A Swedish Christmas

Christine Carrillo

With Swedish songs playing in the background, Swedish conversation

in the foreground and a lingering scent of Swedish meatballs all

around, the 18th annual Swedish Christmas Fair gave many an event

reminiscent of home, while giving others an chance to experience a

version of the Scandinavian country.

The Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center was transformed into

an authentic Swedish Christmas celebration Sunday that offered its

guests Swedish dishes, dancing and crafts in an effort to bring a

little bit of the Scandinavian culture to Orange County. The event

was sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the Swedish Women’s

Educational Assn.

“It’s charming and very authentic,” said Nick Rooth, whose niece

and nephew both performed in the event. “It’s fun for the kids ...

it’s as though you were there at a Christmas fair. It gives

[everyone] a snapshot of what it’s like.”

Rooth, a native born Swede, enjoyed how the event shared the

Swedish culture with those people unfamiliar with it and also

appreciated how its authenticity bore some reminiscent qualities.

He was not alone.

“It’s kind of fun because it brings me back to my childhood,” said

Pearl Hammerstad Blaska, who is of both Norwegian and Swedish decent.

“It’s amazing how many Scandinavians are out here.”

The event, which attracts more than a thousand people every year,

welcomed everyone to partake in Swedish food and drink, purchase

hand-made crafts and watch traditional Swedish performances.

“Most of the people have some kind of Swedish connection,” said

Lotta Cervantes, a member of the Orange County organization who

attended the event with her children. “It’s a tradition and it’s very

important for them to know they have this tradition.”

While giving Swedes a chance to celebrate the upcoming holiday in

a traditional way, the event, which was established to raise money to

help fund some of the organization’s local scholarships, has seen an

influx in the people of varying ethnicities that attend each year.

“We live in such a multi-cultural environment that it’s nice to

see all the different people,” said Laila Soares, a native born Swede

and president of the Orange County chapter. “I guess they enjoy the

traditional food, the crafts and the ambience, hopefully. [The event

is] a lot of hard work but it’s really fun when this day comes ...

it’s almost like the event gives us a kind of a high.”

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO is the news assistant. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4298 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.