The fourth annual festival, to be held at the Crow Wing County fairgrounds in Brainerd, MN. strives to be authentic to the Viking Age with the slogan, “Real Vikings. No Horns.” The festival is again sponsored by Sagatun Lodge, Sons of Norway and Amber Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood. New this year: an interactive rune workshop and additional Viking horse breeds. A 19-foot replica Viking faering,( a 6-oared boat) will again be on display.
The festival features costumed Vikings demonstrating crafts (weaving, carving, blacksmithing, etc.) using replica tools, family-friendly battle demonstrations, skalds (Viking storytellers) recounting stories from Norse mythology, and a Völva (staff-carrying woman) playing bone and willow flutes. Those attending the festival will be able to try their hand at archery or play the Viking game, Kubb, as well as view Icelandic sheep, miniature cattle, and both Fjord and Icelandic horses.
A variety of food will be available onsite. As an added delight, the local Danish Sisterhood will be making and selling aebleskiver, a puffy, sphere-shaped pancake topped with powdered sugar.