Spokane Fall Folk Festival
  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Mission Statement
    • Directions & Maps >
      • Accommodations & Transportation
    • Testimonials
    • Testimonial (2022)
    • Poster Archive
    • Committee
    • Contact Us
    • News & Press Articles
    • Spokane Folklore Society
  • Schedule
  • Programs
    • Spokane Public Radio Broadcast
    • Contra Dancing
  • Performers
    • Performer Application >
      • Performer Policies
    • Performers Alphabetical
    • Performers by Genre
    • Performer Locations & Times
    • New Performers
    • Performers Spotlight
    • Performers Audio Samples
    • Performer Referrals
  • Performances
    • Acknowledgements 2021
    • Alma Brasileira
    • Angus Scott PB
    • Arvid Lundin & Deep Roots
    • Baharat Dance Company
    • Blue Ribbon Tea Co
    • Bob Riggs
    • Brad Keeler
    • Brad Sondahl
    • Brittany Jean
    • Bulgarian Dance Group
    • Cigar Box Guitar Slingers
    • Cd'A Youth Marimba
    • Coeurimba
    • Crooked Kilt
    • Daniel Gore
    • Dario Re
    • Dennis Glidden
    • Due North Band
    • Eyer Family Band
    • Frankie Ghee
    • Hank Cramer
    • Heat Speak
    • Hunter Koss
    • Indian Youth Club
    • Jen Edgren
    • KlapaDooWopella
    • Larry Lotz
    • LaVona Reeves
    • Little Red Shed
    • Lyle Morse
    • Maple Ridge Band
    • Natanam Dance School
    • Old Plank Road
    • Patrice Webb
    • Poor Boy's Delight
    • Safar
    • Sidetrack
    • Silver Spurs
    • Sondahl Hawkins & Thomsen
    • Spokane Area Square Dancers
    • Spokane Bon Odori Dancers
    • SFS Contra Dances
    • Spokane Storytelling League
    • Spokane Taiko
    • Steven King
    • Steven Schennum
    • True North Duo
    • Two Grey Cats
    • Ukestra
  • Sponsors
    • Major Sponsors
    • Friends of the Festival
  • Volunteers
    • Acknowledgements 2020
    • Volunteer Thank You 2019
    • Two Special Volunteers 2019
    • Two Special Volunteers 2018
    • Two Special Volunteers 2017
    • Volunteer Appreciation Dance 2017
  • Vendors
    • Vendors 2022
    • Food Vendors
    • Vendor Application
  • Wares
    • Festival Bake Sale
    • Festival Buttons Sale
    • Festival Buttons Archive
    • Festival T-Shirt Archive
    • Festival Hats Archive
    • Festival Mug Archive
  • Photos
    • Festival Photos 2022
    • Festival Photos Archive
    • Mighty PJAMRS Photos 2022
    • Haran Irish Dancers Photos 2018
    • Jammers Photos 2018
    • Contra Dance Workshop Photos 2018
    • Kids Photos
    • Scottish Photos
    • Volunteer Photos
    • Vendor Photos
  • Donate
    • Donation Online
Picture
Non-Profit
Donate to Support the Festival

Vasa Order of America

Picture
North Star Lodge #145
Spokane, Washington
A Swedish-American Fraternal Organization

History
The Vasa Order of America was founded in 1896, and North Star Lodge #145 in 1908, as a benefit fraternal society for Swedish immigrants to the United States. Membership at the time was limited to Swedish born men with the purpose of helping them transition into life in their new country. A benefit fund provided a small income to members during sickness, and a death benefit that at the time would cover final expenses. The order is named for Gustav Vasa, who liberated the country in the 15th century and became the first King of modern Sweden. The name of Vasa reflects the Order’s roots as a Swedish American Fraternal Organization.
 
What we are now
Over the past 124 years, many things have changed, and the Vasa Order has grown to meet the new needs of the Nordic American community. Where in the past, members looked to Vasa to help them learn the ways of the new country and provide them a means to share problems and solutions with the countrymen, today Vasa provides members a means to share their rich heritage with fellow Americans, and helps them to learn or remember the meaningful ways and values of the “Old Country.”
 
Who we are
Swedish in origin, the Vasa Order welcomes men and women over 14 years of age of Nordic roots, (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic), and their spouses, or anyone of good moral character who would like to discover the history and traditions of Sweden or share their Nordic Heritage. We do this by encouraging the observance of special dates old and new, such as Midsummer, with proper festivities including Smorgasbord, dancing, and Scandinavian music. While much of our activity occurs during the summer season, in mid-December is hard to find a Vasa Lodge where Luciafest is not observed. Our members range in age and interests and maintain close ties with Sweden
 
What we do
Whenever we can, we take part in programs where we can share our rich heritage with the public, such as the Unity in the Community and the Fall Folk Festival. We also have scholarships for Higher Education.
 
Meetings
We meet monthly, usually on the 3rd Saturday at 12:00 pm at the Country Homes Christian Church, 8415 N Wall Street, Spokane, WA 99208. Currently with the COVID-19 outbreak, we are not meeting but try to have Zoom meetings until we can get together again.
 
Information
For more information about the lodge, please call Steve Matthews at 509-489-2333 or e-mail him at scubasteve701@comcast.net
​

Picture
Picture
Back to Virtual Marketplace
Picture
Picture
Spokane Folklore Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to fostering international cultures in Spokane.
Spokane Folklore Society, PO Box 9768, Spokane, WA 99209-9768 | (509) 828-3683 | Director@spokanefolkfestival.org
© COPYRIGHT 2016 - 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.