Current Issue Articles

Centennial Fever
by Ann Blumenthal and staff,

Editors Note: The SYV Guest will have updates in each quarterly issue during the 2011 to keep our readers abreast of Solvang's latest exciting Centennial events.

	olvang’s Centennial celebration is in full swing, with visitors and events	Solvang’s “Danish Days,” now celebrating its 75th year, has evolved as an important means of passing Danish traditions and culture down from one generation to the next. Photo courtesy of SolvangUSA.com
crowding the calendar. A royal visit and major bicycle race dominated the early part of the summer, with even more exciting events ahead, from the American premier of a Stephen Schwartz musical to the 75th annual Danish Days. The Amgen Tour of California Individual Time Trial Stage on May 20 was a huge success, with spectators lining the streets to see some of the world’s top cyclists ride through the village to the finish line. Then Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark arrived early in June to celebrate Solvang’s centennial and his own 77th birthday. It was his first visit since 1976, when he and Queen Margrethe ll visited Solvang together, and a crowd of about 600 people filled Solvang Park to welcome him and wish him a happy birthday. After dedicating the new Centennial Plaza on Alisal Rd., he and his entourage of Danish officials shared an al fresco dinner for 180 people at Rusack Vineyards on Ballard Canyon Road.

HRH Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark arrived early in June to celebrate Solvang’s centennial and his own 77th birthday where a crowd of about 600 people gathered in Solvang Park to share some birthday cake..
Photo courtesy of SolvangUSA.com

So what is ahead? Read on!

On the third Wednesday of every month Solvang dedicates a new Heritage Trail site and the public is invited. The historical walking tour around downtown Solvang honors points of interest celebrating Solvang’s rich cultural heritage. When completed, the Heritage Trail will connect over two dozen sites, tying together Chumash, Spanish, Californian and Danish cultures. Come on the third Wednesday of any month in 2011 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to enjoy a new site dedication, tour and complimentary refreshments. July’s theme is Solvang Links, in honor of the 35th Anniversary of Solvang’s Little Mermaid Statue and Solvang’s numerous, invaluable and very active service organizations.

The ceremony will be held July 20th at the Little Mermaid Fountain on the corner of Alisal Rd. and Mission Drive.
  Through July 24th a stunning exhibit called Cultural Fusion: The Art of Helle Sharling-Todd is on display from Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, 1624 Elverhoy Way at Second Street. This Danish-born artist is known for her public art in Denmark and the US. These pieces are the “private art” that she makes between public projects. You’ll enjoy the gorgeous sandblasted or fused glass panels, contemporary mosaics, and stainless steel sculptures. Then from July 31st to November 6th you can marvel at Danish by Design—The Art and Inspiration of Rick James Marzullo. Best known for his intricate papercuttings in the Danish Folk tradition, the work of this Santa Ynez Valley artist is sought after by collectors from all over the world. The exhibit will include paintings, papercuttings, ceramics, and design work for projects in stained glass, wrought iron, Danish folk costumes, and traditional Danish handwork and the decorative arts.
  On Sunday, August 14th, the 40th Annual Old Mission Santa Inés Fiesta on the front lawn of the Mission will fill the air with music and the delectable aromas of authentic California barbeque. There’s no admission fee and the crafts and game booths for kids and adults raise funds to support the ongoing restoration at the Mission. You can even take a self-guided tour of the historic church for $5. Kids 11 and under are free. The Mission has a wealth of history on display in its paintings, artifacts, statuary and manuscripts.
  Wednesday, August 20th the Solvang Heritage Trail Dedication Ceremony will honor Cultural Diversity from 2: 30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 Second Street. There will be refreshments, and don’t forget to take advantage of the special Third Wednesday discounts and sales that over 60 participating merchants, restaurants and businesses around the Village of Solvang offer all day. There is also a Wine Walk from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., for $20 (cash only please) which includes a wine glass and tasting at 5 wine establishments of your choice.
  The Annual Wheels ’n’ Windmills Car Show will bring hot rods, muscle cars, roadsters, pro street cars, motorcycles and more to First Street between Oak Street and Copenhagen Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 27th. Proceeds will benefit Jonata Elementary school.
  The Team Solvang 100 - San Francisco to Solvang Bike Ride is a six-day, central coast Bike Ride with Danish dignitaries, celebrities and diplomats riding down the coast from September 10th to 15th, concluding at Solvang Park. Local cyclists are invited to attend the last leg from Pismo Beach into Solvang.

