Vasa Park’s Midsummer Festival, a traditional Scandinavian family celebration of the start of summer, will be held Sunday, June 19.

Admission is free for the event, but nonperishable food donations will be accepted for Northwest Harvest at the front gate.

The traditions at Vasa Park’s Midsummer Festival include a parade of costumed folk dancers and musicians, a folk dancing performance around a flower covered maypole, and Scandinavian crafts and food.

Lots of activities will be centered on children with free pony rides in the morning and bounce houses, face painting, free cotton candy and popcorn, interactive game bus throughout the day.  Traditional children’s races and games start at 3. The playground, swimming beach and waterslides are open all day long for your enjoyment with lifeguards on duty

Come early for a hearty Swedish pancake breakfast served at the outdoor kitchen, pancakes served from 9am until noon. During the afternoon, hot dogs, hamburgers, salmon and Swedish meatballs will be served, along with the very popular “Swedish Coffee Garden” to satisfy that sweet tooth.  The Beer Garden will be open from noon until 6, with domestic and microbrew beer being served.

Admission to Vasa Park on Midsummer  is FREE to the public but nonperishable food donations will be collected for Northwest Harvest.  So plan to bring the whole family and enjoy all of the traditions, foods and fun at Vasa Park on June 19, 2011

Watch for additional events to be added to the Midsummer Festival. Check our Midsummer  page at http://www.vasaparkresort.com.

Vasa Park is located on the west side of Lake Sammamish at 3560 W. Lk. Sammamish Parkway S.E. in Bellevue. For driving directions, go to http://www.vasaparkresort.com.

Susie Winkowski, manager of Vasa Park, is available for print interviews.  To contact Susie call 425 746 3260 or by email at sawink@comcast.net.