Midsummer in Sweden is something rather special, and we miss it. So we're bringing it to the Catskills.
Swedish Midsummer originated as a pagan festival to celebrate the start of summer and ensure a successful harvest. Today it's less about the farming and more about the festivities and we're here for it.
Here's a summary of the evening - with a full description at the bottom of the page,
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SWEDISH MIDSUMMER AT NORTH BRANCH CIDER MILL
SATURDAY JUNE 22ND 2024
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6PM - 7:30PM
Welcome Drink and Canapes on the River Front
Meet and greet with the Cider Mill Pygmy Goats
Flower Crown Making
Live music from The Swedish Meatballs
A little dance around the Midsummer Pole
Lawn Games with prizes
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7:30 - 9:30PM
Dinner in the Barn featuring a Smorgasbord of Swedish Specialties
Snapps and Snappsvisa (Snapps songs)
Traditional Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake Desert
Coffee & Biscotti
A parting gift from us
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Cash bar with wine, beer and a Midsummer Cocktail by our friends at Sunshine Colony
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DRESS CODE
Whites and florals
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MENU, ACTIVITIES AND FULL DETAILS OF THE EVENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EVENING
1. ITS GOING TO BE FUN
While we want to use midsummer to ensure a successful harvest as much as the next man, we also wan't to have a great time. We're gearing this gathering towards the fun end of the spectrum than the harvest end.
If you take your paganism seriously, this might not be the event for you.
2. FLOWER CROWNS
Hat's are out, flower crowns are in. We'll have a flower station set up for everyone to make their own flower crown to embody the harvest that we wish to encourage.
3. MIDSUMMER POLE
The midsummer pole will be a focal point. Some say it originated as a symbol of fertility, while others believe it represents a link between the underworld, earth, and the heavens.
We're going to hold hands and dance around it. It's going to be fun - and if it makes you feel fertile, or connects you to the heavens all the better,
4. LIVE MUSIC
We've secured a special act for the night - none other than The Swedish Meatballs themselves. With Ellen Lindstrom on accordion we're going to bring some real Swedish country flavour to the event.
If they look familiar it could be that you've seen them perform at such iconic festivals as Leif Ericson Day Celebration, Viking Fest, Norsk Hostfest, and of course Saturday Morning at Ikea.
5. SWEDISH PUNSCH AND CANAPES
To kick things off on the banks of the North Branch Callicoon Creek we'll be serving up a signature Swedish punsch cocktail.
The recipe is a closely guarded national secret - but it's delicious and a taste of the summer ahead.
It will be paired with some traditional Swedish canapes with smoked salmon, smoked shrimp and Caviar.
6. LAWN GAMES
To appease the harvest gods we will engage in some light competition. For prizes, we decided against the traditional sacrifice in favour of a more welcoming approach. A gift basket for the winner.
The one thing we can guarantee is there will be no correlation between athletic ability and your chance of winning.
7. FOUR LEGGEDS
As an agricultural event we felt the presence of some four leggeds would complete the picture. We'll be joined by four pygmy goats, two sheep and two lambs in our new goat shed.
They are friendly, but they are also greedy, if approached with a flower crown on your head there is a good chance they'll eat it.
8. DINNER IN THE BARN
Midsummer will be the first dinner we host in the Homestedt Barn at North Branch Cider Mill. The 150 year old agricultural barn will make the perfect setting for this harvest festival.
Expect Swedish flags, long tables, candlelight, and a showcase of some of our finest serviceware.
9. THE GREAT SMORGASBORD
We're teaming up with our friends at Early Bird Cookery in Callicoon to prepare an authentic Swedish Midsummer Smorgasbord. The menu will include:
Pickled Herring with Crispbread, chives and sour cream.
Smoked Salmon with mustard dill sauce.
Baked Whole Salmon
Swedish Meatballs with Sauce
Potatoes with Dill
Summer Salad
10. NUBBE (SCHNAPPS)
As important as the smorgasboard is the nubbe (a traditional Swedish aquavit) traditionally accompanied by a snapsvisor (drinking song).
Each seating will be accompanied by a small bottle of aquavit and a card with some lyrics to our favourite schapps songs.
12. DESSERT AND COFFEE
Some might argue we're saving the best for last. Midsummer in Sweden often results in a national shortage of strawberries due to their love of this classic dessert.
Strawberry cream cheesecake will be served alongside coffee and biscotti bites.
11. WINE AND BEER
For those that are looking to whet their whistle with something else we'll have our friends from Sunshine Colony running a cash bar in the barn.
As well as their selection of natural wines they'll be serving up local beers and possibly also a signature cocktail or two.
