Syttende Mai og Vikingfest

Outside of Norway Ballard holds the largest Syttende Mai (Norwegian National Day) celebrations in the world. I decided I needed in on the action and drove up to Ballard on Friday for some of the festivities. I spent a good amount of time at the Nordic Heritage museum (of which I am a member) checking out the new exhibits and went through the old exhibits that area always great. Here is their website
The fjord horses were back and in the parking lot at the Nordic museum. It was rather entertaining to see the guy play ballet with their trucks and large trailers through the tight streets of Ballard.
After the museum I spent time at Bergen Place, or the place where the Scandinavian flags are always flying in Ballard there on Market and 22nd...

There was entertainment. There were people. There were bunads. There were Norwegians. There were Sami. There were even Swedes, Icelanders, and Danes. It was good.
I had the chance å snakke norsk med folk og sånn og det var jævlig godt. I need a Nordlands bunad lol

Exhibit A

In fact, I spoke with a guy from Tromsø who had on this very bunad.
Follow this link for more pictures from Syttende Maihttp://www.seattlepi.com/local/slideshow/Ballard-s-Norwegian-Constitution-Day-Parade-62670/photo-4646788.php

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So that was Friday.

Saturday was Vikingfest in Poulsbo. There was a Viking camp set up and many vendors. Lunch was at the Sons of Norway in Poulsbo overlooking the water. Excellent.
Dancing, more bunads, more norse, etc. The parade was rather wet and lasted over an hour but was great with many entries.

 Oðin

 

I love Poulsbo.