In Seattle, we celebrate Norway's constitution day on May 17th (17. mai) with a parade featuring area Norwegian clubs, folk dance troups, marching bands, and viking ship floats. The celebration in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, is a mainstay of the area's Norwegian community, and several local groups plan related events, including a lunch at the Ballard Sons of Norway lodge, a book signing at the Norse Home, and free admission to the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard. The parade starts at 6 p.m., but check out the 17th of May website (http://www.17thofmay.org/events.html), Nordic Heritage Museum and Norse Home websites for information on related events. The weather looks like it should be perfect for those wearing their Norwegian bunads (folk costumes)! For those who don't want the fun to end, hop the ferry on over to the Kitsap Peninsula and enjoy Viking Fest this weekend in Poulsbo. This year mark's the festival's 45th year. Poulsbo is known locally as "Little Norway", and provides a beautiful waterfront backdrop to this weekend's events, which include a parade on Saturday afternoon, a luncheon at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge, dancing and singing at the Kveldstad Pavilion along the waterfront, and a lutefisk eating contest on Sunday afternoon. Come over for the day or stay for the weekend! Plan time enough to park just outside of the downtown area and take a convenient shuttle down to the festivities. http://vikingfest.org/ |
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