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American Scandinavian Association at Augustana

Annual Midsummer celebration
Annual Midsummer celebration. Photo courtesy of Vicki Peterson, 2016.

The American Scandinavian Association was founded in 1934 by a group of Scandinavians living in the Quad City area. We are an associate chapter of the American Scandinavian Foundation, headquartered in New York, and an affiliate of the Swedish Council of America, based in Minnesota.

The ASA aims are:

  • To stimulate and promote interest in relations and culture between the U.S. and all five of the Nordic countries
  • To preserve the Nordic heritage in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa
  • To advance Nordic culture in the U.S. and U.S. culture in the Nordic countries

Some local annual celebrations include:

  • Yellow Pea Soup (Ärtsoppa) and Swedish Pancake Supper in January or February
  • Våffeldag celebration in March
  • Midsommar Fest in June
  • Concert by Swedish Jenny Lind vocal scholarship winner
  • Kräftskiva (Crayfish Party) in August
  • Lutfisk Dinner in Autumn, usually November
  • Luciafest together with Augustana's Scandinavian Studies Program
  • Occasional bus trips to Chicago's Andersonville and IKEA stores
  • Watch Augustana's Scandinavian Studies program for their schedule.

The ASA welcomes new members. Annual membership fees are $10 per individual, $20 per family/household. Membership privileges include opportunities for participation in ASA activities and informational flyers.

Email us to request a brochure! Or mail membership payment (checks payable to "ASA") to: ASA Membership, Swenson Center, Augustana College, 639 38th St, Rock Island IL 61201-2296. 

Click here and ask to join our Facebook page!

Swenson Center Julbord Dinner

Community members can gather for traditional Swedish-American holiday foods and companionship.

​Come and eat salads, relishes, fruit, herring, bread, cheese, potatoes, salmon, potato sausage, meatballs, rice pudding, and other Christmas goodies.

Festival of Sankta Lucia (Luciafest)

Augustana's annual celebration of the Festival of Sankta Lucia will commemorate the holiday with traditional Scandinavian Christmas carols, lessons and poetry.