Syttende Mai Royalty

Since 1969, Stoughton's Syttende Mai festival has crowned a 'Festival King and Queen,' selected based on their community service and dedication to promoting the city’s Norwegian heritage. Nominated by community members, the King and Queen proudly serve as ambassadors for the festival, proudly wearing their bunads, traditional Norwegian costumes, and participating in major events.

The Festival Prince and Princess, chosen from third graders in the Stoughton Area School District, are selected through a random drawing from applications submitted by parents or guardians. These young ambassadors join the King and Queen at various festival activities, such as riding in the Sunday Parade, starting the Lil' Run, and attending the opening dinner.

Together, these ambassadors play an essential role in bringing the spirit and tradition of the Syttende Mai Festival to life, representing the event throughout the week leading up to the celebration.

The 2026 Prince and Princess Application are now closed.

Nominations for the 2026 King and Queen are now closed.

Referred to as the 'Best Kept Secret' in Stoughton prior to the official announcement, the Festival King and Queen are revealed to the public at the Norse Afternoon of Fun in February, an event produced by the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers.

2026 Syttende Mai Royalty

The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce Syttende Mai Festival has named Gary and Ellen Smithback as the 2026 King and Queen, bestowing upon them the celebration’s highest honor. As proud representatives of Stoughton's rich Norwegian heritage, they will play a central role in this year’s festivities, embodying the spirit and tradition of the Festival.

Pictured above: Gary and Ellen (Dybdahl) Smithback, the 2026 Syttende Mai King and Queen, along with Bryce Zikcert (8) and Hanna Lewis (8), who will serve as the 2026 Prince and Princess.

Gary and Ellen (Dybdahl) Smithback were both born and raised in Stoughton and are proud graduates of Stoughton High School. Growing up in a community deeply rooted in Norwegian heritage shaped their lives and instilled in them a lasting love for Stoughton’s traditions—especially Syttende Mai. They will celebrate 43 years of marriage in August and are the proud parents of three children: Solveig (Jonathan) Schroerlucke, Karl (Stacy) Smithback, and Siri (Gordon) Smithback-Freeman. They are also grandparents to Eowyn, Anders, Audny, and Haakon.

The couple has made significant contributions to Stoughton’s cultural and civic life. Their long-standing support of the Stoughton Village Players includes Ellen’s behind-the-scenes work in production and Gary’s service in numerous roles, including board member, actor, writer, and producer. For the past twenty years, Gary has also co-written the beloved Syttende Mai show. Together, they played a key role in launching the Stoughton Youth Players, providing both leadership and financial support to help bring this youth-focused offshoot of the Village Players to life.

Ellen and Gary currently serve on the board of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library and are members of Sons of Norway. They are also lifetime members of Vesterheim, the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. In addition, Gary is a member of the Madison Torske Klubben and a former board member of Friends of Lake Kegonsa, where he spearheaded the Leaf Collection Program—a collaborative effort between the City of Stoughton and the Towns of Dunn and Pleasant Springs.

Gary’s lifelong commitment to community service began early. In his youth, he helped maintain city parks, worked summers unloading boxcars at the Scheldrup Brothers Feed Mill (owned by his uncles), and later served as a cameraman and assistant director for STO-TV’s This Week. During high school and college, he worked at Smithback Plumbing, founded by his father in 1959, eventually taking over the business. He also co-developed Stoughton’s Hillcrest neighborhood, established Smithback Realty and Builders, and has served as a director of a local bank since its founding in 2000.

Ellen has remained deeply connected to Norwegian culture and the arts throughout her life. In high school, she performed as an accordionist with the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers, and in the mid-1980s, she studied rosemaling with Vesterheim Gold Medalist Vi Thode. Her love of Scandinavian culture later became part of her professional life when she worked for The Nordic Company, a tour operator specializing in travel to the region. More recently, she has shared her love of music with the community by teaching piano to local students through her Lakeview Piano Academy.

The couple has traveled to Norway several times, including a meaningful trip to locate their respective family farms. Ellen will wear the Nye Valdres Bunad, honoring her heritage from Hedalen, while Gary will wear the Numedal Bunad, representing his roots in Nore.

Ellen and Gary are proud to call Stoughton home. To them, the Syttende Mai Festival represents not just a celebration, but their heritage, their community, and a joyful expression of Norwegian culture and pride.

Joining the Smithbacks as Syttende Mai Royalty are Bryce Zikcert (8) and Hanna Lewis (8), who will serve as the 2026 Prince and Princess. Both Bryce and Hanna are third graders at Kegonsa Elementary School.

These dedicated ambassadors proudly represent the Syttende Mai Festival at various events throughout the week leading up to and during the Festival weekend. The celebration officially begins on May 15th and is presented by the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce.

Syttende Mai Past Royalty

The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce is honored to present this list of all Syttende Mai Kings and Queens who have served the community of Stoughton since 1969. We continue to be grateful for their service and dedication.

