STOUGHTON, Wis. — May 17 is an important day for Norwegian people because it marks the day that Norway signed its constitution in 1814.
The Norwegian Constitution is the second oldest constitution in the world. Along with being founded on the principles of human rights, sovereignty of the people and the separation of powers, it also established three different branches of government.
Stoughton, Wis., celebrates every year around May 17 with a three day long festival known as Syttende Mai. The festival, which was held this weekend, comprises canoe races, fiddle playing, Norwegian dancing, a parade and many other fun activities that represent Norwegian culture.
Arlene Watrud-Krueger is the Vice President of the Mt. Horeb Sons of Norway and the Stoughton Syttende Mai Festival is something she has been attending for a few years.
“It is exciting,” Watrud-Krueger said. “I have lived here in Wisconsin most of my life and not really come to Syttende Mai, so this has been fun and to just be proud of the heritage that I have.”
The Mt. Horeb Sons of Norway spent their Sunday preparing their float, which is lined with shields, a fire-breathing dragon and Norwegian flags.
They drove across downtown Stoughton, spreading the job of Norwegian culture with the community.
Watrud-Krueger is Norwegian, but she did not start celebrating her heritage until recently.
“In 2017, my brother and I went to Norway, and we went to our family farm and that just changed everything,” said Watrud-Krueger. “Finding our family farm and reconnecting with history, it really made everything come alive.”
Watrud-Krueger said celebrating Norwegian culture means much more than just decorating a float; there is jewelry and costumes that also help her and her lodge members represent their Norwegian backgrounds here in Wisconsin.
“This would be the costume that they would wear when they celebrate Syttende Mai and many people are married in their Bunads, some people are buried in them. They are worn for baptisms, they are worn for a lot of religious events.”
Watrud-Krueger wishes she would have celebrated her heritage earlier in her life and she encourages other Wisconsinites to celebrate their origins proudly.
“This has been fun, to be proud of the heritage that I have and just to wear the Bunad that represents the area that I was from,” said Watrud-Krueger.