The 2015 Norsk Hostfest entertainment has been released. The Septemeber 29th opening act is Abracadabra, an ABBA tribute group, that will be performing with the Minot Symphony Orchestra. Other headline entertainers include: Jeff Foxworthy, Marty Stuart with special guest Connie Smith, Celtic Thunder, Ronnie Milsap, Martina McBride, The Beach Boys and country-rock group, The Band Perry. The full news release follows below.
— Official News Release, Norsk Hostfest —
Norsk Høstfest is pleased to announce its main stage entertainment lineup for the 2015 edition of North America’s largest Scandinavian festival which runs Sept. 29 – Oct. 3.
The 38th annual Norsk Høstfest kicks off Tuesday evening, Sept. 29, with a 7 p.m. opening ceremony followed by the Høstfest Eve Concert, this year featuring The Ultimate ABBA Tribute group, Abbacadabra performing with the Minot Symphony Orchestra.
Scheduled to appear in The Great Hall of the Vikings over five nights and four days are Abbacadabra performing with the Minot Symphony Orchestra, Jeff Foxworthy, Marty Stuart with special guest Connie Smith, Celtic Thunder, Ronnie Milsap, Martina McBride, The Beach Boys and country-rock group, The Band Perry.
“Abbacadabra has been a group that our fans have been asking us to bring back to Høstfest for a few years now,” said David Reiten, Norsk Høstfest President. “Their high energy performance should be a fantastic kick-off to the festival, especially when paired with the involvement of Minot’s own symphony.”
“We like to think we’re offering something for everyone,” said Reiten. “From returning favorites like comedian Jeff Foxworthy, to new names such as the dynamic Irish-group, Celtic Thunder and country-rock sibling trio, The Band Perry.”
Høstfest fans buying The Band Perry concert tickets will now have another option to choose from this year as the festival will add a standing room “pit” area in front of the stage for this concert only.
“Country fans want to stand and sing during the concerts,” Reiten said. “So, we figured we would try to accommodate them and try something new.”
Tickets go on sale 8 a.m., CDT, Monday, May 18, with VIP seating at $82 and reserved seats at $62. Abbacadabra Opening Night tickets are $36 VIP / $25 reserved. Tickets can be ordered online at hostfest.com, by calling (701) 852-2368, or in person at 1020 S. Broadway, Minot ND 58701.
FREE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
In addition to the Great Hall entertainment, Norsk Høstfest offers free stage acts several times during the festival. Høstfestivarians will see a return of many of their favorite acts such as Bjøro Haaland and Williams & Ree and enjoy new talent come from across the Atlantic such as Telemark’s very own Didrik Solli-Tangen, Norway Idol star Steffen Jakobsen, Denmark’s Harald Haugaard Trio and Finland’s Baltic Crossing.
“We are very excited to welcome Didrik Solli-Tangen to the stage,” said Pam Davy, executive director of Norsk Høstfest. “It’s always great to see tremendous talent at the festival, but it is even better when the star hails from our sister-city region of Telemark.”
“This year also marks a big anniversary for Bjøro Haaland,” said Davy. “For 30 years, Bjøro has performed at the festival and we intend to celebrate this milestone in true Nordic style.”
Performing on the free stages are:
Auntie Kreamsaugen
Baltic Crossing
Bjøro Haaland
Country Gentlemen
Crazy Fingers
Glenn & Millie
Glenn Henriksen
Harald Haugaard Trio
Ivares Pojkarna
Jenta O’Ja
JMB Band
Mollie B
Nordic Bees
Ricky Nelson Remembered with the Vees
Ringling 5
Queen Elsa & Olaf
Shelby Huston
Skålmusik
Skandi Ski Fantasy
Solli-Tangen
Steffen Jakobsen
Stoney Brook Strings
Stoney Brook Mandolins
Dance of the Norwegian Sweaters
Swedes in the Weeds
Vestafor
Western Senators
Williams & Ree
Willie, Waylon and Johnny Cash as … the Highwaymen
And many more!
Besides great entertainment, Norsk Høstfest will spotlight Scandinavian culture, artisan crafts, Nordic shopping, nightly dances, and of course, great authentic Scandinavian cuisine.
www.hostfest.com
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Norsk Høstfest is a nonprofit Scandinavian festival held annually in the fall in the
North Dakota State Fair Center on the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, N.D., USA. Entering its 38th year, the festival has become North America’s largest Scandinavian festival with tens of thousands of people attending from all over the world. The festival features world-class entertainment, Scandinavian culture on display, handcrafted Norsk merchandise, authentic Scandinavian cuisine plus a fine dining establishment, En To Tre, lead by Norwegian chefs. Norsk Høstfest celebrates Scandinavian culture from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
