Danish treats, traditional dance, handcrafted art and cultural pride, were among the highlights as Junction City’s Scandinavian Festival kicked off Thursday, Aug. 14.

Catelyn Cole, 16, who volunteers at the information booth, leans out of the window to joke with her friend passing by at the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Liam Smith, 11, smiles to his family after putting his head through a cutout at the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Kelly Moe, Trina Burch and Kayla Courtney make Norwegian pancakes at the festival. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
John Meshnik flips aebleskivers at the Faith Lutheran stand at the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival. Aebleskivers are a Danish treat made from dough that is similar to waffle dough. “You know I might say this,” Meshnik joked. “Although they are attributed to the Danes, most people out here are waiting for them to Finnish.” Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
The 64th annual Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Dave Hosie eats a knockwurst from The Wurst Food Cart at the festival. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Rhett Bancleave, 5, gets his face painted by Sonia Martindale at the Colorific Faces stand at the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival. “Do you know how to shave?” Martindale asked as she painted a beard. “No,” Rhett said. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
A festival goer walks through the celebration as seen through a windmill cutout. “The Danish back in the day used to use windmills to move irrigation water,” Grant Huber said. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Kansantansijat dance group performs at the festival Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
J.C. Adult Recreational Folk Dancers perform on opening day. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Ava Robinson, Addi Vanness and Claire Rosworth eat cotton candy at the festival. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Travis Hart, Nicole Hart and Patrick Scheide look at necklaces at the Jenni B Jeweled stand. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Handmade solid copper dice at the Forged Pointe Creations stand. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
The 64th annual Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
Jason Briggs and Tanner Briggs, 10, hold alphorns outside of an ice cream stand. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
A dancer parades through the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival in Junction City. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA
The closing processional winds past a windmill booth at the 64th annual Scandinavian Festival in Junction City, on opening day, Aug. 14, 2025. Credit: Isaac Wasserman / Lookout Eugene-Springfield / Catchlight / RFA