Our Mission Statement
To host a festival that celebrates the homecoming of family and friends and our area's Danish Heritage.
History of the Danish Festival
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 15-25 member Board of Directors and hundreds of volunteers are responsible for developing and presenting the festival, which draws crowds of over 75,000. 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.
Board of Directors
Andrea Krause, President
Kristine Cousinneau, Vice President
Dawn Snyder, Treasurer
Emily Newhouse, Secretary
Jeanne Cunliffe, City Liaison
Jodi Petersen, Parade
Brad Cantrell, Food Vendors
James Nelson, Danish Dash
Lauren Gibbs, Family Fun Day
Alexis Sherwood, HCA Park
Melody Teegardin, Royalty
Bob Ferrentino, Tivoli Gardens
Leonard Cradit, Entertainment
Jennifer Iteen, DF-WAN MarketPlace & Food Court
Eva Carins, DF-WAN MarketPlace & Food Court
