Solvang Danish Days

Velkommen! (Welcome in Danish)

Meet Mia Nelson, 2012 Danish Days Maid

The 16-year-old, who has lived in Solvang her entire life, is the daughter of Conny Nelson and the late Steve Nelson. She has four older siblings — three brothers and one sister.

Mia said she has dreamed of being the Danish Maid since she was a little girl and considers it an honor and a privilege to represent Solvang as the 2012 Danish Maid.

Each year a new maid is selected to represent Danish Days. She can be seen riding on the floats, making aebelskiver each morning, and spreading good will to the thousands of visitors that come to Solvang for this festive occasion.

A popular treat during Danish Days, aebleskiver (Danish meaning apple slices) are traditional Danish pancakes in a distinctive shape of a sphere. Somewhat similar in texture to American pancakes crossed with a popover, aebleskiver are solid like a pancake but light and fluffy like a popover. They are traditionally topped with powdered sugar and raspberry jam.

Aebleskiver Recipe and Background

A favorite during Danish Days, medisterpølse is a Danish specialty food consisting of a thick, spicy sausage made of minced pork stuffed into casings. The word Medisterpølse was first used in a Swedish housekeeping book from the early 16th century. It is made in one long piece and then cut up into sections before serving. In contrast to many other types of sausage, it is cooked or fried for the first time during the final preparation. The spices generally used are allspice, cloves, salt and pepper.

Win a Trip to Denmark and $1000 Raffle!

What: Round-trip airfare for two to Denmark plus $1,000 cash.

How: Purchase raffle tickets for $1.00 each at participating Solvang merchants (look for signs at cash registers) OR by mail by sending donation checks to Solvang Danish Days Foundation.

When: Tickets are on sale now and drawing is always Third Wednesday in October (this year, October 15, 2012)

Why: Help support the annual Danish Days celebration and preserve Solvang’s heritage.

Mange Tak!

We have a Winner! Congratulations to Tara Acosta, Porter Ranch, CA!