The Julkärve shocks that adorn Main Street during the frigid Christmas season are cut and prepared in the heat of the June harvest.

Artist and Lindsborg native Carla Wilson says that Swedish immigrants who settled the Smoky Valley brought many traditions to their new home including a thankfulness for abundance and blessing on the land. Leaving bundles of wheat, oats or barley tied up high for the birds to eat was a way to give back with a thankful heart and bring hope to the new year.

Julkärve in Lindsborg

Chester (Chet) Peterson grew up north of Lindsborg and has been cutting wheat for nearly nine decades. This week a number of Chet’s grandchildren joined him as he dusted off his 1920s reaper-binder machine for a lesson in their family’s harvest heritage.

The Peterson family has been instrumental in helping the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers decorate Main Street with Julkärve for many years. “It’s a blessing to have so many grandchildren to help,” Chet said. The Julkärve will be sold at the Dala Town studio at 105 N. Main in Lindsborg during 2020 Midsummer’s Festival this Saturday, June 20, beginning at 10am.