POULSBO — The numbers are in for the 2008 Viking Fest celebration, and in more ways than one it’s shaping up to be a record-setting year. Though not all those ways are on the plus side.

Viking Fest board president Ron Krell said funding for the event is running lower than ever before, with about $8,000 of ground to make up still. He and Executive Vice President Kathi Foresee estimate the corporation will barely break even this year, and will have to cancel some scholarships to make that happen.

While scholarships already bestowed will be honored, about $3,000 in additional monies offered in 2007 won’t be offered in 2008. The corporation cut costs where it could during the event, including nixing $10,000 worth of unsponsored fireworks and switching insurance companies to one with lower premiums, Krell said.

Despite their efforts to economize, extra expenses were brought by the carnival’s relocation from Anderson Parkway to the King Olaf parking lot, which rang up an additional estimated $1,000. The decision to move the carnival to King Olaf wasn’t finalized until March, leaving the corporation less time and fewer sponsors with room in their budgets than previous years, according to Krell.

But on the positive end, the weekend was the second-highest grossing one for the carnival in the event’s history. Despite the move, it was the weather, Krell and Foresee believe, that had carnival-goers out in full force.

Also shattering records, Kitsap Transit upped its ridership from last year’s 983 riders to a whopping 3,089. Kitsap Transit site supervisor John Hall also exhibited “heads up thinking,” Krell said, by offering an air-conditioned vehicle to those suffering from heat exhaustion in Anderson Parkway.

Up next for the corporation is a discussion they plan to have with the city and the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association on the continuing topic of carnival location. While last year’s conversation spanned many months and public meetings, this year Krell said he hopes the process is much more abbreviated.

“We’re going to settle this thing in the next month, we’re not going to let this go on like last year,” he said.

While he and Foresee said they still prefer to situate the carnival near the waterfront, there were pros and cons to both options.

Having the carnival in Anderson Parkway minimizes expenses and facilitates full family enjoyment, while moving it to King Olaf keeps the downtown quieter but splits the interests of parents and children, the two said.

They plan to begin 2009 preparations next month.

Already in the works for next year: a parade appearance from the Marine Corps Drill Team, the second annual Iron Chef competition and a karaoke contest held downtown.

Krell said the assistance from the city and business community was integral for the event.