EPHRAIM--Thousands of descendants of Scandinavian pioneers to Utah and other interested folk are expected to explore elements of their heritage during the Ephraim Scandinavian Heritage Festival Thursday through Saturday, May 21-23.

Held annually prior to Memorial Day, the festival attracts over 5,000 visitors. Most events are held at Snow College, 150 East College Avenue, or Pioneer Park, about 50 North 100 West.

An estimated 650,000 Utahns trace their ancestry to 19th Century converts to the LDS Church from Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. Ephraim became a gathering place for the Scandinavians. Even today, it is known as "Little Denmark."

Highlights of this year's festival include the Scandinavian Heritage Conference. This free educational

event begins Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in the Noyes Building, Snow College, and continues Friday morning. Speakers include faculty from Brigham Young University and Snow College.

Topics will include memorializing our ancestors through the arts, Scandinavian influences on place names in Utah, the Scandinavian immigrant experience in Utah compared to in the American Midwest, and the art of pioneer Danish artist C.C.A. Christensen.

The Little Scandinavia Supper, a no-reservation, moderate cost community smorgasbord, will be held Friday evening in the Greenwood Student Center at Snow College at 6 p.m., and includes live entertainment by Caboose, an acoustic bluegrass group. The menu includes emäsalo (spicy chicken salad) and lingonberry crumb pie with caramel sauce.

On Saturday, May 23, at 8 a.m., a breakfast of æbleskiver (spherical apple pancakes) with eggs, bacon and orange juice will be served north and west of the Noyes Building. There is a nominal cost per plate. For lunch, enjoy a barbecued turkey lunch at noon for $8 at the Ephraim Senior Citizens Center, 85 West 100 North.

Five costumed performers will tell Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales and other stories Saturday afternoon. Great for kids. Free to attend. Live music with groups that include Firefly, Caboose, Lincoln Highway, The Phat Old Professors and Mechanical Skies. Free performances are on held Friday afternoon and intermittently throughout the day Saturday.

In addition to food booths and other craft booths, heritage events include Saturday morning's parade, bus tours of historic sites, log cabin tours, "old world" craft demonstrations, a bread baking contest, an art show and a quilt show. Sporting events include a fun run, golf tournament, duck race and three-on-three basketball.

There will be a Scandinavian Heritage Golf Tournament held Friday and Saturday,, May 22 and 23, at Palisade State Park Golf Course, Sterling. Contact Chris Stover at 435-835-GOLF or go to http://stateparks.utah.gov/stateparks/golf/palisade.html for additional information.

For information about all events, plus information about Ephraim's Scandinavian history and culture, go to www.scandinavianheritagefestival.com.

What a great program for all to enjoy. Families of Scandanavian descent can celebrate their heritage and all Utahns can learn about an important group of settlers and Pioneers of history of the state of Utah. All should take the trip down Highway 89 and see the offerings for Memorial Day Weekend.