Jill Schramm/MDN Norsk Hostfest Board President John Mackner speaks at a news conference Wednesday regarding the future of this year’s festival.

Norsk Hostfest will go on as scheduled in September but under the management of its board of directors.

Norsk Hostfest Board President John Mackner said it was a mutual decision of the board and EPIC Events to end the management role EPIC provided the previous two years.

“We agreed that it’s mutually beneficial for both parties to go our separate ways, and we feel we’re on a good path,” he said. “We see this as an onward and upward opportunity for the Hostfest, and we’re excited for what this opportunity means for Minot. Our Hostfest board will be more hands-on than ever this year as we work on the planning, promoting and managing the festival. We’re confident it will become a better, more engaged board as a result of this process, and we’ll find the best possible staffing solutions for this year’s event.”

He said employment has been offered to any EPIC Event staff members who live in Minot and wish to continue under the new management.

EPIC Companies, which has offices in West Fargo and Minot, has faced undisclosed financial issues that have impacted many of its ventures, from construction to management. The extent of that impact isn’t fully known, but Mackner said no changes are planned to any of the entertainment and shows already announced for this fall’s Hostfest as a result of the management change.

He added that volunteers are the key piece to carrying on with the festival.

“We have over 8,000 hours that we need to fill,” he said. “Upwards of 600-plus volunteers.”

Mackner said the board is asking people to support Hostfest by filling these volunteer slots. People can sign up on the Hostfest website.

“That’s the best step toward getting in our system and then we can find positions for you to fill as the festival approaches,” he said. “‘Volunteers’ is what makes Hostfest go. That is the heart and soul of Hostfest.”

Mackner declined to talk about Norsk Hostfest’s financial picture.

“We’re a private organization,” he said. “What I can tell you, as a board member, we’ve been working on finding a clear path forward, and that’s something that we are taking seriously and that’s why we’re proceeding as planned.”

Norsk Hostfest still owes $180,000 to the North Dakota State Fair for use of its facilities last year, according to the fair. Mackner said any reconciliation between Hostfest and the fair remains between the two entities.

“We have had numerous conversations with Hostfest, and I know they are working on getting that bill paid and up to current,” Fair Manager Craig Rudland said. He also confirmed Hostfest continues to be scheduled for the State Fair Center this year.

Hostfest is scheduled for Sept. 25-28.

Buying tickets is another way the community can help support Hostfest because ticket sales and corporate sponsorships provide the festival’s financial support, Mackner said.

“The last piece I would say – just trust in the direction, trust in the future of Hostfest. We do have a board that’s very committed to making it work. We’re here for Minot. We’re here for the festival,” he said. “We want to see it continue.”

Norsk Hostfest, a nonprofit organization, is North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, reporting about 25,000 visitors over the course of the four-day event. In addition to authentic Scandinavian cuisine and culture, the event features entertainers such as this year’s headliners, who include comedian Jay Leno, country singer Trace Adkins and multi-genre musician Ryan Bingham.