arts & entertainment

In keeping with the Swedish tradition, a Midsummer Celebration is planned for Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the historic Hallstrom House, 1723 Old Dixie Hwy SW in Vero Beach, FL 32962. The Indian River County Historical Society will host this celebration. Admission is $10 per person for adults and under 16 is free.

The Swedish Midsummer celebration, held around the summer solstice, is a festive event marked by dancing around a maypole and enjoying a Smörgåsbord of seasonal foods. Midsummer takes place in June and celebrates the summer solstice, the year’s longest day. It is one of Sweden’s most cherished holidays, bringing together family and friends in a joyful tribute to the long days of summer.

This family-friendly event will feature a Swedish maypole and music. Midsummer food such as Swedish meatballs, Smörgåstårta Hot Dogs, Strawberry cake, and lemonade will be available for purchase. And, for kids of all ages, there will be Swedish and American games like Kubb, horseshoes, cornhole, a ring toss, and raffles for gift baskets. Tours of the house will be available the day of the event.

The Hallstrom House was home to one family. Swedish immigrant Axel Hallstrom (1870-1966) designed and built the two-story red brick farmhouse. For Ruth (1904-

1999), his only child, it was the only home she ever knew. Upon her death, she bequeathed the house and everything in it to the Indian River County Historical Society.

Today, the home is a living museum providing visitors with an experiential interpretation of this bygone time in our history. In 2002, the Hallstrom House was placed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places.

For over thirty years, the Indian River County Historical Society has contributed to preserving the historical and environmental resources of Indian River County, the Indian River Lagoon area, and the State of Florida. The Historical Society is a non-profit organization.

For more information or to volunteer with the Historical Society, call 772-778-3435 or email indianriverhisto@bellsouth.net