Beach Boys come to Minot Published Sept. 30, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Christian Sullivan Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- North America's largest Scandanavian festival, Norsk HØstfest kicked off Tuesday and culminates with a Military Appreciation Day Saturday. The 38th annual festival will feature food, entertainment with organizers expecting approximately 60,000 visitors from the world. Performing on Military Appreciation Day will be Grammy Award winning performers "The Beach Boys." Having sold more than 100M albums worldwide, the band is widely considered by experts as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. We recently talked to Bruce Johnston, a member of the band since 1965, about performing for military members and their families on Military Appreciation Day. "I think we got lucky," Johnston explained. "We know about Minot Air Force Base and how it has the B-52H Stratofortress protecting us, so I'm all for it!" Although Johnston never served in the military, he still feels very strongly about those that do. "It's funny, I never got drafted but I went to military school," Johnston said. "I do believe in a super strong military. I think it keeps everything in check." Although the band has performed for millions of fans around the world, Johnston discussed the band's experience performing for military members and their families. "We've played on aircraft carriers and all over the place," Johnston said. He also mentioned the band has had their fair share of what is known as the "Magic City." "The best time to come is not the winter, we come in the summer, the cushy months," Johnston joked. "I'd say this is my 20th time coming to Minot." Johnston reiterated his feelings towards what the military does both while at stateside and at deployed locations. "It's a real commitment for young men and women, I think I'd cry for a couple of weeks if I had to do it," Johnston said. "You're really trading an important time in your life to increase the value of your life." Johnston said he and the rest of the band are looking forward to performing on a day devoted to the men and women who serve their country. "I think it's nice the people stationed here have opportunities where they can come out during their free time and go to events like this," Johnston said.