The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, an all-volunteer run community event, marks its 50th anniversary this year with an Oregon Heritage Tradition designation by the Oregon Heritage Commission.

Other Oregon Heritage Traditions include the Oregon State Fair, the Pendleton Round-Up, the Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana and the Portland Greek Festival.

“The designation recognizes those traditions that have helped define the state,” Eric Martin, the commission’s chairman, said in a release. “This event truly celebrates what is local heritage in Oregon.”

The Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival began in 1968 as a celebration of the summer solstice and all things Scandinavian on Oregon’s North Coast.

Operated by the Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association, the three-day festival is held annually during the third weekend in June at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds east of Astoria.

Loran Mathews, Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association President, and Leila Collier, 2017 Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Chairwoman, remarked in a joint statement: “We thank the Oregon Historical Commission for this prestigious honor and invite all Oregonians and visitors to share our traditions and heritage by attending our festival.”