Rochester Citizens Group - Swede Hall

06/01/2026

On behalf of the 🇸🇪Swede Day Rochester Mid-Sommer Festival I would like to inform everyone of a slight change to our programming this year.

Due to the lack of interest and no applications, we do not have a 2026 Swede Day Rochester’s Mid-Sommer Court. 👑

💫🌟In lieu of our traditional Coronation on Friday June 19, 2026 we will be having a Royalty Court Social.

The Social will be a time for us as a community to mingle with past 🇸🇪Swede Day Royalty and local Royalty and Dignitaries.

We will have a short program📜, time to mingle, listen to Swedish music 🎶, eat refreshments and enjoy our traditional strawberry short cake. 🍰

We encourage our community to come and enjoy the evening, and celebrate the kickoff of our Swede Day Rochester’s Mid-Sommer Festival. 🇸🇪💙💛

06/01/2026

📌Reminder- We have our last committee meeting of the 2026 🇸🇪Swede Day Rochester’s Mid-Sommer Festival, tomorrow night at 6pm.

If you are on a committee or plan to volunteer in any capacity please plan to attend.

👐If you want to Volunteer we could still use the help. Many hands make light work. Please PM for details.

www.swedehall.org

05/28/2026

Meet lifelong Rochester resident Kate Peterson who truly embodies community spirit! 🌟

Born and raised in Rochester (with a few years away in Pullman), she proudly calls Independence Valley “the most beautiful place on earth.” A mom of three sons and grandma to one grandson, family and community are at the heart of everything she does.

As a 6th grade teacher, coach, volunteer, MC for Swede Day Coronation, and founder of the BookJoy Book Bus, she has dedicated countless hours to serving Rochester. During the 2020 shutdown, she turned a dream into reality by creating the BookJoy Book Bus—a mobile lending library bringing books directly to our community and helping inspire a love of reading for all ages. 📚🚌

She’s also launching Warrior Walk Wednesdays this June to encourage families to unplug, connect, walk, play, and read together.

When asked her favorite part about Rochester, her answer was simple: the people. 💙💛
Rochester’s grit, generosity, and pride are what make this community special—and people like Kate are a big reason why.

Thank you for everything you do to make Rochester stronger!

05/28/2026

A quick update about our Royalty Court Social.

05/27/2026

🇸🇪Swede Day Rochester Mid-Sommer Festival 2026 Events Calendar. 🗓️

05/27/2026

🌸🇸🇪 Traditional Midsummer Celebrations in Sweden 🇸🇪🌸

One of the most loved and beautiful traditions in Sweden is the celebration of Midsummer — a festival filled with joy, music, nature, and centuries-old customs. ☀️🌿

Celebrated during the longest days of the year, Midsummer marks the arrival of summer and brings families, friends, and entire communities together across the country. From small villages to major cities, people gather outdoors to enjoy the warmth, greenery, and magical Nordic atmosphere.

🌼 Flowers, Dancing & Traditions
A central symbol of the celebration is the decorated maypole, covered in flowers and greenery, around which people dance and sing traditional songs. Many wear flower crowns, traditional clothing, and enjoy festive activities that have been passed down through generations.

🍓 Traditional Food & Festivities
No Swedish Midsummer is complete without classic dishes like pickled herring, fresh potatoes, salmon, strawberries, and summer desserts shared around long outdoor tables. The atmosphere is full of laughter, music, and celebration late into the bright Scandinavian evening.

🌞 A Celebration of Nature & Togetherness
For many Swedes, Midsummer is more than just a holiday — it’s a cultural tradition that celebrates light, nature, family, and community. It reflects the deep connection Nordic people have with the changing seasons and the beauty of summer after long winters.

📸 From flower-covered fields to lakeside gatherings and midnight sunsets, Swedish Midsummer remains one of Europe’s most iconic and magical traditions.

05/25/2026

🇸🇪There is still time to get your parade application in for Swede Day Rochester’s Mid-Sommar Festival.

1. You can download an application from the
🇸🇪Swede Hall Website: www.swedehall.org and mail application and payment to:
Columbia Bank ‭–‬ PO Box 507
Rochester WA 98579. Attn: Tasha Griffis

2. You can pick up an application at Papa's Diner 🍽️fill it out while you eat breakfast or lunch and drop it off at Columbia Bank with
your entry fee.

3. Stop by Columbia Bank 🏦 in Rochester WA and fill out your application and pay your entry fee.

💵 Entry fee is $15.

📌 Please return your completed entry form and fee to Columbia Bank ‭–‬ PO Box 507
Rochester WA 98579. Attn: Tasha Griffis.

🗓️ Applications are due by June 18!

🔵 1 Swede Day button per parade entry.

🎉 Looking forward to seeing all of our parade entries.

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

Mark your calender! 🗓️

We are less than a month away from our
Annual 🇸🇪Swede Day Rochester’s Mid-Sommar Festival.🇸🇪