Uff Da — It’s Viking Fest
Across the water from Seattle, you’ll find the city of Poulsbo, a relatively small town with a large reputation as a destination for Scandinavia immigrants. The downtown area maintains Scandinavian-themed buildings and facades for the restaurants and stores, and as you walk through town you’ll hear Scandinavian accents from people around you.
This proud community celebrates Norway’s Constitution Day (May 17th) with its annual Viking Fest, this year held on May 18-20th. In Norway, this holiday is celebrated with a festival of flags, several parades, and traditional Norwegian costumes. The celebrating starts in the wee hours of the morning and continues until the very late hours of the night, as family and friends celebrate with traditional food and drink, and merrymaking.
In Poulsbo, Viking Fest commemorates this important holiday with similar events, lots of food and drink, traditional costumes and a parade. Some of the events are typical to what you’d see at any community festival, and some are uniquely Norwegian. Check out the full schedule of events for details. This is a family friendly event.
One of my favorite stops on any visit to Poulsbo is to the Poulsbo Bakery on Main Street. Take a look in the window and just try to walk by it — I dare you! Those delicious looking baked goods, and the yeasty smells coming out the door, force me to walk in and buy something. The cinnamon rolls have always been one of my favorite, as have the maple bars. Mmmmmmmmm! The Bakery also made the orginal Poulsbo Bread, now marketed nationally.
Location: Downtown Poulso, a ferry ride away from Seattle. Directions here.
Date & Time: May 18-20th. Friday events start at 4 pm, and conclude with fireworks at 10 pm. Saturday events run 7 am - 10 pm. Sunday events start at 7 am, with Viking Fest concluding at 4 pm.
Admission: Most events are free.
SPECIAL TIPS to sound like a local:
Poulsbo is pronounced: Pauls - bo. Any other pronunciation clearly labels you as a tourist.
Uff Da is pronounced two ways, the difference is in the “Uff.” You can say it as in “book” or as in “poof.” I tend toward the latter. The expression basicaly means “I’m overwhelmed,” and is also frequently used to express surprise or amazement. You’ll frequently hear the expression accompanied by a sigh.
Yes, people really do wear those silly Viking helmets.
Photo credit: flickr
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Tags: b5media, family travel, festivals, food & beverage, outdoor activities, Seattle, Seattle tourism, Seattle Traveler, The Seattle Traveler, travel, travel tips, traveling with kids, vacation, Washington, Washington State, Poulsbo, Viking Fest
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POSTED IN: Events, Family Fun, People - Interesting Local People, People Watching, Sound Like a Local - Local "speak"
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1 opinion for Uff Da — It’s Viking Fest
The San Diego Beat » Carnival of Cities - Roam Around the World
May 14, 2007 at 2:57 am
[…] with the trip. Mary Jo Manzanares presents Uff Da — It’s Viking Fest posted at The Seattle Traveler. She says, “Everyone can be a Viking for a […]
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