Another great Viking Fest. Thank you to all of those who attended — you made it such a success! We hope you had a wonderful time and will return in 2013.
A recent survey of Kitsap residents found that Viking Fest was their favorite area festival! We introduced two new events we will bring back next year: Viking Paddle (a stand-up paddle board race), and Kupcake Krigen, in which bakeries competed to create the best tasting cupcake and the best display. Next year, we will add a murder mystery to be solved by the sleuths among us for prizes. We are open to adding new events, so if you have an idea, please contact us at info@vikingfest.org.
It takes a community to put on a successful festival — the combined support of the organizers, sponsors, city, and local groups. Our sponsors help in many ways; some donate vitally needed funds to put on the festival, others donate goods or services, either free or at reduced cost. Please help us thank our sponsors by letting them know you appreciate what they do:
Liberty Bay Auto, Clearwater Casino, Central Market, AmericanWest Bank, Valley Nursery, Viking Fence, City of Poulsbo, Blue Sky Printing, Peninsula Credit Union, Tizley’s Europub, Skookum Sanitation, Home Depot, Bainbridge Disposal, Bird Electric, DEF Productions, Port of Poulsbo, Poulsbo Sons of Norway Lodge, Agate Pass Transportation, Team Innovative Landscaping, James Lumber, North Kitsap Herald, The Loft Restaurant, Kingston Crossing Chiropractic Clinic, Little Bean Espresso, and Kitsap Towing. Bill Austin donated a large sign to increase Viking Village’s visibility to our visitors.
We greatly appreciate the assistance of the following groups:Washington Youth Academy Cadets helped set up the booth-area infrastructure.
Girls U-17 NK Blast 95 Soccer Team manned barricades on Front Street all weekend to keep the youngsters safe as they went back and forth between the booths and the carnival.
North Kitsap Rotary manned the many barricades necessary to close all traffic on Fjord Drive, Front Street, and Sunset Street during the Parade.
Washington Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron Cadets kept the Waterfront Park and the booth area spic and span all weekend and helped clear the downtown sidewalks after the parade.
Associated Students of Olympic College’s Poulsbo Campus worked in the Information Booth throughout the weekend answering visitors’ questions.
Kingston High School’s Football Team and their coach tore down the booth area infrastructure at the conclusion of Viking Fest.
The crews from the Poulsbo Public Works Department made sure the City looked its best for our visitors. They also staged dozens of signs and barricades all around downtown.
Officers from Poulsbo’s Police Department ensured that everyone enjoyed a safe celebration.
Poulsbo’s Parks and Recreation Department organized and sponsored the Road Race.
EMTs from Poulsbo Fire Department were on hand for the festival to provide emergency care if needed. The department also provided hands-on CPR and defibrillator training.
The participants in Viking Village demonstrated in authentic detail the lives of Vikings from 1,000 years ago in their encampment in Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park.
And, of course, the Viking Fest Corporation volunteers planned, organized and conducted the festival. I am deeply thankful for their steadfast support!
Ron Krell, president
Viking Fest Corporation
