By Mike Kelley

Working on the newspaper story for Thorsby’s first Swedish Festival in 1988, I was surprised when I received a call from one of the town’s first residents, M.Z. Thorson.

Mr. Thorson had heard about Thorsby’s plan to celebrate its Swedish heritage and called offering his editorial support.

Mr. Thorson shared with our readers his personal account of how his father and others moved to what became Thorsby in 1895. The Thorson family moved from Thorsby in 1910, and M.Z. Thorson went on to make his fortune in the paint manufacturing above the Mason-Dixon Line.

It is hard to believe 20 years have passed, but the town of Thorsby will celebrate its 21st Swedish Festival on Oct. 17 at Richard Wood Park. Festival events include beauty pageants (Monday and Tuesday, October 5-6 at Thorsby High School), a parade, arts and crafts, car show, area singing groups and much—more all on Oct. 17.

Mark your calendars now. The Swedish Festival will be a good way to spend a fall day.

– Mike Kelley is publisher of The North Chilton Advertiser. You can reach him at mike.kelley

@northchiltonadvertiser.com.