by Jacob Jennen
As the community of the two neighboring cities of Fargo and Moorhead grow each and every day, the cultural diversity does so as well. The city of Moorhead, Minnesota's Hjemkomst Center located downtown does their part to make sure the citizens know about the cultures that make up their communities.
As partners with the Hjemkomst Center, the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCSCC) puts on several events at the Hjemkomst Center to celebrate the cultures that make up Fargo/Moorhead.
Once the Red River Valley hits the fall season, The German Kulturefest can be expected to be heard from blocks away as the polka bands start off the festival on September 16th. “We have a polka band come all the way from Wisconsin to play at our festival” said Matt Eidem, Director of Museum Operations at the HCSCC.
“Festival goers really enjoy the other German cultural displays we have, like bratwurst and beer.” Said Eidem. The German Kulturefest focuses on German culture heritage of the past and German culture that one could see today. The German Kulturefest is located at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Pangea- Cultivate Our Cultures is the area’s largest free festival with just under 2,000 people attending each year. Pangea- Cultivate Our Cultures is aimed to celebrate all the different cultures that make up Fargo/Moorhead all in one event. “As Fargo-Moorhead is one of the country’s largest refugee locations in America.” Said Eidem. “Pangea has a little bit of everything for everyone.”
The festival has become more and more diverse over the years leaning more away from European and Scandinavian cultures and more towards African and Middle Eastern while still celebrating the European and Scandinavian cultures. The Pangea- Cultivate Our Culture is a one-day event at the Hjemkomst Center and starts at 10:00a.m. and goes until 4:00p.m.
The Midwest Vikings festival is a cultural event that brings in thousands of event goers that are eager to learn and be involved in the history of the Vikings. The event highlights Viking traditions and craftsmanship that the Nordic culture has to offer. “There is a group of Black Smithers from Texas that make an appearance and show people true Viking metal work” said Eidem.
The “Viking Village” outside the Hjemkomst Center will be filled with food, arts, venders, crafts, games, songs and about everything else one might expect from the Vikings. The event focuses on authenticity and fun for the visitors that attend the festival.
The Midwest Vikings Festival is going on its 41st year of celebration June 22nd through the 23rd. The festival is located at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead.
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