Tomorrow, summer will officially be upon us, according to the Gregorian calendar. But Saturday night, inline with centuries of tradition, Poulsbo will be kicking off its celebration Scandinavian style on the waterfront.

As the maistang rises, the Sons of Norway Leikarringen kids will lead the dance into Midsummer Fest.

The raising of the maistang — a Midsummer pole, much like a May Pole — and the fair which follows serves as both a religious memorial to John the Baptist as well as a marking of the summer solstice, Poulsbo Sons of Norway cultural director Grace Overby said.

Annually Poulsbo’s festivities — sponsored this year by the Sons and the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association — bring out the Scandinavian in people whether it’s their actual heritage or not.

It all kicks off at 4 p.m. June 24 on the waterfront at Liberty Bay Park, free of charge.

“It’s so fun when we see (the maistang) go up,” said Sons’ social director Joanne Graves, who helps Lisa Moseng lead the Leikarringen dancers. “Then to watch the dancers led by the musicians in the procession … I feel like I’m in Norway, it’s a really wonderful thing, it has such a Scandinavian feel.”

There should be a smorgasbord of Scandinavian flair around to signal the summer solstice.

Following the introductory dancing and singing about the maistang and separate performances from the Leikarringen (youth) and Bygdedanser (adult) folk dancers, dancing will continue to live music from Nordleik — a Norwegian-style folk trio with Jane Landstra on violin and hardanger violin, Ken Embrey on guitar and David Denz on cittern and wooden flute — from 6-7 p.m.

Also starting at 6 p.m. will be a slate of traditional kids games (sack races, tug-o’-war, balance beam, etc.) the famed Sons of Norway Vikings’ fish toss, and more.

“Viking Village (on the waterfront) will have several tents demonstrating life in Viking times,” Overby said. “Sons of Norway members will also give demonstrations of traditional Norwegian crafts.”

On the afternoon, one could find themselves learning one or more of the Norwegian trades of rosemaling, woodcarving, wreath making, weaving or knitting and then sampling traditional Scandinavian dishes like rommegrat, lefse and more inside the Sons Hall.

And for those whose taste buds are traditionally American, hot dogs and ice cream will also be available.

Then, at 7 p.m., the Sons Vikings will begin a torchlight processional — the culmination of the celebration. The Vikings will bring the torch ashore and ignite the waterfront bonfire, providing the setting for the midsummer proclamation by lead Viking Brian Davis.

“To me, it says, ‘Summer is here!’” Graves noted of the evening. “Things are growing, the sun is shining, let’s get out and celebrate, sing and dance.”

Fittingly, even more singing and dancing will follow the proclamation and on into the night.