Viking Fest returns to Poulsbo this weekend, bringing the donuts and lutefisk as well

Ava Manning, Kitsap Sun
·2 min read
10-year-old Johnny Lepe, of the Poulsbo Elementary School Unicycle Team, gets a Norway flag painted on his face prior to the start if the 55th annual Poulsbo Viking Fest parade on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
10-year-old Johnny Lepe, of the Poulsbo Elementary School Unicycle Team, gets a Norway flag painted on his face prior to the start if the 55th annual Poulsbo Viking Fest parade on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Soon to be filled with Liekarringen dancers, Vikings and an abundance of Norwegian tradition, Poulsbo is once again preparing to overflow with Nordic culture and celebration, for the 56th annual Viking Fest this weekend.

This year's Viking Fest, which opens Friday, May 17 and runs through Sunday, will bring back beloved traditions like a doughnut eating contest and lutefisk eating contest, two events that have been absent since 2020 due to Covid protocols. In addition to these cherished classics, a second annual "strongman competition" organized by Dungeon Fitness will be held to see who has the most mettle on Sunday morning.

Festivities will kick off on Friday afternoon with food and craft booths set up at Waterfront Park on the shores of Liberty Bay. At 4 p.m. the carnival starts in the nearby King Olaf parking lot of Front Street, while the park’s Austin-Kvelsted Pavilion will be brought to life with dancing and live music.

Saturday opens with a pancake breakfast and a road race, where runners have the option of a 5-mile course or a 1-mile course, starting from the Hostmark Community Center, or kids dashes near the finish line on Front Street at 10:15 a.m. Then there's time to wander through the carnival and booths before spectators grab a spot on Front Street or Fjord Street for a prime view of the Viking Fest Parade, which starts at 2 p.m.

"(The Viking Fest Parade) will be a culmination of 75 floats, local bands, schools, and organizations that come to show off their pride. It’s very neat... because it’s a huge display of all the local groups in the region,” said Lin Hino, special events coordinator for the City of Poulsbo.

The North Kitsap Marching Band makes their way down Front street during the 55th annual Viking Fest parade through downtown Poulsbo on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
The North Kitsap Marching Band makes their way down Front street during the 55th annual Viking Fest parade through downtown Poulsbo on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Following the parade will be more live music from the pavilion, followed by a street dance on Front Street from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday's events at the park will include the doughnut-eating contest at 10 a.m. and lutefisk-eating contest at noon, the strongman competition's various weight-lifting and carrying events from 10 a.m. until 3, and more live music until 5 p.m.

Parking will be available at North Kitsap High School, at Hostmark Street and Caldart Avenue, or at Gateway Church on Hostmark just west of Highway 305. There will be shuttle service from both sites to Front Street for $3. A few handicapped spots will be available, but downtown lots will be closed for the weekend.

Visit vikingfest.org to see a full schedule, specific road closures and sign-ups for events.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Viking Fest 2024 in Poulsbo opens Friday and runs through Sunday