Classes:
Presented in the downstairs classroom of the Mandt Sons of Norway Lodge unless otherwise noted.
Rosemal a Wooden Spoon
Thursday 12:30-1:30 or Friday 9:00-10:00
Instructor: Nancy O’Dalen
$5.00 registration fee, space limited.
History of Chocolate
Thursday 2:00-3:00 or Friday 2:00-3:00
Instructor: Brook Johnson of Yahara Tea and Chocolate
$10.00 registration fee, space limited.
*at Yahara Tea and Chocolate, a 2-minute walk from Mandt Lodge.
Traditional Norwegian Beer Brewing I
Learn about traditional Norwegian beer brewing (with regional highlights for each lag)
Thursday 3:30-4:30
Instructor: Amanda Thorstad
$5.00 registration fee, free samples
Traditional Norwegian Beer Brewing II
Learn how Norwegian immigrants brewed their beer when they got to America
Friday 10:30-11:30
Instructor: Amanda Thorstad
$5.00 registration fee, free samples
Wine and Cheese Pairings
Learn about wine and cheese pairings, featuring a wide variety of Scandinavian cheeses.
Friday 12:30-1:30
Instructor:
$10.00 registration fee, space limited
*At Cheesers, a 4-minute walk from Mandt Lodge, the classroom is upstairs with no elevator
Stevne Show and Tell
Sign up for a 10-minute speaking/sharing slot and tell us about a special item, discovery, project, or endeavor you are working on.
Thursday 3:30-4:30
Registration required, slots limited
Presentations:
Presented in the upstairs classroom of the Mandt Sons of Norway Lodge
Caroline Benforado
Caroline will discuss Bunad, including the very unique Stoughton, WI, local bunad.
Thursday 12:30-1:30
Gary Kvalheim
Renowned rosmaler Ethel Kvalheim's legacy
Thursday 2:00-3:00
Darlene Arneson
Stoughton Sons of Norway Mandt Lodge celebrates its 100-year anniversary this year.
Thursday 3:30-4:30
Derek Brabender
Derek will share insights about early bowl turning in Norway and demonstrate how it was done with his spring lathe.
Friday 9:00-10: 00
Anna Rue
The associate director of the Center for the Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will present on sustaining Scandinavian folk arts in the Upper Midwest.
Friday 10:30-11:30
Anne Haugen Wagn
Telelaget of America Norwegian Liaison will present via Zoom about her special connection to Stoughton through her aunt.
Friday 12:30-1:30
Stoughton Syttende Mai Royalty
A talk about the unique Stoughton Festival Royalty program, what it has meant to them, and what they believe it means to the community as a whole.
Friday 2:00-3:00
Fevolden Alpaca Farm
Ginny and Tom run Fevolden Alpaca Farm on the farm Ole Fevolden settled in Cottage Grove, WI, in 1869.
Friday 3:30-4:30
Classes and Presentations
Halvorson's Everything Nice
Stoughton's food scene knows how to cater to Norwegians! Our buffet banquet menu will be specially suited to our event. This venue, on the shore of Lake Kegonsa, just an 8-minute drive from Mandt Lodge, is truly special. Did we choose Halvorsons because she told us she makes her lefse with real potatoes, or did we choose it for the unique atmosphere of this historic supper club built in 1907?
Stevne Banquet
This video slideshow will loop in our hospitality room. Send us a photo of yourself or a family member (here or in Norway) in a bunad to be included! We would love to have every lag represented in the slideshow. Historical photos welcome!
Video Bunad Parade
Renowned tour guide Dana Kelly will lead us through the Koshkonong prairie, and we will learn about its historical and cultural significance.
Registration required; space is limited. $25.00.
Includes lunch provided by West Koshkonong Church.
(Bus size dependent on the number of participants)
Tour stops include: ○ West Koshkonong Church ○ East Koshkonong Church ○ Rockdale Beer Cellar ○ Cambridge Historic School Museum ○ St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church ○ And more!
Learn more about the Koshkonong Norwegian Settlement Here!
Koshkonong Prairie Bus Tour
Stoughton Opera House (Thursday and Friday)- A docent from the Opera House will be on hand to give small groups a guided tour of this unique space. Tours schedule TBD.
Stoughton Historical Society Museum (Thursday and Friday)- Volunteers will be on hand, and the museum will be open especially for the Stevne. Donations appreciated.
Stoughton Public Library (regular library hours)- Stop into Stoughton’s Carnegie Library, which features the original 1908 space as well as rosemaling, nisse, and bunad.
Art-o-mat (Tavern Hours) Check out this fun and unique converted cigarette vending machine that vends art at the Water Street Tavern.
