Dear fellow Norsk Høstfest patrons,
My name is Amber Grause and I am the 2007 Miss Norsk Høstfest. I have attended the Norsk Høstfest for almost 30 years as a long-standing family tradition. My Grandma and Grandpa gave our family Høstfest tickets for Christmas when I was a child, and it became our family tradition to attend, camp for 10 days, volunteer at the festival, and create lifelong friendships with other Scandinavian folks. Over time, this has allowed me to bring my four children to the festival and spark a love for learning about the culture and all of the beautiful things that come with it.
Over the years, I not only represented the festival while wearing the crown as 2007 Miss Norsk Høstfest, but I also participated in the Accordion Club, served with En To Tre fine dining, my children and I have been a part of the bunad and sweater shows, my fours kids walked the halls as trolls, etc. Volunteering was what our family looked forward to yearly! Most recently, during the 2024 and 2025 festivals, I was a part of the Governor's Reception, where I decorated and brought the event to life. (I own Divine Inspirations Wedding & Event Decorating, so being a part of events has been a part of who I am for many years.)
As of today, January 29, 2026, the Norsk Høstfest board announced they are dissolving the festival completely. I know I am not the only one saddened by this news and I'm sure not the only one longing for another year of Høstfest memories. My Grandpa always joked with me that I would take over the festival one day. He and my Grandma passed away in the last couple of years and I feel a strong calling to do whatever I can to bring as many of us together to save this beloved festival's traditions. Through financial assistance, volunteer help, etc. we can rally and create something that can continue to bring all of us Scandinavians together to enjoy and celebrate our heritage and the traditions that go with it. This fundraiser will be used to help with all of the moving pieces of creating a smaller-scaled event with all the vendors, food and music we love (side stage entertainers vs. large concerts). I believe together we can still do something amazing!
If you are willing to help with supporting our mission to Save Norsk Høstfest's Traditions, please donate and share this page. I know this goal ($25,000) seems low for putting on an entire festival, but I believe that if people desire to have something incredible built, they will contribute accordingly and give generously! So if we exceed this goal then even better things can be done! Events of this scale takes a lot of support, so let's rally and create a community built on the beauty of our amazing heritage and the desire to continue to pass it on to generations to come!
Sincerely,
Amber Grause