Visitors to Scandinavian Days May 25-26 should plan to visit the Ephraim Square, located at about 90 North Main in Ephraim. Historic Ephraim Square encompasses three historic buildings, the Ephraim Co-op, the Old Granary Art Center and the Bishop’s Storehouse.

Events at Ephraim Square kick off with the annual quilt show on Friday, May 25, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It is held upstairs in the Ephraim Co-op, 96 North Main. Don’t worry about climbing stairs, an elevator is available.

Lots of Scandinavian items will be for sale including, flags, Viking hats, collector’s items, flower headbands, aebleskiver pans, ornaments, Danish peppernuts, Swedish Bratzlies, the co-op’s famous fudge and Lingonberry Jam, which can be hard to find.

On Saturday, May 26, the Ephraim Co-op will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and will feature a taster’s table, with lots of items to sample. Ephraim Square explorers will also find the Olde Crafter’s Village and art for kids.

There will be various traditional artisans demonstrating trades such as a blacksmith, wood worker, Swedish rug weaving, soap maker and doll carver. In addition, artists will demonstrate bobbin lace, tatting, crocheting, knitting, and yarn spinning.

New this year will be a jewelry maker, a crafter that makes Nordic socks, and the Icelandic Association of Utah. Anyone who wants to learn about a craft or have some fun are welcome.

The Old Granary Art Center, 86 North Main, will have a huge tent with lots of children’s art activities to keep them busy.

Crafters may charge a small fee for items the children can make in the Olde Crafter’s Village. Crafter’s items will also be available for purchase.

History

The Ephraim Co-op building and the Old Granary Art Center were constructed of Oolite stone between 1871 and 1874. They are a rare example of Greek revival architecture with a King Post Truss roof.

The co-op building was built to serve residents of the area with merchandise from the parent ZCMI company in Salt Lake City, through which many items became available in the area for the first time, including store-bought shoes and lace.

The building also housed the first post office, a dance hall, and the upstairs housed the Sanpete Stake Academy from 1888 to 1904, which later became Snow College. It was the center for many town meetings and educational activities.

The granary was built for the LDS Church Relief Society to feed the hungry. The granary is now the location of the Central Utah Art Center and the co-op is now a gift and craft store.

For more information call (435) 283-6654 or visit their Facebook page at Ephraim Coop Mercantile.