version on that website, too!)

Syttende Mai Festival Arts and Crafts Fair of Stoughton, WI

stoughtonwi.com

The Syttende Mai Canoe Race is now accepting applications! Get yours here (it's in the photos on this post) or by visiting http://stoughtonwi.com/syttendemai/canoe_race.asp Happy Paddling!

Syttende Mai Festival of Stoughton, WI's cover photo

Photo Credit: Smith Photography Marty and Jean were both born and raised in Stoughton. Jean was raised on a farm where she got lots of exercise milking cows, doing field work and learned the fine points of how to raise tobacco. She recalls that the only air-conditioner she remembers was the big shade tree in the front yard! Marty was a city boy but also spent many summers in the tobacco fields of several area farms. Both attended Stoughton public schools. Marty Attended St. Ann’s grade school for 3 years and Jean attended Western Koshkonong Lutheran grade school for eight years and both graduated from Stoughton High School in 1970. While in school Marty was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, played on the Stoughton High School football team, and worked both at Overland and Forton Mobil and Sunnyside Resort. Jean participated in high school choir and was in the cast of several school musicals. Marty and Jean were friends in high school, having double dated but not as a couple. They started dating each other after graduation. In 1971 Marty married the girl who stole his heart, Jean Hougan. Marty’s heritage is both Dutch and German but claims to be Norwegian by default through his wife who has strong ties to her Norwegian heritage. Jean is a descendent of the original Koshkonong Prairie Norwegian settlers. Her family comes from the Eastern District of Norway (Ostlandet). Her father’s family comes from Seljord, a municipality in Telemark County Norway and her mother’s family comes from the Gudbrad Valley (Gudbrandsdalen), a valley and district in the Norwegian County of Oppland. After high school graduation, Marty started his working career at NEFCO Filter; a Division of Nelson Muffler. He then chose to learn the electrical trade which led to a partnership at DOC Electric. In 1972 he became a member of the Stoughton Volunteer Fire Department and in 2003 he took on the responsibility as Fire Chief. In 2005 Marty became Stoughton’s first full time chief. He retired in 2014 having served SFD for 42 years. Jean was a stay at home mom with their two children, Robbie (Nicole) Lamers and Rachel (Lance) Royston. She was active in Stoughton schools serving as a volunteer in many capacities. She also gave many hours of her time to the SFD helping with various fund raising and social department events. She is an active life-long member of Western Koshkonong Church where she has served as a Sunday school teacher, Treasurer of the Woman’s Organization, and along with the entire family helped at many Lutefisk dinners. Jean is a member of the Stoughton Festival Choir and served as the music librarian for many years. Marty has served the community as a Youth Hockey coach, is a member of Stoughton Rotary Club, a recipient of two Paul Harris Fellow’s and the President’s Citation for “Service Above Self.” He is a founding member of the Stoughton EMS, and is a past president of the Dane County Fire Chief’s Association. He put his electrical talents together with a request from the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce and started the Stoughton Holiday Light Display at Rotary Park in 2011. He coordinated work on the display and has added and improved this beautiful display each succeeding year. In addition he has a family holiday carnival light display at his home that has been a destination for many families for over 30 years. Both Jean and Marty feel blessed that their family has stayed close so that they are able to spend lots of time with their 5 grandchildren (Riley, Ryan, Ruby, Robby, and Rebecca). They are very proud to call Stoughton their home and are both proud and humbled to be chosen to reign at this year’s Syttende Mai Celebration.

Timeline Photos

We are so very excited to announce the 2017 Syttende Mai Festival Prince and Princess! Presenting Princess Caitlin Kreger! She's 9 years old and is a 3rd grader at Kegonsa Elementary. Her proud parents are Rob and Ami Kreger. And Prince Theodore Chose! He's 8 years old and is a 3rd grader at Sandhill Elementary. His proud parents are Nick and Maureen Chose. Congratulations Caitlin and Theodore!