76th Annual Danish Days ~ September 14-16, 2012
Danish Days Events Schedule- Friday, Saturday, Sunday
| Danish Days PARADE Application | Sample Print Schedule |
With preparations for this years’ Danish Days Festival, September 14th –16th well under way, the Solvang Danish Days Foundation extends a hearty invitation to everyone.
For more information:
Saturday Parade contact Martha Nedegaard 805-688-7169
Sunday’s Children’s Parade contact Donna Beehler at 686-4553
One area we are especially excited about is in the Solvang Park where all booths are offered to non-profit organizations in order to support their fund raising efforts. We still have booths available so we urge schools, churches, 4-H, community and other non-profit groups to sign upfor a food or game booth, with all funds earned going back to the participants. It is a great way to earn money for your organization. For information regarding a booth, in the Kid’s Korner area please contact Petti Pfau at 688-9973. Ideas are available – we hope you take advantage of this wonderful opportunity – sign up now.
“Trip to Denmark” tickets will be on sale throughout the village, as well as at the Solvang Farmer’s Market – a perfect opportunity to meet this year’s Danish Maid – Kylie Petersen. Ticket sales continue to be one of the major sources of revenue for this event.
Authentic restaurants and bakeries feature tasty Danish cuisine, including æbleskiver (Danish pastry ball) and medisterpølse (Danish sausage). A Danish-style Beer Garden serving Carlsberg and local brews plus selected Danish open-facedsandwiches will be offered. Over a dozen wine tasting rooms offer award-winning vintages from the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley. More than150 retail shops purvey items such as Royal Copenhagen china as well asgoods from around the world. Come be a Dane for the weekend!
Danish Days PARADE Application
76th Annual Danish Days Celebration, Sept. 14-16, 2012
~Experience Authentic Foods, Music, Folk Dancing & Three Parades plus Living History Exhibits
Danish Days Events TENTATIVE Schedules-
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Please check back here often as details are updated. (top)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2012 Tentative schedule - events subject to change
4:00 pm
Free Concert featuring Sonny Semler in Solvang Park Gazebo, Mission Drive at First Street, downtown.
7:30 pm
Torchlight Parade beginning on Alisal Road at Laurel Street and ending at Solvang Park followed by
8:00pm
Opening Ceremonies introducing 2011 Danish Maid Kylie Lund Petersen, 17 years old, a senior at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. Born and raised in Solvang, her parents are Aaron and Elsemarie Petersen. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.
8:00pm
PCPA Theaterfest presents TBD; 420 Second Street; call 1-888-795-7922. (top)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
Tentative schedule - events subject to change
8:30am-12:30pm
æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $7 (with Danish sausage, $8).
10:00 -11:30am
Aalborg Police Band of Denmark Free Concert in Solvang Park; specializing in traditional big band and swing music, has been collectively active since 1920; now on tour in the USA.
10:00am - 4:00pm
Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park
10:00am - 4:00pm
Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org
11:30am
Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street)
2:30pm
Danish Days Parade includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, the Solvang Village Dancers, Solvang Village Singers & more. Begins at Old Mission Santa Ines, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen Drive to Alisal Road.
6:00-11:00pm
Danish Days Dinner Dance sponsored by the Rebild National Park Society at Solvang Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive. Tickets $48 per person, reservations required, call Erik Pedersen at 805-688-1535.
7:00-11:00pm
New this year--Solvang 2nd Century Street Party around Centennial Plaza (482 Alisal Road) with free live rock & roll performances including: The Gary Foshee Band featuring Nathan Towne & Tompeet Fredericksen; Dubley Rouge; Les Mercy and Primal Tribe. Info: Hans Duus, 805-570-0019.
8:00pm
PCPA Theaterfest presents TBD; 420 Second S; Tickets: 805-922-8313 or www.pcpa.org (top)
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2012
Tentative schedule - events subject to change
8:30am-12:30pm
Aebleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive & First Street for $7 (with Danish sausage, $8).
10:00 - 11:30am
Aalborg Police Band of Denmark Free Concert in Solvang Park; specializing in traditional big band and swing music, has been collectively active since 1920; now on tour in the USA.
10:00am - 4:00pm
Kid's Korner and the Play & Rest Center in Solvang Park
10:00am - 4:00pm
Living History Festival at Elverhoj Museum of History & Art. Demonstrations and interactive activities for all ages. Free. 1624 Elverhoy Way, 805-686-1211 or www.elverhoj.org
11:30am
Free Aebleskiver Eating Contest (corner of Copenhagen Drive & First Street)
2:00pm
Children’s Parade starting at Atterdag Square down Copenhagen Drive to Solvang Park.
2:30pm
Danish Days Closing Ceremonies in Solvang Park.
8:00pm
PCPA Theaterfest presents TBD www.pcpa.org (top)
Originally, the Danish Days celebration was a simple, small town affair, with few, if any visitors. It was simply a home-inspired fete designed to remind Solvang residents of their ties with the "Old Country". Solvang celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1936, and growing out of those festivities came what is now known as Danish Days. (top)




