Happy Valborgsmässoafton!

April 30 is Valborgs day AND it is the king's birthday.  So, things are getting a little wild around here!  Valborgmässoafton is Sweden's bonfire night, where huge bonfires are built around the city to welcome in spring and the longer, lighter days.  Tomorrow is a holiday so that people can be up late celebrating and enjoying the bonfires.  Apparently, there will be drinking, singing, dancing and story-telling.  We plan to head out soon to witness some of this first hand.  There also appears to be an old car show lining our street with swarms of people.  I will have to find out what all of that is about too…
AND, if all of that isn't enough, today is the official day when the seniors in high school start wearing their sailor hats, parading around the city and just generally starting to celebrate their upcoming graduation. Never mind that graduation is still a month away!  I saw my first parade today with blue and yellow balloons and even a drum line.  I then saw kids in white hats all over town.  Tabitha has gotten her hat, but because her school is out right now on their study break, they haven't started any processions.  I am sure that it is coming.

Here are some close ups of Tabitha's hat…

Time for some bonfires...