Grand Marshal - Victoria Hofmo
This year’s Grand Marshal, Victoria Hofmo was born and raised in Bay Ridge,
Brooklyn, to Norwegian paternal grandparents and Swedish/Danish maternal great-
grandparents. Here she attended Lutheran Elementary School and Adelphi Academy.
She was chosen to be this year’s Grand Marshal due to her ongoing role as the
Founder and President of the Scandinavian East Coast Museum.
After doing an independent project, as a Sarah Lawrence College undergraduate, about
the Norwegian community in Bay Ridge, she realized how difficult it was to do research
and how vulnerable the records and history were. This stayed with her and she began
looking for a place to house the archives, artifacts and history of the Norwegians who
settled in the Brooklyn and greater New York area. Unable to find a location, she
pivoted and decided to curate an exhibit, the first exhibition ever about the Brooklyn
Norwegian community. It was entitled, Det Norske Amerika and Its Contributions and
held at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in 1992. When the exhibit ended folks began
to donate artifacts they had loaned and thus the Norwegian American Collection was
formed.
Eventually, the organization was expanded to include all of the Scandinavian
immigrants who settled on the East Coast of the U.S., with Brooklyn at its core, with the
main mission of the SECM to: share, preserve, document and educate others about the
Scandinavian culture and history of Bay Ridge, New York and the East Coast with the
greater community, as well as to ensure that their contributions are credited and
known. As SECM President she maintains a collection of archives & artifacts, works
with researchers, provides historic Walking Tours (for Historic Districts Council and
CUNY’s Diverse CITY cable program) and serves as a liaison for the Scandinavian
community with local elected officials and other cultural organizations. She worked to
create a Sister Communities Agreement between Farsund Kommune and Brooklyn with
our former local Councilman.
Other projects have included: organizing concerts for visiting Scandinavian artists and
lectures for scholars and writers. One fun program featured the Captain and crew of the
Viking replica ship Draken Harald Hårfagre.
In this all volunteer organization, Ms. Hofmo continues to offer the following annual
events: Fastelavn (a Danish Mardi Gras), a Day of Remembrance to honor the
Norwegian War Sailors, a Viking Fest, an Essay Contest for students from the 6th - 8th
Grades in the NYC area, a Host Fest sharing Autumn traditions found throughout the
Scandinavian countries and a Santa Lucia Children’s Festival
Victoria also has an interest in architectural and community preservation and founded
the Bay Ridge Conservancy. More recently she founded BRACA (Bay Ridge Arts &
Cultural Alliance) and created Bay Ridge’s annual Embrace Winter Festival and Art
Walk. She also serves on the Board of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Lutheran
Elementary School and the Historic Districts Councils.
Ms. Hofmo was a freelance journalist for the Norwegian American newspaper (the
former Nordisk Tidende) for decades and has contributed over 100 articles. You can
read her essay on the 17th of May Parade’s website, Norwegian History Begins in
New Amsterdam. There is a small display about this subject at Cosentino’s at 6922
Third Avenue, Brooklyn through the end of May.
Grand Marshal -Lars Nilsen
Lars Nilsen was born in New York City to Norwegian parents, grew up in Bay Ridge,
Brooklyn. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and earned a Bachelor
of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute of
Technology in 1960. His career began at Boeing in Seattle, followed by a position in
their Vertol Helicopter Division in Pennsylvania.
Lars spent nine years at the Grumman Corp. in Bethpage, NY, contributing to the
Apollo Program as a group leader for the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM), specifically
overseeing the Descent Engine. Later, he transitioned to finance, serving as an
Investment Adviser for 45 years at Paine Webber and Morgan Stanley.
His 60-plus year involvement with the American Scandinavian Foundation and the
American Scandinavian Society of New York has been deeply fulfilling, especially
alongside his Swedish wife, Harriet. Additionally, he plays an active role in the
Norwegian Immigration Association (NIA), founded by Rigmor Swensen and friends,
where he serves as Co-Chair and historian. Lars is a widower and has a daughter
named Ingrid.
Civic Honorary Marshal - Eivind Harum
This year’s Civic Honorary Marshall is an actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director and
writer. Eivind Harum who was born on 24 May 1944 in Stavanger, Norway came to the U.S.
first living in Harlem for 6 months then moved to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn at 5 years old. “Because
there was a Norwegian community there, we felt kinship there.”
When his parents divorced, he returned to Norway until he was 10. As a young child in
Brooklyn kids made fun of his accent and name so he changed it to Tim for the next 14 years.
