Screenshot
It takes a village to put on Decorah’s annual Nordic Fest each year, and two members of that proverbial village are being honored at this year’s celebration of all things Scandinavian July 25-27.
Holtan Grouws selected as Skal recipient
The 2024 Nordic Fest Skål Recipient is Jeni Holtan Grouws of Decorah. Organizers said the Fest Skål Recipient is an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and continuing support of the yearly celebration.
Since 2009, Holtan Grouws has contributed to the spirit and sound of Nordic Fest through integral roles – serving as a Nordic Dancer director for 10 years, a Nordic Fest board member for six-plus years, and as a musician — with three different bands — in the festival’s entertainment lineup each of the last 14 years.
Holtan Grouws first experienced Nordic Fest in 1996, with enthusiastic encouragement from her parents to make sure to see the Nordic Dancers — a group that was noted for being unique compared to other festivals’ offerings and traditions. Impressed from the start, this year’s honoree later found herself saying yes to becoming a Nordic Dancers director, following her daughter Ella’s successful audition to join the group. Her daughter Lillian also joined as a member of the Nordic Dancer orchestra.
“I’m very proud to have been a part of that group,” Holtan Grouws said. “The Nordic Dancers really are special, and people so often forget they are just kids, who are busy but continue to get up there and carry on a tradition that is emblematic of Decorah.”
In addition to her involvement with Nordic Dancers, Holtan Grouws served on the Nordic Fest Board as the entertainment chair and the Nordic Dancers liaison. She coordinated the yearly Nordic Fest entertainment lineup and actively worked to expand the diversity and range of offerings.
“By being on a non-profit board, and by serving at events, you are helping to create special opportunities and an economic advantage for the community,” she said. “It’s easy to let other people do it, but at some point you have to say, when is it my turn to give back?”
Holtan Grouws highly recommends trying the meatballs during Nordic Fest, which are available at the food booth sponsored by the Decorah High School cross country team. She also recommends taking in the free music and entertainment, and making sure to catch at least one Nordic Dancer performance — of course. Holtan Grouws herself will be joining the festival’s lineup of entertainment again this year. She’ll be performing with the Avey Grouws Band from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Saturday under Canopy 2, and she said she would love to see plenty of Nordic Fest-goers in the crowd.
Scott named grand marshal
Paul Scott of Decorah has been named grand marshal of the 2024 Nordic Fest parade.
The Nordic Fest Board of Directors said the grand marshal is an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding services to the community.
Scott has spent nearly four decades expanding Decorah’s opportunities to gain news and information. He has also contributed to local beautification projects and supported the work of area non-profit organizations.
He originally moved to Decorah in 1985 after purchasing KDEC radio, which he owned for nearly 10 years and was able to expand to include FM radio. In 2001, Scott’s passion for sharing public information — and the insistence of others — led him to create decorahnews.com. While he originally had to explain what a website even was, decorahnews.com grew to see 3 million-plus visits each year before Scott sold it to Lon Haenel in 2023.
Outside of his career in media, Scott has been actively involved in causes around the Decorah area, giving special attention to opportunities which have directly connected to Decorah’s Downtown District. Paul, finding inspiration while traveling, helped launch initiatives such as the summer downtown flower basket program — inspired by a visit to Red Wing, Minnesota — and the Water Street Park project — inspired by a trip to Spring Green, Wisconsin. While every project needs to start with an idea, he said that the execution is often a team effort, and he especially thanked Norm Smith for making the flower basket program a success through creative solutions for watering the flower baskets regularly.
Scott has also been an active member of the Decorah Rotary Club, serving as the president twice during his involvement. Scott encourages others to “just speak up and volunteer” in their community, noting there are always people, projects and organizations looking for extra hands and energy to assist with efforts.
While attending Nordic Fest, the 2024 grand marshal recommends enjoying at least one bratwurst, available at the food booth sponsored by Luther College. He said his favorite fest activity is the street dance hosted by Foot-Notes, honoring the traditions of “the old country” — the event will be offered twice this year.
Submit A Comment
Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.