The Poulsbo Viking Fest

This is NOT a picture of us. The 42nd Annual Viking Fest was held this weekend right here in Poulsbo.  Poulsbo was settled in the 1880's  by large numbers of Norwegian and other Scandinavian immigrants.   Legend has it they were drawn here by the fjord-like landscape similar to that of their homeland.  Downtown Poulsbo maintains a Scandinavian theme and Viking Fest is a celebration of Norway's Constitution Day and commemorates the adoption of Norway's constitution on May 17, 1814.  History aside, it seems to be a great excuse for the locals to don their Viking attire and also for a parade. 

The festival drew a lot of people all weekend, many coming by boat and docking steps away from all the action.

The parade was the highlight of the festival with a spirited display of Nordic pride.

  

Viking Village was set up along the waterfront with lots of, um, interesting sights.

On Sunday, the Lutefisk Eating Contest was held.  Lutefisk is a traditional Norwegian dish of whitefish soaked in lye during preparation.  Soaking in lye gives it a jelly-like consistency.  After the lye soak, it is soaked in cold water for several days to make it edible. 

The official Viking Fest princesses were lucky enough to get to try bite of it before the contest.  Two of them were decidedly not crazy about it.

Then the contest started.  Six contestants were each given 2 pounds of it.  They seemed like a brave bunch to me.

The competition was intense.

And we had a winner!

In case you are wondering, no, we have never tried lutefisk.  And don't intend to either.