A Little Piece of Sweden in the Middle of California – Our Trip to the Swedish Festival in Kingsburg

Last week we experienced something we will probably never forget.

Right in the middle of California’s Central Valley, along the route between Los Angeles and San Francisco and not far from Sequoia National Park, lies the small town of Kingsburg. A town of around 13,000 inhabitants – and at the same time a place where Swedish heritage is still very much alive in a truly special way.

Kingsburg was originally founded in 1873 as a railroad stop under the name “Kings River Switch.” During that time, many Swedish immigrants settled in the area. Even as late as 1921, as much as 94% of the population within a few miles had Swedish roots. That is why the town became known as “Little Sweden” – and even today, Swedish influences can be seen everywhere.

Dala horses stand throughout the town, Swedish flags wave along the streets, and Swedish accordion music plays through speakers in the town center almost all day long. The bakeries offer Swedish pastries and treats, and everywhere you can feel the pride in the town’s Swedish traditions.

Every year, on the third weekend of May, Kingsburg celebrates the Swedish Festival. The festival takes place in spring because summers in the area would simply be far too hot.

For us, the journey to Kingsburg actually began several years ago.

That is where June – a wonderful elderly woman with Swedish roots – runs the shop Svensk Butik. Over the years, we have built a very special collaboration together. They wanted to offer coffee that is actually roasted in Sweden, and over time we created several custom coffees with their own labels for the shop.

This year, we also had the honor of creating an official festival coffee for the Swedish Festival.

The label became especially personal because it features old photographs from Kingsburg from the 1960s – including pictures of June herself as a young mother together with her baby son Eric. And perhaps one of the most special moments of the trip was meeting Eric in Kingsburg many years later as an adult.

There were many moments like that during the trip – small, personal moments that made the experience unforgettable.

The people we met were incredibly warm, open and welcoming. We were greeted with such kindness that it was almost difficult to take it all in.

During the festival, we were even invited on stage and introduced to the audience. We also had the opportunity to present June and this year’s Festival Queen with a small gift: the festival coffee and a glass Dala horse from Målerås Glasbruk.

The festival itself offered many memorable experiences over several days. Thursday evening traditionally began with Swedish pea soup and pancakes – despite temperatures close to 30°C. On Friday evening there was a concert by an ABBA tribute band, and on Saturday the streets filled with music, floats and people during a large parade.

We also had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people during the festival – including the mayor, Staci.

For us, the trip to Kingsburg became much more than just a festival visit.

It became a meeting between Sweden and California. Between history and the present day. And between people who, despite living in completely different parts of the world, still share the same love for Swedish culture, fika and coffee.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful thing we brought back home with us to Småland.