Skäl Recipient 2026: Brian Solberg

Nordic Fest Skäl Recipient (previously flag recipient) is an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and continuing support of the Fest.

If you’ve spent much time around Nordic Fest over the last several decades, chances are you’ve crossed paths with Brian Solberg—likely with a Pepsi in hand.

A lifelong Decorah resident, many of Brian’s earliest memories are tied to Nordic Fest. As a child, he marched in the parade, explored the exhibits, enjoyed the festival food, and helped his mother demonstrate the art of making kransekake, or “wreath cake”. He also remembers Nordic Fest as a time when family gathered from near and far, creating traditions that continue today.

Brian’s official involvement with Nordic Fest began with the Elveløpet 5K & 15K Race and eventually grew into 17 years of service on the Nordic Fest Board. Today, he oversees Physical Management and assists with sporting events. He has also served as Board President, Vice President, Past President, and Elveløpet Race Director.

His commitment to service extends far beyond the festival. A Decorah High School and Luther College graduate, Brian returned to Decorah after graduate school and has spent 36 years serving students and athletes at Luther College as an athletic trainer, educator, and coach. He has also served in leadership roles with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, the American Heart Association, and other campus and community committees and organizations.

For Brian, volunteering has always been about giving back to a community that has given so much to him.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to something that has been a part of your life,” he says. “My work with the Nordic Fest Board is fulfilling. It’s an opportunity to engage with the community, to celebrate our heritage, and to help create something for others to enjoy.”

Over the years, Brian has watched Nordic Fest evolve through new technology, expanded marketing, and changing traditions while remaining true to its roots. His favorite festival foods, however, are still distinctly Norwegian—krumkake, lefse, and rømmegrøt.

“It just feels like the festival,” he says.

And for Brian, Nordic Fest still isn’t complete without his family’s longstanding traditions – including gathering together to watch the Saturday night fireworks.

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Grand Marshal 2026: Lorraine Borowski

Nordic Fest Grand Marshal is an individual or individuals who have provided outstanding services to the Community.

Since graduating from Luther College in 1970, Lorraine Borowski has called Decorah home. Over more than five decades, she has devoted her career and countless volunteer hours to helping the community grow and thrive.

Lorraine spent 27 years at the Decorah Public Library, including the last 14 as Library Director, where she helped lead the library through its expansion and fostered it as a welcoming gathering place for the community. Her passion for public service later led her to City Hall, where she served two terms as Mayor of Decorah from 2018 to 2026.

“It was a good fit for me,” Lorraine says. “I’d been attending City Council meetings for years as Library Director, and I really enjoyed being involved.”

As Mayor, Lorraine guided Decorah through an extraordinary period that included the COVID-19 pandemic, major community development projects, leadership transitions, and continued growth. Yet when she reflects on those years, it isn’t the headlines she remembers most.

“I loved the connections,” she says. “People were so kind. Whether it was someone stopping to visit on the street or a child excited to recognize ‘the mayor,’ those conversations made the job special.”

Her commitment to Decorah extends well beyond her professional roles. Lorraine has served as President of the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Board, President of Decorah Rotary, and has long championed partnerships among local government, schools, businesses, tourism, and community organizations.

“Those partnerships are what make Decorah successful,” she says. “This community has so much to offer, whether you’re raising a family or enjoying a new season of life.”

Now retired from public office, Lorraine is enjoying what she calls “a different season” of life, discovering new ways to spend her time while continuing to appreciate the people, places, and traditions Decorah has to offer.

Lorraine’s favorite places in Decorah are the community’s natural areas—especially anywhere there’s water, from the campground to Dunning’s Spring—and she rarely misses an opportunity to enjoy live music. During Nordic Fest, she looks forward to the festival’s celebratory spirit, reconnecting with friends and family, enjoying lefse and rømmegrøt, and soaking in the music found throughout town.

