Norwegian Fjord Horses From Ballard?Well, sadly no, there isn't a Fjord Horse ranch hidden behind Olson's Scandinavian Foods or anywhere else in Ballard. There really aren't any Fjord horses that are from Ballard at all, but they show up once a year to honor Ballard's Syttende Mai celebration. The "Ballard Fjord Horses" are a group of horses from various farms in Washington that are brought together once year for Ballard's parade day.
Each year on May 17th, this historically Scandinavian district of Seattle, Washington, hosts its annual Syttende Mai parade. May 17th is Norwegian Constitution Day, an event as celebrated in Norway as the 4th of July is in the United States. Ballard hosts one of the largest Syttende Mai celebration outside of Norway.Why would they come to Ballard?
Norwegian Fjord Horses are an important part of Norwegian culture. They are brought to Ballard, not only to celebrate Syttende Mai with the community, but also to show people who may have never seen or heard of them, what beautiful, gentle, and distinctly Norwegian horses they are.