However, the cold weather wasn't putting a dampener on the celebrations for 98-year-old Monnie Hansen who grew up in Norsewood and now lives in Palmerston North.
"I come to constitution day regularly and I'll soon be 99, so I'm getting a little bit old," she said. "It's an important Scandinavian day, but I think the way things are going my children won't be so connected and I'm Danish and we're wearing out."
Monnie was wearing her grandmother's apron and her husband's hat with pride.
Special guests were Graeme Mitchell, the honorary Norwegian Consul General and his wife Judi. Mr Mitchell reminded visitors it was the 201st celebration of the commemoration of the signing of the Norwegian constitution and for the Norsewood event to co-incide with the actual day of the signing, May 17 was special.
"We must remember the settlers who came here and the challenges they faced," he said. "I think John (Ellison) and his committee do an important job in making sure we remember our settlers, their culture and the legacy they left behind here in Norsewood."
At the church service in St David's Presbyterian Church, the reverend Ian Bayliss said one of the strengths of the Scandinavian culture has been the ability to work with others.
"It's a good attribute," he said.
As flowers were placed on the memorial under the oak tree, Mr Ellison said the oak remains a silent witness to the courage of those who came and conquered the forests around Norsewood.
"Labour overcomes everything," he said. "But we must also remember the thousands of settlers who came in the five years after the arrival of the Hovding (sailing ship). They all faced many challenges."
After church, parade and the laying of a wreath, visitors toured the Museum before enjoying the Scandi market day, lunch and dancing in Hovding Hall.