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Mora, MN adds another Nordic “Loppet”to its cache of festivals
By Valorie Arrowsmith East Central Minnesota—Mora, Minnesota might get to be the place for Nordic style races, or “loppets,” the Swedish word for “the race” or “the run.” Vasaloppet is an annual tradition in February each year. Now a new festival will start in June 17, 2006, called Sjöloppet, or the Lake Race. Viking boat races are the main feature of the day. Festival director Eric Carlisle says, “It will bring together the community's Scandinavian heritage, live music and a variety of performers, and ethnic food into a day long event. The Viking boat races on Lake Mora will challenge individuals, teams and surrounding communities to race in canoes decorated to look like Viking boats.” Carlisle hopes that Minnesota towns with sister cities in Sweden will compete against each other in the races. The planners hope that representatives from Sweden will one day join the races as well. Towns with Swedish sister cities in East Central Minnesota are: Cambridge, Braham, Mora, Isle, Shafer, Lindstrom, Chisago City and Taylors Falls. The event is located in Mora City Park on Maple Street. The day begins at 10 a.m. and concludes with fireworks that night. Mora is located 1.5 hours north of the Twin Cities, on Highway 65. For more information call Eric Carlisle at 320-679-5416 or contact him via e-mail at info@carlislestudios.com The festival invites inquiries from Nordic performers, food and craft vendors For release February to May, 2006 |