POULSBO — It may not be a Viking long ship, but Lisa Conrad figures Viking Fest attendees might also be impressed with her duo of chainsaw carvers this weekend.
The new owner of Conrad’s, the former Kenny’s Northwest Experience chainsaw carving outlet, is marking her first Norwegian Constitution Day celebration in much the same fashion as her predecessor. The Front Street shop is hosting chainsaw carvers Kurt Halverson and John Joyce, who will be demonstrating their art today and Sunday at various times.
“I feel great,” Conrad said about her first Viking Fest weekend. “We’re anticipating a lot of people.”
Last year, Kenny’s hosted a chainsaw artist who carved a life-sized Viking. After buying the shop earlier this year, Conrad said the former owners urged her to bring back the crowd pleaser for another Viking Fest.
“They’re just left to their own devices to show off what they do,” Conrad explained of the event. “They’re both very good and it should be interesting because John is brand new, he’s 19 and he just started carving, so this will be his first show.”
Whether chainsaw carvers or just a few extra hands on deck, downtown merchants are rolling out the red carpet for festival goers this weekend.
Caron’s Coastal Living on the New Havne Veien Walkway will celebrate its third anniversary next week and owners Pat and Caron Guilfoyle said they’re looking forward to Viking Fest number three.
“It just gets better and better each year, that’s how we view it,” Pat Guilfoyle said. “Our hats go off to the people who organize these things because it’s not an easy thing and we’re glad someone does it.”
That’s not to say they haven’t learned a thing or two from the immense crowds they experience each festival weekend. First and foremost, they’re bringing on extra help for all three days.
“Last year, Pat was the delivery boy,” Caron recalled with a laugh. “He was carrying packages to people’s cars at the top of Hostmark all day long.”
Relative newbie LeAnne Musgrove of Hot Shots Java, right in the middle of Front Street, said she was expecting killer crowds but also looking forward to her first Viking Fest as a downtown business owner. She said some of the experience of her neighbors, as well as advice from her suppliers, has helped her prepare for the weekend.
“I’ve heard order your food and beverages about four times what you normally do,” Musgrove said. “We’re going to be so inundated with people.”
To prepare for larger than normal crowds, the Musgroves are taking out some of their tables and doing away with their usual “stay here” ceramic mugs. They’ll have their entire menu available and will be adding novelty blinking light pins they’re hoping will be popular with festival goers.
With temperatures expected to be in the 70s, the Sons of Norway are also hoping to help some folks cool off while raising some funds for the non-profit heritage organization with a beer garden. From noon to 9:30 p.m. today and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, adults can get a selection of beers at the location on the west side of Grieg Hall. Reubens, cheeseburgers and patty melts straight from the famous Sons of Norway kitchen gang will also be available at the booth today.
Embroidery and T-shirt shop YES/USA has been open for Viking Fest weekends since 1996 but owner Donna Hoskins said the excitement over this year’s event has definitely been mounting more than in the past. The store is one of the few locations carrying both Viking Fest T-shirts and buttons, which are in short supply.
“I’ve been surprised. The design is very popular,” Hoskins commented. “We carry them every year and this year, they’ve definitely been hotcake-ish.”
As for nightlife, the wharf building will be hopping tonight as both the Bayside Broiler and Portside Pub will be hosting live entertainment. Female rock band Femme Fatale will play at the Broiler from 8 p.m. to midnight with a $10 cover charge after 7:30 p.m. Classic rock from perennial favorites The Blems are on the menu at Portside beginning at about 8:30 p.m. tonight. There is no cover.
“Crazy. Insane,” Pub bartender Kris Lowry said of the crowds during typical Viking Fests. “During the afternoons, it’s pretty mellow but in the evening, it gets pretty crowded.”
On Front Street, the Magnolia Cafe (former Gazebo Cafe) will feature the Chester Avenue Jazz Band with Bub Pratt from 7:30-11 p.m. tonight. There is no cover.
