TYLER — One of the best things about Tyler’s Aebleskiver Days is how it brings people together, Diane Borresen said. The festival’s focus on Danish food and traditions has turned out to have a strong draw.

“It’s the Danish community we have here,” Borresen said. Visitors have come to Tyler from around the country, and even from as far away as Denmark. “I love it all. I love how the community participates, and I love seeing the community grow.”

Borresen is part of the Tyler Area Community Club, and has been part of the Aebleskiver Days organizing committee for several years.

“We have a great committee,” she said.

Aebleskiver Days is always held the fourth weekend in July in Tyler, Borresen said. The festival takes its name from the ball-shaped Danish pancakes called aebleskiver. While visitors can try some aebleskiver during the festival, organizers have also worked to add a variety of entertainment and activities.

“Every year it’s gotten bigger,” Borresen said. One big addition to the festival in recent years was a vendor show. Borresen said this year organizers also hope to bring in features like new live music acts, food trucks, and kids’ attractions like a petting zoo.

Aebleskiver Days has a long history in Tyler, Borresen said. In the 1960s, the festival brought the community and local businesses together on Main Street. Over time, the festival expanded into more events, and drew big crowds.

“It just brought everyone home,” Borresen said. “People would put it on their calendars a year ahead of time.”

Borresen, who grew up in Tyler, was part of the Aebleskiver Days festivities in a unique way one year.

“In 1971, I was the Aebleskiver Queen,” she said. As part of the queen pageant, competitors had to have a sponsor, share a talent, and complete an interview. Borresen played a trumpet solo for her talent. “It was something I’ll never forget,” she said.

Later on, Borresen was also part of the group that organized the Junior Miss scholarship program every year at Aebleskiver Days.

“It was a huge commitment. People used to pack the gym at the high school,” she said. While the scholarship program ended about 10 years ago, Borresen said she had good memories of meeting all the girls who participated.

Borresen said Aebleskiver Days has seen a resurgence of growth over the past few years. The addition of a vendor show about six years ago brought some new excitement. The show grew to include more than 70 vendors, and filled up buildings at the Lincoln County fairgrounds in Tyler, she said.

Borresen said organizers are always trying to find new ideas for festival events. One idea that was successful in 2024 was an aebleskiver signature baking contest. Participants created an array of their own sweet and savory twists on aebleskiver, for judges to taste.

“We’re going to try and do that again. Everyone had so much fun with it,” Borresen said.

Aebleskiver Days committee members put in months of work to help organize the festival, Borresen said. “We start planning in January,” she said. “They are fabulous with ideas,” she said.

In addition to planning out events and entertainment, Borresen and other committee members have even worked to promote the festival.

She said she and her friend Mona Christianson have even taken batches of aebleskiver out to campers at Lincoln County parks, to encourage people to come to Aebleskiver Days.

Although planning for Aebleskiver Days takes a lot of work, Borresen said she has fun with it.

“As long as I feel good, I’m going to do it,” she said. “I’m not a sitter.”