Bjorn Berge remembers taking part in national day festivities in Norway as a boy and now miles away from his homeland the father of four wants to ensure his children share in the annual tradition.
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"What we have in Norway is not what you'd see in other countries," he said.
"Everyone wears traditional Norwegian dress [Bunad], walks in the parades and waves flags. National days in other countries are often connected to military parades and tend to be more about adults, but in Norway what we do is all for the kids."
In keeping with tradition, Canberra's Norwegian community parade to The National Rose Gardens and after speeches and formalities spend the afternoon playing games, eating hot dogs and ice-cream.
"It's exactly like being at home, with less people because there are so few of us in Canberra, but the atmosphere of the day is the same," Mr Berge said.
"Other than in Norway its spring and the beginning of summer, we follow the traditional recipe."
Lisa Havn has spent two years in Canberra and said while there was fewer than 100 Norwegians in the ACT, the community was tight-knit.
"It's the one day each year that draws all the Norwegians out of the woodwork," she said. "In Norway if you've never met someone in your area before you will on May 17.
"The events in Sydney and Brisbane are a lot bigger, but what I love about Canberra's celebration is it's like at home, everyone comes out to sit and chat and eat."
