Bonnamarknad

Bonnamarknad literally translates to "farmers' market", but doesn't equate to what farmers' market implies in U.S. cities. The regular gathering of local farmers and/or distributors to sell produce to the community, that in Sweden is just called marknad, or market.


But Bonnamarknad, as Roger explains it, is an once-a-year, kind of springtime carnival/festival, that a Swedish kommun, or county, hosts. I'm guessing it's another celebration of spring and warm weather. Perhaps in the past the farmers would bring the early harvests, and there would be music, dance, festivities. Strangely, and surely incorrectly, I'm imagining the Men Without Hats "Safety Dance" music video. I'll wait for a comment posting from Roger on that.


Today, the Bonnamarknad in Staffanstorp is a weekend celebration with pony rides, carnival rides, and street of open stall vendors hawking all the carnival food and cheap wares that one might find in any small town USA carnival. It was still fun, for the mere fact that I was experiencing it in Sweden and marveling at how kitschy trinkets and crap (that seem so American to me) transcend national borders.

Hooray for donuts! And look at those toppings.

I think marching bands are fairly popular here.

Hey, wasn't expecting these - who knew!

Wasn't expecting this either, but I love that it showed up here.

Also loving the mustard and ketchup udders.

OK, this for some reason took me by surprise. Dianetics 
followers offering stress tests to the Staffanstorp crowd. 

This horse was not keen on the paparazzi.