Month: June 2025

Uffda Day enters the ’90s

On By rutlandramblingsIn UffDa DayLeave a comment

Rutland’s sixth annual Uffda Day was held on Sunday, October 7, 1990, with a large crowd attendance. A new attraction this year was the car show. Thirty-nine vehicles were on display including antiques, street rods and restored classics. Two awards for given: (1) for the longest distance that went to Wallace Nelson from East Grand Forks and (2) the People’s Choice Award given to Richard Engwicht of Oakes (no information was located on what make and model the vehicles were that year).

Pioneer skills demonstrated were tatting, bobbin lace, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, hardanger, spinning, counted cross-stitch, cream separating, butter churning, sausage making, clothes washing, gas engines, corn shelling, rope making and homemade ice cream. Fresh lefse was rolled out at the senior center and fed numerous visitors who wanted to try the Norwegian taste treats.

There were ten ethnic foods prepared for everyone to enjoy together with a buffet meal. A horse farming demonstration, antique farm machinery display, quilt display and horse drawn rides were enjoyed by young and old. About 40 exhibitors and crafters displayed their items.

A special feature throughout the day was entertainment by musicians and square dancers. The Pioneer House, furnished to represent the early 1900s, was also a new attraction.

  • Harvey Bergstrom
  • Pioneer House

1989 State Centennial Celebration & Uffda Day

On By rutlandramblingsIn Life In GeneralLeave a comment

In May of 1989, the Community Club made the decision to move Uffda Day to the first weekend in October and planning began. The event would also be part of the Rutland State Centennial Celebration on Sunday, October 8, 1989. Events actually began on Saturday evening with a potluck supper at the Hall. The Centennial Chorus from Rutland, South Dakota, entertained the supper crowd with several old favorites. They were followed by a medley of songs from the Norwegian musical team of Arneson and Lindbo then entertained with dance music old and new.

The lead off event on Sunday was the parade which consisted of nearly 50 units. Despite chilly temperatures, a large crowd was on hand to enjoy a good time in Rutland. A World War II AT-6 trainer fly-over by local aviator Rodney Erickson and his boss, Steve Weatherby of Weatherby Ag Services, spearheaded the parade which was led by the Rutland, South Dakota, High School band.

  • South Dakota High School Band
  • Rutland Centennial Committee

Craft booths, food stands and other exhibits all reported a brisk business. Many Uffda Day visitors were impressed by excellent displays in the Depot Museum, Pioneer House and Country School. More than 2,000 lefse was made and sold out 3/$1.75 or fresh off the grill for 50 cents, 20 gallons of rommegrot was prepared

  • Ella Lou & Izetta
  • Hal Nelson
  • Helen Anderson
  • Larry Anderson
  • Plowing demo
  • Plowing demonstrations
  • Tractor pull
  • Uffda Day Stew

At the Community Club meeting following Uffda Day, the Uffda Day Chairpersons Doris Hoistad, Hal Nelson and Lori McLean delivered their report on the event. There was discussion as to whether the event would continue to be held and changing it to just one day, either Saturday and Sunday. The vote was taken and was overwhelmingly in favor of having the event again in 1990 and to have it on Sunday “as in the past”.

Fourth Uffda Day – 1988

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The fourth annual Uffda Day saw record quantities of lefse, rommegrot, krumkake, fattigman, abelskievers, rosettes and rice pudding washed down with gallons of coffeeby those who were hungy for the food. Eight gallons of cream were converted to homemade ice cream. There were demonstrations of rosemaling, quilt-making, sausage stuffing, rope making, cream separating, butter churning and old-time clothes washing. Eight thousand feet of baling twine was wound into rope by the rope-making crew. Forty-eight tractors participated in the antique tractor pull again done in “McLaen’s Meadow” on the west edge of town.

A Norwegian dance band entertained with a dance on Saturday night and concerts Sunday afternoon. The band members were Tommy Johansen, Ivar Thoresen, Frank Lonberg and Wenke Carlson from Oslo, Norway. They were accompanied by Rolf Johnsrud and Rita Bjerke, also of Oslo. 

  • Another full weekend
  • Saturday concert & dance
  • 6 a.m. workers
  • Crafters
  • Lefse coming soon
  • Making ice cream
  • break time
  • Rope making

The pictures in the post are just a sampling of what is available to view. There are notebooks on each year along with news and photographs to browse. The plan is to have the notebooks/albums out for viewing during this coming year’s events. The exact location of these materials will be determined by October 5th.