MINOT (AP) - This year's Norsk Hostfest will feature a tribute to the late Myron Floren and a visit by a Norwegian princess.

Floren, the renowned accordion player who entertained generations of TV viewers on "The Lawrence Welk Show," died of cancer in July at the age of 85.

"Myron was really the first big entertainer we had here, and he helped start Hostfest," said Chester Reiten, president of the city's annual Scandinavian heritage festival. "He really liked coming to Minot because he said he was always treated so very well. He was nationally known and played familiar music that I call music of the prairies."

The Hostfest, which runs Tuesday through Saturday, will stage two memorial concerts in Floren's honor each day. Bobby Burgess, Floren's son-in-law, will host the tributes.

This year's Hostfest also will feature an appearance by Norway Princess Martha Louise. It will be the first visit to the Hostfest by a member of the Norwegian royal family since Louise's aunt, Princess Astrid, came in 1983.

Louise is the daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. She will do readings from her book "Why Kings and Queens Don't Wear Crowns." The book is based on the experiences of her grandfather, King Olav V.

Louise will do readings and sign autographs in an area replicated from illustrations in her book.

"I think it is something that will stand out, and people will see from afar and be curious enough to check it out," said Robert Field, a local artist who is working on the set.

"The Norsk Hostfest has always had very good relationships with the Norwegian royal family, and they enjoy coming here," Reiten said. "North Dakota has more Norwegians per capita than any other state in the nation, and I hope a lot of people stop and buy her book."

Knut Vollebaek, Norway's ambassador to the United States, also is expected to attend the Hostfest.

Separately, the University of North Dakota is sponsoring a Norwegian heritage conference Monday and Tuesday at the Grand Forks Ramada Inn. Organizers say it will bring together heritage experts, genealogists and others.