Nordic Nook (gift shop hours) - This gift shop is just steps outside our Genealogy Room and is filled with 2 levels of Norwegian treasures, including a huge Christmas section.Viking Brew Pub (restaurant hours)-With a bar shaped like a Viking ship with a prow that breathes fire, this is an essential Stoughton stop.
Fosdal Home Bakery(regular bakery hours)-Stop in for Norwegian breads and pastries as well as fantastic donuts and other delights.
Cheesers (regular store hours)-over 300 selections of curated wines, craft beers, and gourmet cheeses to delight all your taste buds.
Gazebo Musikk (Thursday Night)- A free family-friendly outdoor music series on the hill at Rotary Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Livsreise (regular museum hours)-Explore this beautiful Norwegian Heritage Center that is right next door to our classroom space at Mandt Sons of Norway Lodge. Interactive and multimedia exhibits allow you to map a unique emigration story, explore digital volumes of first-hand accounts, and explore cultural heritage. A $2.00 donation is appreciated.
Stevne Around Stoughton
We will have a raffle for Norwegian-influenced items throughout the weekend. The drawing will be held on Saturday after lunch. If you want to donate any items to the raffle, please bring them with you!
Raffle
Are you looking for information on a specific area in Norway? On your registration, let us know what you are looking for, and our genealogists will make sure the information is at Stevne. Check our library holdings here.
Genealogy
The Log Church Players will join us on Thursday evening to present three entertaining plays.
• Many stories of the local Norwegian pioneers have been handed down and retold from generation to generation. "The Thank You Gift" is a touching story about pioneer Kari Glesne's interaction with a local group of Native Americans.
• Choosing land to homestead was an important decision; and, apparently, sometimes competitive. "The Great Race" is a story about how two cousins settled their dispute.
• "Ole Gets His Elk" is the entertaining story of an elk hunt in 1861 by three local pioneers.
Log Church Players
Schedule
Wednesday, July 15
10:30-3:45 pm
4:30-8:00 pm
Thursday, July 16
8:00-3:00 pm
9:00-11:00 am
11:30-12:30 pm
12:30-4:30 pm
Friday, July 17th
8:00-3:00 pm
9:00-11:00 am
11:30-12:30 pm
12:30-4:30 pm
6:30-8:30 pm
Saturday, July 18
9:00-1:00 pm
Bus Tour
Registration and Hospitality
Registration, Hospitality, and Genealogy
Opening Ceremony
Lunch Break
Classes, Presentations, Video Programming, and
Stevne Around Stoughton
Registration, Hospitality, and Genealogy
Classes, Presentations, Video Programming, and
Stevne Around Stoughton
Lunch Break
Classes, Presentations, Video Programming, and
Stevne Around Stoughton
Banquet
Individual Lag Meetings
Registration Deadline
June 15, 2026
Event Costs
Registration $56.00
Bus Tour With Lunch $25.00
Banquet $30.00
Class Registration fees range from $5-$10 Presentations: Included
Video Presentations: Included
Regional Bus Tour
Renowned tour guide Dana Kelly will lead us through the Koshkonong prairie, and we will learn about its historical significance.
Genealogy
Explore the printed resources of 8 lags (dozens of Norwegian municipalities) and take advantage of the guidance of over a dozen experienced genealogy researchers. Get help with online resources or translation, too! Cultural Sessions
Choose from 24 educational and demonstrative sessions on the 16th and 17th
Stevne Around Stoughton
Downtown Stoughton is a one-of-a-kind adventure full of Norwegian culture, art, and heritage, and the entire community is excited to welcome us. Explore businesses on this easily walkable Main Street and experience the Norwegian connections around every corner. Get your Stoughton Stevne Passport stamped for a chance to win prizes and discover other unique Norwegian Stevner touches all around town.
Your Host Lag
Maps
Tru by Hilton Stoughton
(1.8 miles from Mandt Lodge)
2500 Jackson St, Stoughton, WI 53589
There is a block of rooms reserved for the Stevne here for $159.00. This room rate includes a complimentary shuttle to and from downtown. But those who book early may be able to get a better price.
Reservations
Quality Inn Stoughton
(1.6 miles from Mandt Lodge)
660 Nygaard St, Stoughton, WI 53589
Sleep Inn Suites
(7.7 miles from Mandt Lodge)
1120 Park St, Oregon, WI 53575
Quality Inn Edgerton
(14.1 miles from Mandt Lodge)
11102 N Goede Rd, Edgerton, WI 53534
Comfort Inn and Suites Madison East
(13.4 miles from Mandt Lodge)
3510 Millpond Rd, Madison, WI 53718