Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Spring with VALBORG

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) invites the community to gather ‘round the bonfire for the third annual Valborg, a traditional Swedish celebration welcoming the arrival spring on Thursday, April 30, 2025 from 5 – 8 pm at the Chicago Waldorf School, 5200 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago. Throw your worries and concerns in the fire while enjoying traditional Swedish songs, family-friendly entertainment and traditional Valborg soup courtesy of The Dinner Belle. The free event also features eco-friendly and sustainability resources in celebration of Earth Month.

Entertainment:

7:00 pm: Traditional Swedish songs with Chicago Swedish Mixed Chorus.
7:30 pm: Fire dancing by Perkulator.

Additional Valborg participants:

Aim & Ignite: selling sustainable crafts and goods.

Andersonville Sustainable Community Alliance (ASCA): discussing sustainability initiatives in Andersonville and the upcoming Andersonville Farmers Market (kicking off Wednesday, May 13).

Aville Grows: Andersonville’s new community garden project, rooted in sustainability, education, and neighborhood connection.

Cafe Tola: selling “Chicago’s Best” empanadas.

Everyone's Type Poetry: creating customized typewriter poetry on the spot.

Organizing For Plastic Alternatives: a Chicago-based activist group that is concerned with our ever-growing reliance on single-use plastics. OPA members are working to change attitudes, business practices, and public policies. The shared vision is to live in a world with less plastic.

The Storm's Eye: tarot card readings.

Valineage: hand-drawn cozy vintage home décor.

Chicago Waldorf School: information on school programming.

The Waste Shed: a non-profit creative reuse organization dedicated to giving new life to art supplies and promoting sustainability. Offering affordable, reused art materials to the public, and providing free supplies to teachers and schools.

Windy City Shaved Ice: selling shaved ice.

Vivant Gardening Services: creating seed balls.

Yarniesbymikey: doodle and crafting for social change.

About Valborg:

Valborg, or Walpurgis Night (named after Saint Walpurga), is a spring festival in Sweden and Northern Europe celebrated annually on April 30. It signifies winter's end with large bonfires, singing and dancing. Rituals ward off evil spirits and welcome warmer weather. It's a time for communities to unite, enjoy the outdoors and embrace nature's renewal. For additional information, visit andersonville.org/events/valborg.

About the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce:

The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development.