Norsk Høstfest celebrates its 38th year Published Oct. 6, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Sahara L. Fales Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT, N.D. -- The 38th annual Norsk Høstfest hosted Military Appreciation Day for all active duty service members, veterans and their families October 3rd. With free admittance to the festival, military members were able to enjoy Scandinavian culture including food, performances, art and more. In addition, tickets to that day's concerts were available at a discounted price. According to their website, Norsk Høstfest is the largest Scandinavian festival in North America. The event celebrates cultures from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. As thousands piled into the Great Hall of the Vikings to watch Grammy Award-winning country band, The Band Perry, Høstfest president David Reiten explained the purpose of having an entire day of the festival devoted to thanking America's troops. "Norsk Høstfest appreciates the duty and the honor the military does for the freedoms we have in our country. To show our appreciation, we host this special day just for them," Reiten said. After Reiten's remarks, Col. Jason Armagost, 5th Bomb Wing commander, took the stage to give thanks to community members. "I want to say thank you to all of you," Armagost said. "One of the things that's commonly heard through North Dakota is that North Dakota feeds the nation, they fuel the nation and we protect the nation. And I'll tell you, this is a fantastic place to serve." In addition to the Band Perry, the festival also featured performers such as Martina McBride, The Beach Boys, Jeff Foxworthy and Celtic Thunder.