1969 - Odvar & Ester Haug (Copy)

1970 - Warren & Ingrid Fessenden (Copy)

1971 - Norris & Carol Fosdal (Copy)

1972 - John & Sonia Holtan (Copy)

1973 - Jim & Kathy Anderson (Copy)

1974 - Bob & Marion Gilbert (Copy)

1975 - Truman & Harmona Fellend (Copy)

1976 - Ron & Barbara Furseth (Copy)

1977 - Dale & Yvonne Holzhuter (Copy)

1978 - Doug & Shirley Stokstad (Copy)

1979 - David & Janice Smedal (Copy)

1980 - Oscar & Beverly Forton (Copy)

1981 - Doug & Ardys Pfundheller (Copy)

1982 - David & Ann Nelson (Copy)

1983 - Palmer & Ellen Jacobson (Copy)

1984 - Don & Doris Helmke (Copy)

1985 - Art & Irene Svuem (Copy)

1986 - Myron & Dorothy Wilcox (Copy)

1987 - Al & Shirley Nygaard (Copy)

1988 - Fred & Ruth Rushlow (Copy)

1989 - Ralph & Wilma Baumbach (Copy)

1990 - Tom & Philanye Chose (Copy)

1991 - Eugene (Pud) & Bea Kalland (Copy)

1992 - Oscar & Pearl Elvekrog (Copy)

1993 - George & Agnes Green (Copy)

1994 - Norman & Helen Gerber (Copy)

1995 - Don & Carol Wahlin (Copy)

1996 - Francis (Doc) & Dee Schammel (Copy)

1997 - Richard & Sue Albright (Copy)

1998 - Roger & Judie Nitzsche (Copy)

1999 - Vern & Bev Piper (Copy)

2000 - Dave & Carol Skavlen (Copy)

2001 - Chet & Helen Johnson (Copy)

2002 - Olaf & Kathy Brekke (Copy)

2003 - Jon & Connie Blackman (Copy)

2004 - Orin & Dorothy Hermundstad (Copy)

2005 - Jerry & Judy Gryttenholm (Copy)

2006 - Bob & Becky Greiber (Copy)

2007 - Kent & Judy Schroder (Copy)

2008 - Steve & Kris Christenson (Copy)

2009 - Rodger Roloff & Jo Laffey-Roloff (Copy)

2010 - Dave & Barb Kalland (Copy)

2011 - Dick & Barb Entwistle (Copy)

2012 - Mike & Brenda Sherry (Copy)

2013 - John & Darlene Arneson (Copy)

2014 - Sonny & Linda Swangstu (Copy)

2015 - Dan & Jodi Hanson (Copy)

2016 - Marv & Bert Klitzke (Copy)

2017 - Marty & Jean Lamers (Copy)

2018 - Bob & Jodi Coon (Copy)

2019 - Jerry & Karen Lapidakis (Copy)

2020 & 2021 - Randy & Donna Olson (Copy)

2022 - Roger & Donna Strandlie (Copy)

2023 - Dan & Cindy McGlynn (Copy)

2024 - Joe & Erin Conant (Copy)

2025 - Troy & Lynn Wieser (Copy)

2025 Troy and Lynn Wieser

2024 Joe and Erin Conant

2023 Dan and Cindy McGlynn

2022 Roger and Donna Strandlie

2020/21 Randy and Donna Olson

2019 Jerry and Karen Lapidakis

2018 Bob and Jodi Coon

2017 Marty and Jean Lamers

2016 Marv and Bert Klitzke

2015 Dan and Jodi Hanson

2014 Sonny and Linda Swangstu

2013 John and Darlene Arneson

2012 Mike and Brenda Sherry

2011 Dick and Barb Entwistle

2010 Dave and Barb Kalland

2009 Rodger Roloff and Jo Laffey-Roloff

2008 Steve and Kris Christenson

2007 Kent and Judy Schroeder

2006 Bob and Becky Greiber

2005 Jerry and Judy Gryttenholm

2004 Orin and Dorothy Hermundstad

2003 Jon and Connie Blackman

2002 Olaf and Kathy Brekke

2001 Chet and Helen Johnson

2000 David and Carol Skavlen

1999 Vern and Bev Pieper

1998 Roger and Judie Nitzsche

1997 Rich and Susan Albright

1996 Doc and Dee Schammel

1995 Don and Carol Wahlin

1994 Norman and Helen Gerber

1993 George and Agnes Green

1992 Oscar and Pearl Elvekrog

1991 Eugene and Bea Kalland

1990 Tom and Philayne Chose

1989 Ralph and Wilma Baumbach

1988 Fred and Ruth Rushlow

1987 Al and Shirley Nygaard

1986 Myron and Dorothy Wilcox

1985 Art and Irene Sveum

1984 Don and Doris Helmke

1983 Palmer and Ellen Jacobsen

1982 David and Ann Nelson

1981 Doug and Ardys Pfundheller

1980 Oscar and Beverly Forton

1979 David and Janice Smedal

1978 Doug and Shirley Stokstad

1977 Dale and Yvonne Holzhuter

1976 Ron and Barbara Furseth

1975 Truman and Harmona Felland

1974 Bob and Marion Gilbert

1973 Jim and Kathy Anderson

1972 John and Sonia Holtan

1971 Norris and Carol Fosdal

1970 Warren and Ingrid Fessenden

1969 Odvar and Esther Haug