11th Annual Bemidji Lefse Festival

The 2016 Annual Lefse Festival sponsored by Bemidji Sunrise Rotary will be held on Thursday, November 3rd from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sanford Center located at 1111 Event Center Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601. Participants vying for the 2016 Lefse Cook-Off Championship title include: Jay Seitz (2015 Champion), Donna Gunderson, Shawna Weidermann, Greg Olson, Carla Mandrell, Angie & Justin Fournier, LaVaye Dressen, Joe & Kelsey Christoffersen, Kathy Winger, Kari Wittenberg, and Rebecca Hoffman. The Sons of Norway will be judging the contest for this award. However, all participants will be able to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

A lefse making workshop will take place at 6 p.m.

Crafters will be selling homemade holiday ornaments, fleece hats, and dolls. Sew Many Mitts, Darrell’s Fudge, and Mega Mitts will be there. Concordia Language Villages will be selling items from their Norwegian Language Village Camp store. The Watermark Art Center will be selling unique items from their gift shop.

There will be door prizes, such as gift cards, a lawn chair, and cooler. Everyone who pays an entry fee will automatically get entered, but must be present to win.

We would like to provide a special thanks to Beltrami Historical Society, Bank Forward, Bemidji Area Boys and Girls Club, Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park, Ace on the Lake, Paul Bunyan Communications, Tea & Gift Shop, Ottertail Power Company, Northern Dental Access Center, Bemidji Woolen Mills, Keg and Cork, Security Bank, United Methodist Church, and Bitz of Wood.

Proceeds will benefit the Beltrami County Historical Society and area youth programming.

Tickets will be available at the door. The ticket includes lefse sampling, beverages, a chance to vote for People’s Choice Award, and an entry for a door prize. The cost is as follows: $5 for adults, $15 for families, and children 5 and under will be free.

For more information contact, Keith Gora at sunriselefse@gmail.com or 218-444-3303 or visit the Bemidji Sunrise Rotary website at http://bemidjisunriserotary.org/.