Submitted by Rochester Citizens Group
The Rochester Citizens Group is delighted to announce the schedule for this year’s highly anticipated Swede Day Celebration, taking place on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 21, in Rochester. This annual festival promises a weekend filled with traditional Swedish culture, delicious food, and community fun. Highlights of the festival include the beloved traditional Swedish pancake breakfast, a meatball lunch, strawberry shortcake, the grand Swede Day Parade, and the festive Maypole Dance.
“We are excited this year to announce that in addition to our Grand Marshals Dick, Nancy, and Stan Erickson, we have selected Inger Svensson Jullery from Sweden as our first-ever Honorary Rochester Citizen for the Day,” said Barb Hangartner, Swede Day Committee Chairperson. “Inger has traveled many years from Sweden to attend Swede Day, and we will also have a special interview session with her at Swede Hall in the afternoon.”
On Friday June 20 the Royalty Coronation will take place at Swede Hall and a new Swede Day Queen will be chosen from the current court of Jamie Arreglado, Naomi Hayden and Lizeth Venegas. The Coronation will take place at 6 PM, is free to attend and will feature Strawberry Short Cake after the Queen is announced. Following the Coronation new this year will be the Royalty Court Coronation Ball 7 to 10 PM in the Swede Hall Main Event Room. The cost is $10.
Saturday, June 21, will be a full day of fun activities. The day will start off with a traditional Swedish Pancake Breakfast at Swede Hall from 7 to 9 AM and will include Swedish pancakes with loganberry jam with Cool Whip, sausage, coffee, and orange juice. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for 12 and under. The breakfast is being coordinated by Rochester Scout Troop 9317.
There will be a presentation by Dick Erickson about the History of Swede Hall and Independence Valley 8 to 8:45 AM in the Swede Hall Main Event room and is free to attend.
Fun activities will take place from 9 AM to 3 PM and will include arts, crafts and food vendors. It takes place in the Swede Hall Parking lot.
The 46th Annual Swede Day Rochester Mid-Sommer Festival Parade will take place at 11 AM. The parade route takes place on Highway 12 and begins at Paulson Street, proceeds west to Albany Street, turns left, and continues to Swede Hall. The parade is sponsored and coordinated by Umpqua Bank. FREE: Shuttle starts running at 7 AM and will run every 10-15 minutes as the bus circulates. Parade spectators are encouraged to park at the shuttle stops: Gresham Street field across from Subway, the middle school parking lot, and the school district office parking lots. Handicap parking is available at Swede Hall. Hwy 12 closes at 10:30 and will not reopen until the parade is complete.
A traditional Maypole dance will take place in the afternoon, and everyone is encouraged to dance around the Maypole to Swedish Music. It will take place in front of Swede Hall at the flagpole.
“We are honored to announce that the Grand Marshals for this year’s Rochester Swede Day Mid-Sommer Festival are Dick and Nancy Erickson, and Stan Erickson” said Swede Day Committee chair Barb Hangartner.
The Erickson’s were nominated for their dedication to preserving and sharing the rich Swedish-Finnish history of the Rochester and Independence Valley area. Dick Erickson, with contributions from many local residents, has authored a book “Immigrants of the Independence Valley” chronicling the history of Independence.
Although they no longer reside in the area full-time, the Erickson’s remain deeply connected to the Rochester community—especially Swede Hall. Dick’s parents and extended family helped build Swede Hall in 1939, and the Dick & Stan’s parents was previously recognized as Grand Marshals in 1997.
For decades, Dick and Stan have played key roles in Swede Day celebrations. Since 1992, their family has participated in the Swede Day Parade as a group of Norse pirates known as “the Vikings,” dressing up and delighting parade goers with a glimpse of traditional Viking culture. Although they took a four-year break from the parade, they returned last year with great enthusiasm—and were a crowd favorite.
The Erickson family farm, located in Independence Valley, was originally purchased by their great-grandfather in 1897. Dick and Stan spent their childhoods on the farm, which continues to be enjoyed by their children and grandchildren. In 1992, Dick and Nancy purchased the farm to ensure it remained in the family. Today, the farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to Dick’s efforts in preserving its history.
Dick, Stan, and Nancy come from Swedish Finn backgrounds and are proud of their Nordic heritage. The Erickson’s have traced and reconnected with many family members across generations and continents.
Following his retirement, Dick became active in the Swedish Finn Historical Society, based in Seattle, Washington. In 2025, the society held its annual international meeting at Swede Hall—another testament to the Ericksons’ deep involvement in preserving local heritage.
“We are proud to honor Dick, Nancy, and Stan Erickson as Grand Marshals for their ongoing commitment to Rochester’s Swede Day Mid-Sommer Festival and the legacy of Rochester’s Nordic roots.” Hangartner said.
The Swede Day Parade will be on Saturday, June 21st at 11am on Highway 12. It starts at Paulson Street in Rochester and goes west to Albany Street and ends at Swede Hall. It is free to attend.
Swede Day is coordinated by the Rochester Citizens Group Swede Day committee of twenty-plus members who meet monthly year-round to plan the festivities. For more information about Swede Day, visit here.
