POULSBO — The 2011 Viking Fest Parade wowed thousands of spectators who crowded the streets for the event, which featured nearly 90 entries Saturday. 

Miss Washington Jacquie Brown, third runner-up for Miss America 2011, was grand marshal. True to the heritage of Little Norway, she’ll sample some lutefisk as a prelude to the annual Lutefisk Eating Contest on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Poulsbo Noon Lions Club’s 39th annual Pancake Breakfast continues Sunday at the new City Hall, with proceeds benefitting the club’s North Kitsap High School Scholarship Fund. The Lutefisk Eating Contest is at 2 p.m., followed by the Oyster Eating Contest at 2:30.

Viking Fest also honors the First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo’s 125th anniversary Sunday; traditional services will be followed by a special service with the Vestre Sund Mannskor, or Norwegian chorus.

Viking Fest is held each year to celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day; the constitution, adopted May 17, 1814, was a national symbol in the struggle for Norwegian independence, which was achieved in 1905 and severely tested in World War II. Poulsbo’s early non-indigenous population was composed largely of Norwegians who came here on a wave of entrepreneurism; they were followed by fellow expatriates seeking refuge from a Europe torn asunder by war.

Viking Fest began Friday at 4 p.m. with opening ceremonies at Kvelstad Pavilion, at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. Continuing Sunday: Food and craft booths on Anderson Parkway, the carnival at King Olav Parking Lot, entertainment at Kvelstad Pavilion, and Viking Village at Waterfront Park. The booths close and entertainment ends at 4 p.m.; the carnival closes at 6 p.m.

Among the rides at the carnival: Bumper cars, Paratrooper, Sky Master, Strawberry-Go-Round, Super Slide, Tilt-a-Whirl, Twizzler, the Zipper, and an array of children’s rides. Ride tickets are $1 each, 20 for $18, 30 for $27. Wristbands are $25, good from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 4-9 p.m. — you choose your session of unlimited carnival rides.

Viking Fest Corporation President Ron Krell said he expected 30,000 to 40,000 visitors over the weekend; that number includes return visitors each day. Viking Fest will cost about $20,000 to produce; any profits support scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

There are two parking options:

Motorists with disability placards can park at the Edward Jones Investment Offices, 19032 Jensen Way NE, or across the street in front of the old city hall on Jensen Way.

Agate Pass Transportation will provide shuttle bus service between downtown and North Kitsap High School, Poulsbo Middle School and Poulsbo Elementary School.

Shuttles will run continuously from 4-10:30 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Roundtrip fare: $2 per person. Children 5 and younger will ride for free.

“Cars trying vainly to find a space clog the streets and block the access of emergency vehicles. Shuttle buses decrease that congestion and relieve the driver’s stress and aggravation while seeking a non-existent parking space,” Krell said. “There is no charge to park in the school lots, however, you can also park a bit closer to downtown in Christ Memorial Church’s parking lot or in the First Lutheran Church’s parking lot on Friday and Saturday only, for a modest charge. So, please park at the school lots and relax as the buses speed you downtown without the hassle.”

Viking Fest’s sponsors: Valley Nursery, Inc., Central Market, Blue Sky Printing, Envy Bar and Grill, Viking Bank, Team Innovative Services, Clearwater Casino Resort, Tizley’s Europub, James Lumber, Hill Moving, North Kitsap Herald, The Loft, Kitsap Towing, MD Electronics.

43rd annual Viking Fest schedule:

May 22

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 39th annual Poulsbo Noon Lions’ Pancake Breakfast, at the new City Hall. All funds benefit the Lions’ North Kitsap High School Scholarship Fund

8 a.m.: Sunday Services at First Lutheran Church of Poulsbo (big white church on hill above Poulsbo), celebrating the 125th anniversary of the historic Norwegian congregation — 8 a.m., traditional service; 9 a.m., contemporary service; 11 a.m., traditional service including Vestre Sund Mannskor (Norwegian Chorus).

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Food/Craft Booths open on Anderson Parkway; carnival open at King Olav Parking Lot until 5:30 p.m.; entertainment at Kvelstad Pavilion; Viking Village open in Waterfront Park.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Sons of Norway Lodge No. 44 Video Presentations: “Greetings from Norway” (PBS series). Free admission. Noon, “Stave Churches” (Old Wooden Norwegian Churches), “Norge Norge” (Photo Portraits of Norway); 1 p.m., “Nordkapp” (Northernmost Town in Norway), “Alesund” (Famous West Coast Seaport); 2-3:30 p.m., “Magic Silver” (Norwegian children’s film with English subtitles)

Entertainment at Kvelstad Pavilion

10:30 a.m.: Poulsbo Elementary School Marimba Group

11 a.m.: Scoil Rince Slieveloughane (Hillside Lake Irish dancers)

11:45 a.m to 12:15 p.m.: Jewel Box Theater’s Poulsbo Players present stories and showtunes, a preview of “Grey Gardens, the Musical,” and professional storyteller Kathy Currie.

12:15-12:45 p.m.: Samara Dancers

1-1:45 p.m.: Heels of Thunder Tap/Clogging

2 p.m.: Annual Lutefisk Eating Contest. Sign up at information booth before noon on Sunday, $10 entry fee, limited to 12 contestants, 18 years and older.

2:30 p.m.: Oyster Eating Contest. Sign up at The Loft Restaurant.

3:15-4 p.m.: KCMT’s Rising Stars & Ignite!, performing musical numbers from their most recent shows “101 Dalmatians” and “Oklahoma!”

4 p.m.: Booths and Entertainment Close

6 p.m.: Carnival Closes

Events located at: Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, Anderson Parkway, and King Olav Parking Lot, Downtown Poulsbo.