Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge Earns Gold Merit Award
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — Sons of Norway Snorre Lodge has received the District 1 Small Lodge Gold Merit Award for 2025, the organization’s highest level of recognition for small lodge achievement. District One is made up of the states of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri and Texas.
The Gold Merit Award recognizes lodges that demonstrate exceptional organizational strength, community involvement, cultural programming, volunteer service, and membership management. Gold-level lodges must achieve at least 90 percent of the points available through Sons of Norway’s annual reporting and incentive program.
For Snorre Lodge, the award reflects an active year of promoting Scandinavian heritage while remaining strongly involved in the Thief River Falls area. One of the lodge’s largest undertakings is its annual Nordic Fest, a week-long celebration held each May featuring a variety of cultural and historical programs. Activities have included Norwegian films, Viking reenactments, presentations on Nordic history and culture, and opportunities to introduce Scandinavian foods and traditions to the wider community. Lodge members also serve Scandinavian treats at Northern State Bank as part of their Syttende Mai (17th of May) Independence Day celebration.
The lodge brings that same spirit to Norwegian Day at the Fair, where members serve a Scandinavian lunch and help showcase Nordic-style artists and vendors. Throughout the year, Snorre Lodge sponsors additional programs for the public, featuring speakers and presenters on Norwegian and Nordic subjects.
Some activities are designed especially to introduce younger generations and families to Scandinavian traditions. The lodge hosts a family-oriented Norwegian Bingo event each November and maintains an Adopt-the-School program with the Newfolden Elementary School, helping build connections between lodge members and area students. The lodge offers an annual scholarship to students for Skogfjorden Norwegian Language Camp in Bemidji, MN.
Food and fellowship remain important parts of lodge life. Members gather monthly and host an annual membership dinner and a traditional Christmas party featuring torsk.
Snorre Lodge’s mission extends beyond preserving Nordic heritage. Members support a variety of community and charitable causes, including Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army bell ringing, the food shelf, after-prom activities, and the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Receiving the Gold Merit Award recognizes the combined efforts of Snorre Lodge members who volunteer their time throughout the year to preserve Scandinavian traditions, share Nordic culture with the public and serve their community.
Everyone is welcome to attend Snorre Lodge’s membership dinner with musical entertainment on Tuesday, September 29, at the Eagles Hall in Thief River Falls. The $16.00 roast beef dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. Advance reservations are required by calling David Lee at 218-686-0733