The summer solstice is a day of celebration in Scandinavia. The Friday closest to June 20th is the official 'Midsommarafton' which, according to ancient rock carvings, has been the tradition for 3000 years. Midsummer Eve was originally celebrated to welcome the arrival of summer in the hope of bountiful harvests, and is celebrated with 'Midsom-marstången' - a maypole bedecked with birch leaves and flowers.

Traditionally, Scandinavians make a flower chaplet (Midsommarkrans) to wear for the day. The celebratory dinner includes assorted pickled herrings (Sill), boiled potatoes, local beer and schnapps, followed by strawberries or fresh fruit for dessert. Children are sent to bed with 7 different flowers under their pillows, and are asked to dream about whom they would marry. After the meal, adults dance around the Midsommarstång, play games and continue celebrating. Since the sun never sets, the festivities continue for hours afterward, often into the following day.

Midsummer festivities occur during the conference, and conference attenders are cordially invited to the official WACRA 2001 Midsummer Celebration. For details, please visit our web site: www.wacra.org