HISTORY: "Syttende Mai" - in
Norwegian means "the 17th of May". When Norwegians
mention the day they are referring to their annual
celebration of the signing of the Norwegian
constitution on May 17, 1814, in Eidsvoll, Norway.
Individual cities in Norway may have different
traditions for their parade. Trondheim has two
parades: A morning children's parade (Barnetoget) with
children from the city's schools (20,00 children
marched in 2014!). An afternoon "Citizens Parade"
(Borgertoget) where firefighters,
sports teams, students associations and other
associations are represented. One of our members
marched in this parade for the 200th
anniversary of the signing of the constitution in
2014.
Chicago's
Syttende Mai events can't possibly be like the magnitude
of its counterpart in Oslo, Norway, depicted above with
100,000 people including children from over 100 schools,
every year the Norwegian National League hosts a parade at Hodges Park in Park
Ridge, Illinois, and a banquet in
celebration of Norway's Constitution Day in May. The
parade is normally on the Sunday after Mother's Day.
PRE-PARADE: Begin at 12:00 PM and include
activities for children, vendors, and
refreshments.
PARADE: As in Norway,
anyone who choses to do so can ask to participate in
the parade sponsored by the Norwegian National League.
The parade itself starts at
1:00PM and lasts about 1 hour with viewers
lining the streets often cheering marchers,
especially ones where they might have a
connection to them.
POST-PARADE: After the parade festivities continue in Hodges Park along with entertainment, awards, speeches, food, information tables and lots of photo opportunities on this fun day. Traditional dancers perform and you get to join at the end in the "grand march". Students receiving a scholarship or award from the League typically receive them in a ceremony during the post-parade festivities.
BANQUET: The League
presents a banquet in celebration of Norway's
Constitution Day in May. Often held the day before the
Syttende Mai (Constitution Day). The banquet is
usually held at a nice venue such as a country club
and features a Norwegian themed meal, entertainment
and a guest speaker.