'Tis the season for kräftor

Late summer means it's time for crayfish parties  

  • Table set for Ohio's Swedish Cultural Society's annual crayfish party. Photo: Ingemar Svala

  • Guessing most of you will pass on the surströmming (fermented herring, of Sweden인터넷바카라s north), which per tradition premieres on the third Thursday of August, or the ålagillen (eel banquets) of the south, we인터넷바카라ll suggest you do try to experience a kräftskiva, a traditional Swedish crayfish party. Celebrating crayfish goes back to the 1500s when the lakes of Sweden teemed with the fresh food (among other tasty delicacies). Nowadays the month of August starts with the premier of the crayfish, AKA 인터넷바카라kräftpremiär,인터넷바카라 on August 8. Crayfish season may be short, but it is probably the most popular, beginning two weeks ahead of surströmming season (yes, even the world인터넷바카라s smelliest fish has its own season) and the 인터넷바카라dark days of eel인터넷바카라 (ålamörkret).

  • With the combined groups, we had more songs and singers, and of course more crayfish: 90 pounds were ordered this time. Photo by Carlo Viglaini (Ohio).

  • A proper crayfish party includes crayfish with lots of salt and dill, snaps, special decorations and hopefully a full moon. It often includes crisp bread and cheese, and some important rituals, such as drinking snaps by the sip (인터넷바카라nubbe인터넷바카라). It인터넷바카라s usually more important to sing (loudly) than to actually drink a lot of snaps, which is also served ice cold and straight up in shot glasses.
    Make plans for your own kräftskiva or RSVP to one of these local *parties:

  • The crayfish party: A traditional Swedish summer party where a bib (and paper hat) are required.

  • PHILADELPHIA인터넷바카라Aug. 16, 6:30 PM: Annual Crayfish Party in the lighted tent outside the American Swedish Historical Museum /
    SEATTLE인터넷바카라Aug. 16, 6 PM: Summer Crayfish Party at the Nordic Museum인터넷바카라s East Garden /
    MINNEAPOLIS인터넷바카라Aug. 23, 6:30 PM: Kräftskiva 2019 in the ASI인터넷바카라s outdoor courtyard /
    CLEVELAND인터넷바카라Aug. 24, 6 PM: 13th annual SACC-Ohio kräftskiva at the Boulder Creek Golf Course in Streetsboro / 216.403.8945 /
    CHICAGO인터넷바카라Sept 14. SACC Chicago Crayfish party at Wilmette Harbor Club. For info, see

  • In August evenings are still long but darkness has begun to arrive in Sweden. It is crayfish season.

  • *More crayfish parties are happening in September, too. Check our online calendar at and if you know of one, please submit it to the free online calendar to let everyone know.

  • Learn more about the tradition of crayfish in Sweden: