Hostfest grew out of the popular food and craft bazaars organized by the Lutheran churches in North Dakota. Chester Reiten, who would became Hostfest president, and a few of his friends decided to continue the celebration as an annual event. They joined with the local Sons Of Norway chapter and formed a foundation that produced the first annual Norsk Hostfest in October 1978. It included craft displays, music, and food provided by local churches. In fact, the Hostfest's biggest draw was the lutefisk supper.
Food continues to be a huge draw.
Typically each year, Hostfest serves 5,000 lukefish meals and 50,000 slices of lefse. Other food highlights are Finnish stew and layered cake from Iceland. Top entertainers, such as Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Barbara Mandrell, Victor Borge, and Nordic performers, have become a Hostfest tradition, helping to attract a wider audience from other states, Canada, and Nordic countries. The festival has also expanded from one day to five nights and four days. The first Hostfest attracted a few thousands visitors, but by 1991, sixty thousand people came.