POULSBO — The 36th annual Viking Fest kicks off Friday, bringing with it food and fun with the distinctive Scandinavian flair that Little Norway is known for.

The festivities start at 4 p.m. Friday at Kvelstad Pavilion at Waterfront Park. Local dignitaries like Miss Poulsbo Canon Henness, Miss Viking Fest Lauren Hoffman and Mayor Donna Jean Bruce are expected to be among those present at the opening ceremonies. The Poulsbo Sons of Norway’s own Vestre Sund Mannskor will sing the American and Norwegian national anthems.

The Syttende Mai (Norwegian Constitution Day) fireworks are back this year and will take place at 10 p.m. Friday night above Liberty Bay. The best viewing spot will undoubtedly be Anderson Parkway and Waterfront Park and activities like the carnival, food booths and live entertainment sponsored by Sprint will keep crowds occupied while waiting for the big booms.

The carnival, food booths and community booths will be open on Anderson Parkway the entire weekend and Kvelstad Pavilion will host an ongoing schedule of live entertainment all three days.

The biggest day of the weekend is most certainly Saturday, which begins early, with the Lions Pancake Breakfast opening its doors at 7 a.m. at the Poulsbo Armory and registration for the Viking Road Race at Lions Park at 7:30 a.m. Other Saturday highlights include: the 4th Annual Viking Fest Show and Shine Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ the King Academy; the 36th annual Viking Fest Parade beginning at 2 p.m. along Fjord Drive and Front Street; Sons of Norway Scandinavian Luncheon from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grieg Lodge on Front Street; and an outdoor big band dance featuring the Buz Whiteley Band 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Kvelstad Pavilion.

Sunday starts bright and early again with the Lions breakfast at 7 a.m., the Rose City Water skiiers will wow crowds along the waterfront at 10:30 a.m. and, as always, the annual lutefisk eating contest will kick off at 2 p.m. with 12 brave souls scarfing down the codfish dish in timed increments. The festival closes at 4 p.m. Sunday.

The full Viking Fest lineup is:

Friday, May 14

•4 p.m. — Opening Ceremony at Kvelstad Pavilion. Kitsap Battalion Naval Sea Cadets color guard, American and Norwegian national anthems sung by Sons of Norway Vestre Sund Mannskor. Guest speaker Mayor Donna Jean Bruce. Introduction of Miss Viking Fest and Miss Poulsbo. Tales of Viking Fest from the 2004 Miss Viking Fest contestants.

•4-10 p.m. — Carnival open on Anderson Parkway. Food and craft booths open. Viking Village open. Entertainment at Kvelstad Pavilion sponsored by Sprint.

•4:30 p.m. — Poulsbo Sons of Norway kindergarten to fourth grade Leikarringen Dancers directed by Robin Breakey at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•5:15 p.m. — Poulsbo Sons of Norway fifth through 12th grade Leikarringen Dancers directed by Susann Jeffries at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•6:15 p.m. — Hip Hop dancers from Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island at the Kvelstad Pavilion.

•7:30-9:30 p.m. — Music by Swing Fever at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•10 p.m. — “Syttende Mai” fireworks celebration.

Saturday, May 15

•7 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Poulsbo Noon Lions pancake breakfast at the Poulsbo Armory. Proceeds benefit the Lions’ NKHS scholarship fund.

•7:30-9 a.m. — Check in for the Viking Fest Road Race at Lions Park.

•9 a.m. — Start of Viking Fest Road Race 5-mile run on 6th Avenue.

•9:05 a.m. — Start of Viking Fest Road Race 1-mile run on 6th Avenue.

•10:15 a.m. — Start of Viking Fest Road Race kids dash on Front Street.

•10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Viking Fest Show and Shine car wash at Christ the King Academy at the corner of 8th Avenue and Hostmark Street.

•10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Carnival open on Anderson Parkway. Food and craft booths open. Viking Village open.

•10-10:30 a.m. — Kitsap Kickers Line Dancers at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•10:45-11:15 a.m. — Boot Scooting Grannies at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Sons of Norway Lodge #44 Scandinavian Luncheon.

•11:15 a.m. — Viking Fest Road Race awards at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Liberty Bay Danceworks at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•12:30-1:30 p.m. — Leikarringen Dancers of Leif Erikson Lodge #1 at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•2 p.m. — Viking Fest parade in downtown Poulsbo.

•4-5 p.m. — Rose City Water Skiiers on Liberty Bay sponsored by Boxlight.

•5:30-7:30 p.m. — The Rick Allyn Band at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•7:30-9:30 p.m. — Buz Whiteley Big Band dance at Kvelstad Pavilion.

Sunday, May 16

•7 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Poulsbo Noon Lions pancake breakfast at the Poulsbo Armory. Proceeds benefit the Lions NK High School scholarship fund.

•10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Carnival open on the Anderson Parkway. Food and craft booths open. Viking Village open. Entertainment at Kvelstad Pavilion sponsored by Sprint.

•10-10:30 a.m. — Kitsap County Cloggers at the Kvelstad Pavilion.

•10:30-11:30 a.m. — Rose City Water Skiiers on Liberty Bay sponsored by Boxlight.

•11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Poulsbo Sons of Norway Monday Night Folk Dancers accompanied by the Clover Blossom Band at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•Noon -—Deadline to sign up for the lutefisk eating contest at the Info Booth. Limited to 12 contestants 18 and older. Entry fee is $10 per person.

•Noon to 3 p.m. — “Norway: Nature’s Triumph” video shown at the Sons of Norway Lodge. Video will be shown at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Free admission.

•12:30-2 p.m. — Clover Blossom Band at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•2 p.m. — Lutefisk eating contest at Kvelstad Pavilion. Sign up at Info Booth before noon Sunday. Limited to 12 contestants 18 and older. Entry fee is $10 per person.

•3-4 p.m. — Clover Blossom Band at Kvelstad Pavilion.

•4 p.m. — Festival closes.