For more than half a decade, Kathryn Vann of Aurora has looked forward to attending Swedish Days in Geneva.
“This is probably about the sixth time I’ve come to this and I like coming back to get outside and celebrate my husband’s Viking heritage,” she said while sitting inside a beer tent at the festival Wednesday afternoon. “We always like the entertainment and the beer tent and the stores are always open.”
Wednesday at noon, one of the largest and most-attended events in the state returned to downtown Geneva with the 74th annual Swedish Days festival, which runs through Sunday.
The event was again organized by the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, which noted on its website that the festival, which dates back to 1949, “originally began as an event to promote and build business for Geneva after World War II when the economy was booming.”
This year’s festival again features a craft beer tent, a carnival, nightly entertainment, a Kids’ Day, a parade on Sunday and more. In addition, merchants in town are offering in-store events and special sales to mark the occasion.
A variety of food stands offering a variety of dishes are also available throughout the downtown.
Johanna Patterson, the new communications director for the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, was working with volunteers during the opening hours of the fest on Wednesday under sweltering temperatures and noted that visitors were likely in for more of the same the next few days.
“We’re expecting about 200,000 people to come over the next five days and this is always kind of a city homecoming,” Patterson noted on Wednesday while taking a break in the shade. “There is something here for everybody of all ages including a thing we call Swedish Nights for two nights where the vendors and merchants in town get together and offer special deals and shopping.”
Patterson also noted some live entertainment is being added inside the beer tent this year “along with many of the favorites we’ve had in the past.”
“We have the Sweden Vast on Saturday and Sunday – a Swedish marketplace from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. – and of course the carnival and craft beer tent and music on the central stage,” she said. “We’ve got Kids’ Day on Friday and our grand parade on Sunday with 68 entries to wrap things up including the Jesse White Tumblers.”
Patterson hoped the steamy conditions this week “wouldn’t deter people” from attending the fest.
“We have lots of sheltered areas and we’re hoping people will be drinking a lot of water and taking breaks and not be out as long,” she said on Wednesday. “We know there are lot of people working midweek and we know this will build as the days follow.”
Those out in the 90-degree heat Wednesday at the fest were seen seeking shade to help mitigate the heat.
Bob Vann was enjoying a craft beer and said he tries to seek out different kinds of food when he comes to the fest.
“I didn’t realize this fest was as big as it is,” he said after being told about the expected crowds. “We enjoy the music and we always run into people we know.”
Kristine Tarbunas of Oak Lawn came to Swedish Days for the first time with her husband Richard and said they were celebrating their 12th anniversary.
“We are celebrating and staying local for two nights and we just happened to be here in Swedish Days,” she said on Wednesday. “When we booked our hotel it was just kind of random and we were looking for things to do and we found this. Maybe it will become a tradition. Geneva is a great town and it’s really cute.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