Tne new Centennial Plaza on Alisal Road in Solvang
The new Centennial Plaza on Alisal Road was completed this past spring, and was dedicated by HRH Prince Consort Henrik of Denmark during his visit to Solvang in May.

On September 16th through 18th come and help Solvang celebrate the 75th Annual Danish Days. It is going to be the best one ever! Danish flags are flying during this festive street party featuring traditional Danish food, music and folk dancing. The fun starts on Friday with the Danish Days opening Ceremony where special guest US Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie Fulton will join us for a short story told by Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen, and the Velkommen Street Dance will have the Solvang Village Folk Dancers and Fresno Danish Dancers dancing in the street to music by “The Great Danes”. At 7:30 p.m. the Torchlight Parade will wind through town.

  Saturday and Sunday morning the traditional Danish Days Breakfast in the middle of Copenhagen Drive will offer up the savory goodness of medisterpoise sausages and scrumptious aebelskievers with jam. There’s a parade on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., and a children’s parade at 2 p.m. on Sunday in downtown Solvang. Don’t miss the art and craft exhibits, and stop in at the Elverhoj Museum on Elverhoj Way for the annual Living History Festival on Saturday and Sunday, where demonstrations of traditional Danish arts and crafts will engage and delight both kids and adults. You’ll be able to visit the Ravens of Odin (a Norse Educational group) Viking Encampment in Solvang Park where a cutting demo will feature demonstrations of reproduction Viking weapons, swords and axes, so you can see for yourself the destructive force of the actual weapons used during the Viking era. Randel McGee as Hans Christian Andersen will be telling stories at the Bookloft bookstore on Mission Drive. Tour the village in a horse drawn trolley, or watch chainsaw artists George Kenny & Charlie Hubbard transform a tree trunk into sculpture right in front of you. The Viking Beer & Wine Garden will be open all weekend.
  The Mayor of Aalborg, Denmark, Solvang’s sister city and the 34-member Aalborg Police Band are coming to mark the occasion. You can hear them from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Solvang Park, courtesy of the Rebild National Park Society. They are also hosting the Danish Days Rebild National Park Society Dinner Dance, a Danish pork roast dinner with all the trimmings by Master Chef Mogens Mortensen. “Happy Hour” will be from 6-7, and dinner at 7 followed by dancing. The cost per person is $48.00. Reservations are required and seating is limited, so order your tickets early. The party is at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1745 Mission Drive (805) 688-1535. I don’t know if you want to include this See the full schedule at www.SolvangUSA.com.
  On Wednesday, September 21st, the Solvang Heritage Trail Dedication Ceremony will celebrate Living History from 2: 30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant, Solvang’s first folk school. There will be a program and refreshments. If you’ve ever wondered whether people actually live in this fairytale village, you’ll hear about the lives and idealism of the hardworking folks who created it for the families who live and work here today.
  September 26th through October 6th is the Centennial Trip from Solvang to Aalborg, Copenhagen and other Danish destinations, castles and tours. If you’d like to come along or for more information, please call (805) 686-1644.
  Solvang isn’t done celebrating yet. The fall holds another bike ride, a haunted house, golf tournament and Julefest, when Solvang transforms itself into a northern European-style Christmas Village. The “Danish Capital of America” sure knows how to throw a party.

Centennial Events-Continuing Coverage
To keep up with all the festivities surrounding Solvang’s Centennial year, you can check the following websites for updates:
www.solvangUSA.com
www.solvang100.com
www.syvguest.com
www.elverhoj.org
www.solvangchamber.com
www.cityofsolvang.com
www.santaynezvalleyvisit.com
www.santaynezmuseum.org

Also, each issue of the Santa Ynez Valley Guest magazine will have photos and coverage of the events as they take place.