Syttende Mai Royalty

Since 1969, Stoughton's Syttende Mai festival has crowned a 'Festival King and Queen,' selected based on their community service and dedication to promoting the city’s Norwegian heritage. Nominated by community members, the King and Queen proudly serve as ambassadors for the festival, proudly wearing their bunads, traditional Norwegian costumes, and participating in major events.

The Festival Prince and Princess, chosen from third graders in the Stoughton Area School District, are selected through a random drawing from applications submitted by parents or guardians. These young ambassadors join the King and Queen at various festival activities, such as riding in the Sunday Parade, starting the Lil' Run, and attending the opening dinner.

Together, these ambassadors play an essential role in bringing the spirit and tradition of the Syttende Mai Festival to life, representing the event throughout the week leading up to the celebration.

Referred to as the 'Best Kept Secret' in Stoughton prior to the official announcement, the Festival King and Queen are revealed to the public at the Norse Afternoon of Fun, an event produced by the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers

2025 King & Queen

Troy & Lynn Wieser

2025 Prince & Princess

Dax Sunne-Wipperfurth and Chloe Callan

The Syttende Mai Festival has named Troy and Lynn Wieser as the 2025 King and Queen, bestowing upon them the celebration’s highest honor. As proud representatives of Stoughton's rich Norwegian heritage, they will play a central role in this year’s festivities, embodying the spirit and tradition of Syttende Mai.

Lynn is a lifelong Stoughton resident, and Troy’s family moved to Stoughton in 1971. Both learned the value of Norwegian heritage and hard work growing up before graduating from Stoughton High School. They will celebrate 29 years of marriage in August and are proud parents to a blended family of five children—Matthew Johnson, Sara (Brian) Stensaas, Jason (Margaret) Wieser, Christopher Wieser, and Kassondra Wieser. They are also grandparents to Paige, Norah, Landon, Henrik, Isaak, and Greyson, and are excited to welcome a seventh grandchild in March.

Both deeply cherish their Norwegian heritage, and this past summer, they embarked on a memorable journey to Norway to explore its breathtaking landscapes and rich culture. As they toured the countryside and experienced the cities, they felt a sense of civic pride and connection that reminded them of their own beloved hometown.

Troy and Lynn have owned CMA Accounting in downtown Stoughton for the past 36 years, and through their business, they have donated accounting and tax services to numerous local nonprofit organizations.

Early in his civic career, Troy was heavily involved in fundraising, construction, and the establishment of the Mandt Community Center. He has also served on several boards, including the Stoughton Conservation Club, Stoughton Youth Hockey, Stoughton Health, Shillelagh Foundation, Mandt Community Center, and planning commissions for the city of Stoughton and town of Pleasant Springs. Through his work, he received the Citizen of the Year award from the Shillelagh Foundation and the Community Appreciation Award from the Friends of Norwegian Culture, both in 2018.

Troy has enjoyed working with young people in the community, coaching various youth sports—including hockey, baseball, and football. In 2024, he was honored with the Friend of the Youth Award from the City of Stoughton for his dedication.

After dedicating 36 years to public service, Lynn retired as the Human Resources Director for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. In her retirement, she volunteers with various local organizations like Partners of Stoughton Hospital. She has also embraced traditional Norwegian art, spending the past seven years learning rosemaling through the Wisconsin Rosemaling Association and Sons of Norway. Currently, she is completing the Gudbrandsdal bunad her mother began embroidering over 20 years ago.

The couple was very active in the Stoughton Chamber Ways and Means Committee for eight years, joining other volunteers each year to set up and maintain the Syttende Mai Festival. They are incredibly proud to celebrate Stoughton and its Norwegian heritage with all of you. They are overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to serve and to share the rich traditions that make this community so special.

Joining the Wiesers as Syttende Mai Royalty are Dax Sunne-Wipperfurth (9) and Chloe Callan (8), who will serve as the 2025 Prince and Princess. Both Dax and Chloe are third graders at Sandhill Elementary School.

Past Royalty

The Stoughton Chamber of Commerce is honored to present this list of all Syttende Mai Kings and Queens who have served the community of Stoughton since 1969. We continue to be grateful for their service and dedication.

Nominations for the King and Queen

GUIDELINES & CRITERIA:

• Must be residents within the Stoughton Area School District boundary for an accumulated  minimum of 10 years. 

• Must have contributed significantly to the betterment of Stoughton, either through business, community service, etc.

• Must have the skill set necessary to represent the Syttende Mai Festival and the Chamber of Commerce at speaking engagements, interviews, and other public events.

• Must have willingness and physical ability to devote the time and energy needed to fulfill the duties required of the King and Queen.

• It is not necessary for the King and Queen to be of Norwegian descent, however an understanding and appreciation of the city’s Norwegian heritage and Syttende Mai festival is beneficial.

• It is not necessary for the King and Queen to be a married couple; individuals may be nominated.

• Individuals/couples may not nominate themselves. 

Nominations for the 2025 King and Queen are now closed.

The 2025 Prince and Princess Application is now closed.