Danish Federation Conference 2026
Hosted by Sunset Villa
Join us for camaraderie, learning, and experiencing Danish and local traditions. All are welcome!
Dates
June 4-7, 2026
Hotel Rate
$169/night + tax
Conference Fee
$105 primary
Deadline
April 15, 2026
Conference Highlights
Annual General Meetings
Danish Federation AGM and Danish Canadian National Museum AGM
Traditional Danish Cuisine
Frikadeller, Flæskesteg, Smørrebrød, Æbleskiver, and more
Workshops
Æbleskiver making, Danish games, genealogy, and Christmas crafts
Live Entertainment
Live music with Thomas Kovacs, folk dancers, and Viking demonstrations
History & Heritage
Walking tours of Sunset Villa, Crieff, and Mindepark cemetery
Excursions
St. Jacobs Market and Mennonite country bus tour
Conference Schedule
Four days of Danish traditions, fellowship, and unforgettable experiences
04Thursday
Welcome Reception
Thursday
Welcome Reception
Check-in at The Cambridge Hotel
700 Hespeler Rd, Cambridge, Ontario
Dinner on Your Own
Try The Bruce restaurant at the hotel or walk to Beertown
Welcome Reception
Meet and mingle in the Dorset Room. Charcuterie, door prizes, and drinks (cash bar). — $36
05Friday
Meetings, Workshops & Danish Dinner
Friday
Meetings, Workshops & Danish Dinner
Breakfast at Hotel
Complimentary for hotel guests
Bus to Sunset Villa
Return bus fare — $32
Danish Federation Annual General Meeting
Included with conference fee
Danish Lunch at The Danish Place
Danish Boller Soup, Tarteletter, Citron Fromage or Æblekage — $40
Guided Walking Tour
Explore Sunset Villa, Crieff, and Mindepark urn cemetery — Included
Danish Canadian National Museum AGM
Included with conference fee
Workshop Session 1
Choose: Make Æbleskiver (Dome) OR Play Danish Games (Courtyard) — Included
Workshop Session 2
Choose: Danish Xmas Crafts OR Danish Genealogy OR Danish Games — Included
Traditional Danish Dinner
Frikadeller, Flæskesteg with mashed & caramelized potatoes, red cabbage, cucumber salad. Lagkage dessert — $60
Museum Fundraiser Raffle
Support the Danish Canadian National Museum! Raffle donations appreciated
Live Music with Thomas Kovacs
Classics everyone will remember, plus requests! — Included
Cab-pooling back to Hotel
Cabs arranged as needed — Included
06Saturday
St. Jacobs Market & Mennonite Tour
Saturday
St. Jacobs Market & Mennonite Tour
Breakfast at Hotel
Complimentary for hotel guests
Bus to St. Jacobs Market
Departure sharp! Arrive 5-10 mins early — $32
Mennonite Video & Q&A
30-minute presentation with famous apple fritters from Fritter Co. — $10
Free Time at St. Jacobs Market
Visit the 300+ vendor tables and large Antique Market. Lunch on your own.
Mennonite Country Bus Tour (2 hrs)
Visit farms, school, church, and Ontario's only covered bridge at West Montrose. Pit stop at Kitchen Kuttings (they sell Esrom cheese!) — $33
Return to Hotel
Arrive approximately 3:45 PM
Optional Dinner at The Bruce Craft House
Hotel restaurant. Pay your own. Or take the evening off to rest!
07Sunday
Constitution Day & Conference Closing
Sunday
Constitution Day & Conference Closing
Breakfast at Hotel
Complimentary for hotel guests
Bus to Sunset Villa
Departure sharp! Bring luggage if checking out — $17 + $10 arrival fee
Conference Closing Lunch
Herring appetizer and 2 Smørrebrød sandwiches at The Danish Place — $45
Constitution Day Activities
Reserved seating area with Æbleskiver at 2pm — Included
Folk Dancers on the Field
Æbleskiver Eating Contest
Stage Speeches & Conference Closing
"Handing over the Fane" to Vancouver for 2027
Viking Demo or Mindepark Worship Service
Plus: games, Viking camp, vendor booths, Butik, Danish Pastry House, pond walks
Optional Transport to Hotel
Group cabs arranged — Estimated $15-20 per person (cash)
Conference Fee Includes
Primary Registrant: $105 | Secondary Registrant: $85
Full conference (all meals & activities): approximately $420 per person
Danish Heritage Seminar
June 8–12, 2026 • Immediately Following the Conference
"Making Denmark Great Again!"
