About us

Since 1953, people have traveled to Stromsburg on the third full weekend in June to celebrate their Swedish heritage and experience Swedish traditions for the day.

Throughout the festivities, visitors can enjoy authentic Swedish food, traditional costumes, and Swedish dancing. Free entertainment takes place in the downtown square, at the Stromsburg Public Library, and throughout the town. The Skjaldborg Vikings both educate and entertain as they reenact Viking life.

The Friday night chicken BBQ is a beloved Stromsburg tradition. On Saturday, visitors can take part in basketball and horseshoe tournaments, along with many other annual events, while Sunday features the popular car show. Kids can look forward to hours of entertainment, while adults browse crafts in the town square and local shops. Be sure not to miss the grand parade on Saturday evening.

Stromsburg traces its roots back to Ockelbo, Sweden. In 1856, 155 people from Ockelbo sailed to America in search of a new life, with many settling in the Galva, Illinois area. Lewis Headstrom later led a group of these Swedish immigrants to Polk County, Nebraska, where they founded Stromsburg in 1872. The town was named after a section of Ockelbo called Stromsborg. Over time, Stromsburg continued to grow as friends and family joined from across the United States and Sweden.

In 1966, during the Swedish Festival, Governor Frank Morrison officially named Stromsburg the “Swede Capital of Nebraska.” The city’s Swedish heritage remains strong. According to the 2000 census, 30% of Stromsburg residents claimed Swedish ancestry—the highest percentage of any U.S. city with a population over 1,000.