To host a festival that celebrates the homecoming of family and friends and our area’s Danish Heritage.

In 1964 a contest was held to develop a way to promote Greenville.  Three business owners offered a cash prize to the person submitting the winning idea.  Mrs. Dorothy Oliver was the winner with her suggestion that a day be set aside to honor the Danish heritage that Greenville enjoys.  

The first Danish Festival was held on August 18, 1965.  Today a 12-20 member Board of Directors and hundreds of volunteers are responsible for developing and presenting the festival, which draws crowds of over 55,000.  This total community effort makes it possible for Greenville to host the Danish Festival year after year.
 
Every effort is made to maintain the festival as a non-commercial community event.  The Danish Festival incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1968 and achieved 501c3 status in 2015.

 Andrea Krause, President

Kristine Cousineau, Vice President & Artisan Fair Director

Ashley VanSloten, Treasurer

Eva Cairns, Secretary & DF-WAN Food Director

Karen Marsman, HCA Park (Children’s Events)            

Brad Cantrell, Food Vendors

Bob Ferrentino, Tivoli Gardens

Jennifer Iteen, DF-WAN MarketPlace & Food Court

Leonard Cradit, Entertainment

Wayne Baker, Parade

Jesper Dinesen, Fundraising

James Barrus, City Liaison

Alexa Neuman, Royalty
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