Wendy Harper/MDN Cindy and Joe Junglas, left to right, after saying their vows, walk back up the aisle.

Norsk Hostfest closed on a personal milestone when Joe Junglas and Cindy Semmens were married Saturday, Sept. 27, inside the entrance of Oslo Hall.

About 40 invited guests attended the ceremony, while other festival-goers stopped to watch. Semmens, who is of Norwegian heritage, said the setting felt fitting.

“I just called up the Hostfest office and told them we wanted to get married there, and that is how it started,” said Semmens.

Their relationship began with an online exchange.

“I commented on his hunting picture and it just kind of took off from there,” Semmens said. Junglas said he was impressed to find that Semmens also enjoyed hunting and fishing, a shared interest that helped bring them together.

Semmens worked as a certified nursing assistant for 17-plus years. Junglas, a retired, decorated U.S. Army veteran originally from eastern Pennsylvania, said he valued the open setting.

“Everybody that could walk through could watch our wedding and that’s what I was thrilled about. Everybody that wanted to come see it, could come see it,” he said.

The couple said they believe their wedding may be the first at Norsk Hostfest, though festival officials were unable to verify that history.

The Junglases plan to mark their anniversary each year by returning to the festival in their wedding attire. They also hope others may follow their lead.