Kingsburg's Dala Horse

This is Stefan Sorenson, a professional Dala horse painter from Dalarna, Sweden. In 1993 he visited Kingsburg and painted about 130 6 Dala horses in the Cultural Village at the Swedish Festival in Kingsburg in front of Svensk Butik. In 1994 he came back to Kingsburg during the Swedish Festival and painted more 6 Dala horses and also painted the 5-foot Dala horse. Kingsburg’s Dala Horse has been repainted several times throughout the years. We always enjoy seeing locals an...d tourists alike try to (and most times succeed) hop up on the horse for photo ops. Right now the horse is being repainted by Chad Carter and will be back in place shortly.

The making of the five foot Dala Horse was featured in the Kingsburg Recorder in 1988. Pictured are Wayne Olson and his son Olof Olson. From The Kingsburg Recorder Wednesday, April 13, 1988: Four-year-old Olof Olson puts the first of five coats of paint on the five-foot Dala horse his father, Wayne, is making for the City of Kingsburg. The horse, which is costing the city several hundred dollars for construction, will be completed by the kickoff of the New Sweden ‘88 activities. Olof gives his father a hand in moving the 400-pound wooden horse. When completed, the horse will be used as a city monument for tourist picture-taking.

Always the third weekend in May, all are welcome to experience and taste the rich culture of Sweden in Kingsburg. This event is filled with entertainment, food ...and fun. It all begins on Thursday night with Pea Soup and Pancake dinner and the crowning of the Festival Queen. Followed by Friday night with a Swedish Smörgåsbord. Start your Saturday morning with a traditional Svenska Pancake Breakfast. Stay for the Grand Parade later in the morning. The Swedish Village is filled with specialty shops, there you can also see more of the Swedish Culture in the Swedish Cultural Village on Draper Street and discover many food, craft booths and entertainment. ===== ===== Thursday, May 16th 5pm-8pm SWEDISH PEA SOUP & PANCAKE DINNER 5:30pm to 7pm Draper Street-Downtown Pea Soup & Pancakes $10 Pea Soup Only $5 Pancakes Only $6 CROWNING OF THE SWEDISH QUEEN 6:30pm on Draper Street - Downtown SWEDISH ENTERTAINMENT 5pm to 8pm on Draper Street Downtown (List available at Chamber Office) DOWNTOWN BOUTIQUES & RESTAURANTS OPEN 5pm to 8pm on Draper Street - Downtown (List available at Chamber Office) ===== ===== Friday, May 17th 4pm-9pm PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER DRESS REVIEW & AWARD CEREMONY 4pm Downtown Park - Pavilion SWEDISH SMÖRGÅSBORD 5:30pm to 7:30pm Downtown Park - Pavilion Adult Dinner $15 Childs Plate $5 SWEDISH ENTERTAINMENT 5:30pm to 9:00pm Downtown Park (List available at Chamber Office) FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW 8am to 8pm Village Mall DOWNTOWN BOUTIQUES & RESTAURANTS OPEN 5pm to 8pm on Draper Street Downtown (List available at Chamber Office) ===== ===== Saturday, May 18th 7am-8:30pm SWEDISH PANCAKE BREAKFAST 7am to 10am Downtown Park - Pavilion Breakfast: $7 - Pancakes, Peaches, Sausage & Drinks SWEDISH ENTERTAINMENT 8am to 9am Downtown Park (List available at Chamber Office) DALA HORSE TROT 7am to 9am Downtown - Fire Station 10K and 2-Mile Runs DECORATING OF THE MAYPOLE 7:30am to 9am Downtown Park Festival Arts & Craft Fair 8am- 4pm- Draper Street, Downtown Flower & Garden Show 8am- 4pm- Draper Street, Downtown SWEDISH CULTURAL VILLAGE 8am to 5pm Draper Street - Downtown Dala Horse Trot Awards 9am - City Hall Parade Stage Battle of the Badge Blood Drive 10am-2pm- Marion St- Downtown WELCOME CEREMONY & Hambo Dance Demonstration 10am Downtown - City Hall SWEDISH FESTIVAL GRAND PARADE 10:30am to 12:00pm Draper Street RAISING OF THE MAYPOLE & DANCING 12pm Draper Street - Downtown After the Grand Parade SWEDISH ENTERTAINERS 12pm to 4pm Cultural Village - Downtown (List available at Chamber Office) Sacred Concert 1pm- Kingsburg Community Church PRESENTATION OF Parade AWARDS 2pm- Kingsburg Train Depot GAMMALDANS-DANCING Come Learn Swedish Dancing 7:30pm to 10pm Downtown Park - Stage See more