Come experience a bit of Scandinavia this Thursday at the annual Swedish Smörgåsbord.

Approximately 70 volunteers put on this nearly 80 year-long tradition at the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. Event organizer Ruth Meth explains the sentiment behind the smörgåsbord, “The Swedish expression ‘va så god’ is the underlying foundation of it and a translation of that would be, ‘Please honor us by accepting what we have to offer.’ And in a more simple translation it means ‘Come to the table.’”

This dinner has been held the first Thursday in December since 1938 except for a couple years during WWII when rationing limited access to necessary ingredients for the feast. The menu consists of several traditional Scandinavian dishes, all recipes that have been handed down through generations. Meth says the event’s purpose is charitable, and all proceeds go to around 20 different mission organizations. Limited tickets are available for a 5, 6, and 7 p.m. seating. For tickets, contact the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church at 319-254-2216 or office@swedesburglutheran.org, Meth at 319-254-2129, or Louise Unkrich at 319-750-5176.