Celebration of the 17th of May in Carderock Park May 16th, started with welcome by Rune Resaland, Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission, The Royal Norwegian Embassy and continued with singing of the Norwegian and American national anthems. The 17th of May speech was presented by the Minister of Defense Kirsten Krohn Devold who thanked the organizers and sponsors of the event. In her speech she focused on the importance of the small things when celebrating 17th of May in Norway where kids are in focus, the King who greets the children's parade from his palace, and the day for the kids to eat hot dogs and ice cream. This was the first year she celebrated a 17th of May outside Norway and she was happy that it was in Washington D.C. In her speech she mentioned the important role played by the U.S. in world politics, the extension of the European Union that now includes 25 countries, the 60 anniversary of the invasion in Normandy, the Marshall aid, the end of the cold war, and the importance of good trans-Atlantic relations.

The 17th of May celebration and the scene at the Carderock Park was typical for a Norwegian local community, and as such the event could have taken place anywhere in Norway if it wasn't for the 30C and the Cicadas (a large insect that appears only once every 17th year). The event included the 17th of May parade (that was longer than previous years), kid games, and a picnic lunch with free hot dogs, ice creams and sodas for kids of all ages.