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Past Skäl Recipients (previously flag recipient)

• 1982: Pastor Paul & Lois Christenson Family
• 1983: Phyllis Leseth
• 1984: Bernard White, Hawkeye Stages
• 1985: Jack & Ellie Anundsen
• 1986: Dennis Larson *
• 1987: Grant Woldum *
• 1988: Betty Hacker
• 1989: Ernest E. “Pokey Pete” Peterson
• 1990: Maggie McConnell
• 1991: Marion & Lila Nelson
• 1992: Mike & Pat Dahly
• 1993: Grace Rikansrud
• 1994: Elliot Christen
• 1995: Norma & Willis Wangsness
• 1996: Gary D. Svenson
• 1997: Jack & Marge Thompson
• 1998: Rev. Paul Hasvold
• 1999: Chuck Casterton
• 2000: Clark Goltz
• 2001: Darrell Henning
• 2002: David & Betty Nelson
• 2003: Barbara Hunt
• 2004: Gordon McMasters
• 2005: Paul & Bev Nichols
• 2006: Karla Erdman
• 2007: Lorraine “Sis” Saquitne
• 2008: Janet Thompson
• 2009: Renda Saquitne
• 2010: Dag & Sharon Rossman
• 2011: Helen Hendrickson
• 2012: Tim & Mary Kay Lynch
• 2013: Bev Christen
• 2014: Marcia Fox
• 2015: Foot-Notes on their 25th anniversary
• 2016: All past and present Nordic Fest board members with special recognition to the founding memebers.
• 2017: Sally Stromseth
• 2018: Midge Kjome
• 20 19 Jim & Ann Kephart
• 2020: NO FEST
• 2021: Steve Johnson
• 2022: Martha Griesheimer
• 2023: Sue Sander
• 2024: Jeni Holtan Grouws
• 2025: Dave Smutzler

Past Grand Marshals

• 1975: Governor Robert Ray
• 1976: Hub Meeds, Minnesota Vikings mascot
• 1977: Clair Kjome, Commodore of Minneapolis Acquatennial
• 1978: Chr. Sommerfelt, Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S., and Counsel General Haakon H. Storlaug “led the parade”
• 1979: Past Nordic Fest board chairpersons/presidents
• 1980: Governor Robert & Billie Ray, as well as Mayor David T. and Betty Nelson “led the parade”
• 1981: Dr. Elwin and Helen Farwell, Luther College President who retired in
• 1982
• 1982: Members of the
• 1982 Nordic Fest board
• 1983: David & Betty Nelson
• 1984: Governor Terry Branstad “led the parade”
• 1985: Laura Hoeg “Nisse lady”
• 1986: Jan Stenerud
• 1987: Grant Woldum
• 1988: Pastor Paul and Lois Christensen
• 1989: Myron Floren
• 1990: Earnet E. “Pokey Pete” Petersen
• 1991: Marion & Lila Nelson
• 1992: Ole & Lena
• 1993: Grace Rikansrud
• 1994: Nordic Dancer directors: Darv & Betty Hacker, Jon & Mary Hart, Elea Uhl, Jeanette Pilde, Paul & Lois Chstenson
• 1995: Trollheim Tur til Fots (Troll Walk) Guides
• 1996: Edith Grimstad & Larry Grimstad
• 1997: Gordon & Agnes Christianson
• 1998: Mabel White & Jack Anundsen
• 1999: Bob Usgaard
• 2000: Nordic Fest board presidents
• 2001: Lauren Singers
• 2002: Karl & Nikoline Svendsen family descendants, 100th anniversart of their immigration
• 2003: Jerry Rosholt
• 2004: Esther Miller
• 2005: Elliot & Bev Christen
• 2006: Nordic Fest founders
• 2007: Dave & Brenda Carlson
• 2008: Winneshiek County Firemen’s Association
• 2009: Mildred Jacobsen
• 2010: Kephart Family, Kephart’s Music Center, 50th year in business
• 2011: Elwin D. Farwell, H. George Anderson and Richard L. Torgerson, Luther Presidents on the Colege’s Sesquicentennial
• 2012: Bob Anderson, Raptor Resource Project
• 2013: Trails of Winneshiek & Trout Run Trail Volunteers
• 2014: Carl Homstad
• 2015: Elizabeth Lorentzen
• 2016: The entire Decorah Community for their continuous contribution and support of Nordic Fest for 50 years
• 2017: Charlie Langton
• 2018: Julie Shockey Trytten
• 2019: Ed and Joyce Epperly
• 2020: NO FEST
• 2021: Hometown Taxi
• 2022: Winneshiek County Healthcare Professionals
• 2023: Dave and Gail Judish
• 2024: Paul Scott
• 2025: Diane Ott Whealy