POULSBO — Safeway has stepped forward to be the title sponsor of 3rd of July and Viking Fest this year, according to Viking Fest Corp. President Ron Krell. Safeway presented its $25,000 donation at the May 1 City Council meeting.

Krell wrote in an email, “Viking Fest, on behalf of the Poulsbo and North Kitsap communities, wishes to express our gratitude for this very significant donation by Safeway. When a number of area communities are struggling to fund their local celebrations, we are very pleased to have both Poulsbo festivals on a stable foundation.

“We believe it demonstrates, in a concrete way, Safeway’s wish to become a part of, and an asset to, this community even before the construction of the new store has been completed.”