The seminar is modeled on the Danish Folk School tradition and will be led by Pastor Kirstine Rasmussen of the Danish Church in Toronto.
Experience culture, history, and engaging lectures while sharing in fun and meaningful fellowship. Sessions in English with Danish spoken along the way.
Featured Speakers
- Heidi Bank — Danish Member of Parliament (Venstre)
- Commander Kasper Ladegaard — Danish Defence Attaché to Canada
- Oscar Bang Hansen — Media and Film, Copenhagen University
- Pastor Simon Kangas Larsen — Former Pastor, Danish Church Toronto
Program Includes
- • 4 nights accommodation with hot breakfast
- • Transportation to/from Toronto Pearson
- • Lunches (Tues, Wed, Thurs) & Dinners (Mon, Tues, Thurs)
- • All presentations, Morgensang, and workshops
- • Film screening: "The Girl with the Needle" (Oscar-nominated)
- • Goodbye Party with entertainment & lottery
Seminar Registration Fees
Full Program w/Shared Room: $1,000/person
Full Program w/Single Room: $1,375/single, $1,950/couple
Program Only (no room): $600/person
Single Day Options:
Monday $100 | Tuesday $200 | Wednesday $100 | Thursday $250
$250 deposit required. Cancel by April 12, 2026 for refund (deposit forfeited after).
Registrar: Sune Overgaard
suneovergaard@hotmail.com | 416-709-3139
Accommodation
The Cambridge Hotel
700 Hespeler Rd, Cambridge, Ontario
$169/night + tax
Mention "Danish Federation Canada" when booking
1-866-622-1505
cambridgehotel.ca
Room Rate Includes:
- ✓Complimentary hot breakfast daily
- ✓Free on-site parking
- ✓Modern guest rooms
- ✓Fitness facilities
- ✓On-site restaurant (The Bruce)
- ✓24-hour business centre
Shuttles will be arranged to and from events as needed.
Transportation
Getting to the conference from major airports
Toronto Pearson
75 km / 60 mins
~$120-140 by cab/Uber
Waterloo Airport
11 km / 15 mins
~$30 by cab/Uber
Hamilton Airport
53 km / 50 mins
~$100-145 by cab/Uber
Transportation Options:
Cab-pooling Available
Include your flight details on the registration form and we'll try to pair you with someone. We'll notify you by April 30.
Book Your Own:
- • City Cabs: 519-747-7777 (citycabs.ca)
- • Uber/Lyft: Download app
- • Airways Transit: 519-886-2121 (10% senior discount)
Registration
Registration deadline: April 15, 2026
How to Register
By E-Transfer:
- Send to: suneovergaard@hotmail.com
- Question: "what is this for"
- Password: conference2026
- Note: "Conference fee for [your names]"
- Email registration form to: lisaolsen@ymail.com
By Cheque:
Make payable to "Federation of Danish Associations in Canada"
Mail with form to:
Lisa Olsen
603-2210 Lakeshore Rd
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 4J9
Also accepted:
Visa, Mastercard, or Debit
Cancellation Policy
Until April 14, 2026
Fully refundable
April 15 – May 28, 2026
50% refundable
After May 28, 2026
Non-refundable
Dietary Restrictions
Please indicate on your registration form: Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Vegan, or Allergies
About Sunset Villa
In 1950, a group of Danes initiated plans to establish a retirement home for members of their community. The property in Crieff, previously owned by Lieutenant Colonel John Bayne Maclean (1862-1950)—the well-known publisher of Maclean's Magazine—was acquired on June 5, 1955.
This date was also the first Constitution Day celebration held at Sunset Villa, an event that has since become an annual tradition.
Today, Sunset Villa includes The Danish Place restaurant, 10 apartments for seniors, a 60-site RV campground, a party dome, and 50 acres including a pond and trails. The Mindepark urn cemetery was established on December 10, 1990.
Learn More at sunsetvilla.orgVenue Gallery
Experience the beauty of Sunset Villa and the surrounding area
Questions?
Contact the Federation Secretary for registration and conference inquiries
Lisa Olsen
Danish Federation Secretary
lisaolsen2008@gmail.com
416-278-4817 (cell/text)