It was truly a magical affair. With a snow covered bunad and snowflakes on eyelashes I joined my pageant little sister Molly Lemmon and chaperones Tina Lemmon and Amanda Cheetham in the Klevstad Pavillion at 4pm in below freezing temperatures. The ground covered in a sheet of white, above the water hovered a blanket of mist, and people were bundled from toe tip to nose tip hoping to keep out some of the cold. You can count on the fact that I had a few extra layers hidden under my bunad and I also donned my Norwegian sweater.
The band and choirs were unable to make it due to the inclement weather, the viking ship sprung a leak, the bonfire had to be covered in a blue tarp until the official "lighting" and the town Christmas tree was only 2/3 lit. But despite so many setbacks and slush covered streets there was a pile of people there to watch, Sons of Norway Carolers, darling children dressed in everything from Norwegian bunads to snow coats and mittens, and of course the beautiful Lucia Bride was there as well. Our host opened the evening and we immediately began the festivities. I shared briefly about the Miss Poulsbo program and Molly got to introduce herself including the fun fact that after 53 years of Miss Poulsbo's and over 10 years of having little sisters, Molly is the first Miss Poulsbo's little sister to come along side "her Miss" and wear a bunad too.
Then we danced around the traditionally decorated Chrsitmas Tree. I had to watch the children and Carolers around me to catch on, but boy was it a blast. My "magic hand" was even instrumental in lighting the town tree.
The band and choirs were unable to make it due to the inclement weather, the viking ship sprung a leak, the bonfire had to be covered in a blue tarp until the official "lighting" and the town Christmas tree was only 2/3 lit. But despite so many setbacks and slush covered streets there was a pile of people there to watch, Sons of Norway Carolers, darling children dressed in everything from Norwegian bunads to snow coats and mittens, and of course the beautiful Lucia Bride was there as well. Our host opened the evening and we immediately began the festivities. I shared briefly about the Miss Poulsbo program and Molly got to introduce herself including the fun fact that after 53 years of Miss Poulsbo's and over 10 years of having little sisters, Molly is the first Miss Poulsbo's little sister to come along side "her Miss" and wear a bunad too.
Then we danced around the traditionally decorated Chrsitmas Tree. I had to watch the children and Carolers around me to catch on, but boy was it a blast. My "magic hand" was even instrumental in lighting the town tree.
I was delighted to carry a 2 year old girl, bundled in a snow suit, during some of the dancing and then later I got to join hands with one of my own 1st graders, pictured below. :)
It was a beautiful, but cold, night and I was honored to be asked to become apart of the tradition. I can't wait until next year, I'll be front and center to see Miss Poulsbo 2008 light the tree in the very same bunad I wore this year. What a wonderful town we live in that is so rich with tradition.
Uffda, time for bed. I have a classroom full of first graders, who are full of energy and waiting for their teacher to join in, and that is just a few short hours away. Thanks for reading.
Blessings, Alex Duchemin
"a home town gal"
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