Living here in the 1950’s there were many gang wars and credits dance for giving him a
positive alternative lifestyle. He attended the New York City High School of Performing Arts
and later became a member of the Harkness Ballet, Norman Walker, Martha Graham, and
Alvin Ailey dance companies in NYC.
Actors (L-R) Tommy Aguilar, Jane Summerhays, Sandy Roveta, Eivind Harum, Loida Iglesias & Mitzi Hamilton in a scene fr. the Toronto/London productions of the musical
"A Chorus Line." (Toronto) NY Public Library Digital Collection
One of his noteworthy roles was in the incomparable, A Chorus Line, playing the lead role as
“Zack”- the director in its 1976 London run followed by the Broadway Shubert theatre run
receiving the coveted Drama Desk Award in 1977. When asked, “How do you feel A Chorus
Line affected your life?” “He responded, Incredible!”
Eivind Harum with Lauren Bacall in Woman of the Year
Among the many Broadway shows such as West Side Story (Lincoln Center), Grand Hotel, he
starred in Women of the Year, 1981 with Lauren Bacall. Later, he continued to hone his craft
as a member of the River Arts Repertory. Included in his many TV shows he starred in the
1985 television series The Equalizer.
He later served as Director at Scandinavian College in New York, which closed its doors in
2014.
He is married to Sharon Cuff.
A short interview on YouTube called Broadway “A Chorus Line” Leading Man Eivind Harum”
gives us a peek into his early life from his houseboat on the Hudson River. Broadway "A Chorus Line"
Leading Man Eivind Harum ...www.youtube.com › watch
In the film the interviewer asks him, “Has being Norwegian been an asset or a hindrance in
your career?” He laughs, “Being Norwegian - I think that’s an asset because it seems that
most of the people in the world have respect for Norwegians.” “They trust them.” “They’re
good people.” “They’re clean people”. “They love clean here in America.” “It’s been an asset.”
“They have a good reputation.” “I don’t know if I’ve fostered that reputation at all, but I know
that Norwegians are highly respected in this country.”
When asked, “What’s driven you?” He ponders, “Love.” “The need for love…” “The need for
that audience to applaud.” … “But then, you start thinking - what is it about?” “Maybe it’s
about the work, the craft and you go into finally discovering that you’re an artist.”
1970 film, Song of Norway
Additionally, he played alongside with dear friend Toralv Maurstad & Florence Henderson
playing “Freddie the Fiddler” in the 1970 film, Song of Norway, which now can be seen on
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwIRjOAd1KA
Here he is watching the Norwegian Day Parade in Brooklyn in 2012.
On being an immigrant to the U.S. he explains, “When you’re an immigrant in this country, it is
the land of opportunity.” “It just takes hard work.” “Everything is still here.” “You can make
anything out of yourself in this country.” “It’s a wonderful country!”
He also reveals what he enjoys. “I have a great need for nature to rejuvenate my juices, my
creative juices.” “And I have a great need for the neurotic stimuli I receive in Manhattan.”
“There is no other place in the world like it, where you pick up through the airwaves so many
ideas, meet so many wonderful crazy people”. “There comes a time … when it is too much.”
“The electricity is too much.”.... “The water somehow softens it”
*All quotes are from his YouTube interview from the 1970s.”
In closing his greatest accomplishments, he says are his children Victoria, Leif and Sonya and
his 4 grandchildren, Liam, Ragnar, Freya and Max.
Church Honorary Marshal - Geir Øy
Geir Øy is a Norwegian pastor currently serving at the Norwegian Seamen's Church in New York, a position he has held for nearly four years. As Senior Pastor, he leads the church’s activities and outreach to the Norwegian community across the tri-state area and the greater Northeastern USA. He actively works to maintain the church as a social, cultural, and spiritual gathering place for Norwegians, Norwegian Americans, and others with an interest in Norway.
Before moving to New York, Pastor Øy served as a parish priest in Norway, working in Jørpeland and Knarvik, smaller cities outside Stavanger and Bergen on the west coast. He also spent three years as the general manager of a refugee center.
Beyond his pastoral work, Pastor Øy has a strong passion for cultural activities and outdoor sports. He enjoys backcountry skiing in the winter and biking, hiking, and kayaking in the summer. He is currently a member of Downtown Voices at Trinity Church on Broadway. Back in Norway he has performed solo shows reciting Norwegian poetry.
Geir Øy is married to Hilde, who actively volunteers in the church’s activities. They have an adult son, Martin, who lives in Oslo, Norway.
In August 2025, Hilde and Geir will conclude their assignment in New York and relocate to London. Together with Hilde, who will serve as a diaconal worker, they will continue their ministry at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in London for another three to five years.
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