Irminsul Ættir - Varthing/Summerfinding

April 2018 Walpurgisnight
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28

Varthing: A Celebration of the First Day of Summer 2018, April 12-15, 2018

• REGISTRATION
• SCHEDULE
• MENU
• DIRECTIONS AND SITE INFORMATION
• WHAT TO BRING
• EVENT RULES

Throughout Scandinavia, Sommardag, the first day of Summer, is celebrated on April 14 as the beginning of the bright half of the year, a tradition recorded in the stories of the Old Norse. A budding tree marks the day on the ancient runic calendar. These runic calendars represented the year as being divided into Winter and Summer activities and festivals. As part of our celebration, we will turn our rune calendar over and celebrate the coming of summer.

Activities will include a Várblót and Sigurblót as well as egg-citing traditional games such as egg-tapping, egg decorating and hunting for eggs that may contain a surprise or two for both children and adults! Learn about the ancient traditions, customs and folklore in Northern Europe featuring eggs, birds and hares as part of the celebration of spring and longer days of summer. Make your own rune calendar and learn more about this ancient time keeping system. Hopefully, although Easter will be passed, perhaps a few Easter Witches will find their way to the Lewis and Clark State Park Recreation Center to share in the treats and feasting and tell us more about themselves and this very old Nordic tradition.

The Lewis and Clark State Park Recreation Center is located in a portion of one of Washington’s old growth forests and is a wonderful place to celebrate the changing seasons. Space for tents and recreational vehicles is available along with indoor bunks, meals, and most of the activities•, which are included in the registration fee.

Registration is $30 per adult, (child under 16 are free) includes bunkhouse overnight accommodations and meals. Thursday night is potluck if you would like to share a favorite dish. Please label all dishes with a full ingredient list we do have people that attend that have allergies and other medical conditions. We will have a Potluck on Thursday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, breakfast on Sunday morning).

Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning on attending or post to the Irminsul Ættir Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/202079237048065/ if you have any immediate questions or concerns.

REGISTRATION

You can register at the event but please let us know that you are coming in advance if at all possible. Registration will open at 5:00 PM on Thursday, April 12.

Registration is $30 per adult, (child under 16 are free) includes bunkhouse overnight accommodations and meals. Thursday night is potluck if you would like to share a favorite dish. Please label all dishes with a full ingredient list we do have people that attend that have allergies and other medical conditions. We will have a Potluck on Thursday night, breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, breakfast on Sunday morning). Please let us know ahead of time if you are planning on attending or post to the Facebook page if you have any questions or concerns. Information and a map of the park are available at http://www.parks.wa.gov/publications/parks/Lewis%20and%20Clark%20State%20Park.pdf.

SCHEDULE

Varthing: Celebrating the First Day of Summer

Thursday, April 12:
5:00 PM Registration opens
6:00 PM Opening ceremony
6:30-9:00 PM Potluck for Dinner, smorgasbord style. If you bring a dish, please accompany it with a list of ingredients.
7:00 PM Presentation on the Nordic Easter Witch traditions and their connection to springtime observances such as Easter and Mayday, as well as other symbols of the coming of the bright half of the year. Keep your eyes open for hidden eggs and other surprises!

Friday, April 13
7:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Which came first, the Hare or the Egg? Learn about the surprising, ancient history of these symbols of spring and fertility.
11:30 AM Lunch
1:00 PM Making your own Rune Calendar
6:00 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Várblót
9:00 PM Utiseti.

Saturday, April 14, Sommardag!
7:30 AM Breakfast
9: 00 AM Discussion on the importance of folk customs and folk crafts in preserving the traditions of the past and developing new and meaningful customs for the future. Includes making decorations for the Summer-tree.
1:00 PM Lunch
2:00 PM More Traditional Crafts and Games
6:00 PM Dinner and Prizes awarded to winners of the games
8:00 Sigurblót

Sunday, April 15
8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Closing Ceremony
11:00 AM Clean-up: Everything must be clean and vacated by 11:00 AM check out time.

MENU

We make it a point to avoid as many major food allergens in our menu and preparations. We provide vegetarian options and gluten-free items at meals.
Please label your potluck contribution with a list of the ingredients and whether it contains allergens such as peanuts or other nuts, gluten, eggs or dairy products.
Please be sure to mark all containers with your name and collect them directly after the potluck.

To be announced

Friday
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Saturday
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Sunday
Breakfast

DIRECTIONS AND SITE INFORMATION

There is an information sheet on the park and a map to the ELC at the south end of the park at http://www.parks.wa.gov/publications/parks/Lewis%20and%20Clark%20State%20Park.pdf

WHAT TO BRING

RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
• Bedding. The beds on site do not come with bedding, just mattresses.
• Comfortable folding or camp chairs • Towels.
• Clothing (Best to dress in layers, waterproof poncho in case of rain).
• Flashlight.
• Bug repellent.
• Sunscreen.
• Medications (refrigeration will be available if needed).
• Personal items.
• There will be some great workshops and classes, don't forget writing materials and your camera.
• Instruments, music or other items for activities and evening entertainment.

EVENT RULES

• Maintain frið, or peaceful, appropriate behavior
• No firearms, fireworks or weapons
• No illegal substances of any kind.
• Observe all federal, state and local laws, statutes and regulations. If in doubt, ask.
• No pets in any buildings due to health issues.
• Wildlife, plants and all park buildings, signs and tables and other structures are protected;
removal or damage of any kind is prohibited.
• Feeding of wildlife is prohibited.
• No fires or open flame except in authorized containers.
• Do not gather driftwood from the beaches


Please note: The event will be held under a strict declaration of Frið (Peace). ~~Illegal activity or substances of any kind will not be tolerated.