History

The Swedish smorgasbord is an annual tradition in Wausa. Even after 60 years it is still a popular attraction. It started in 1948 when two members of the Methodist WSCS (Women's Society of Christian Service) started the smorgasbord idea as a money-making project for the church. The WSCS had less than 25 members, and yet these ladies alone cooked enough food to feed over 700 people for the first smorgasbord. From this point on Smorgasbord took off.

In 1952 about 1,000 people attended the smorgasbord. The WSCS ladies were concerned that despite bountiful preparations supplies were running short for the later dinner guests. They also worried about the long wait which had to be endured by those attending. In 1953 they vowed to cook even more food, the first numbering system was started to alleviate the waiting time. In 1954 the men started helping in the dining room for the first time. The men agreed to wear white aprons and hats but balked at the idea of swedish costumes, which all the women wore. In 1957 it was announced that ticket sales would be limited to 800 to make it possible to have speedier and more delectable service. In 1959 the WSCS was named as co-sponsor of the event along side the entire church. The job of producing such amazing quantities of food and then cleaning up became too large a task. After the serving was completed everyone had to help wash dishes (by hand, of course) a job often lasting until after midnight.

The last record of a Methodist smorgasbord was in October of 1962. Wausa went 8 years without having the joyful smorgasbord, then, in 1968 the community obtained the plans and many of the decorations from the church. Much of the serving style, reservation system, and menu are relatively unchanged yet today.

The 1980 smorgasbord was a complete success, serving 175 lbs. of ham; 225 lbs. of meat balls; 170 lbs. of of potato bologna; 125 lbs of herring; 40 lbs of head cheese; 37 lbs. of Rulle Polsa, 12 lbs. Souse; 50 lbs. of assorted cold cuts; 39 gals. ost-kaka; 90 lbs. of potato salad; 180 lbs. scalloped potatoes; 22 lbs. Swedish brown beans; 10 gals. baked beans; 30 lbs. of rice pudding; 48 dozen deviled eggs; 16 gals. fruit soup, and 26 lbs. of coffee.

In 1985 a crowd of 797 people were fed coming to the village of Wausa from 11 different states. The states included Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Texas. Of the 797 diners, 682 were guests and 115 were workers.

As of 2001, the Wausa Chapter of FBLA has been a major asset to the Wausa Smorgasbord. Providing on average 45 chapter members to help carry trays, serve drinks, wash dishes, and clean-up.

On October 27, 2007 the Wausa Smorgasbord served 936 guests not including the servers.

For more Wausa and Smorgasbord history visit the Wausa Website.

All information was gathered from previous years of the Wausa Gazette.