VISTA — Norse culture, food and revelry will take center stage when the annual Vista Viking Festival takes over the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum on Sept. 19 and 20.
This year marks the festival’s 24th edition and the fourth year it will be held at the museum, after previously being hosted by the Sons of Norway Norge Lodge in Vista.
The family-friendly event centers on Viking Village, staffed by nine historical re-enactment guilds from throughout the region. Guild members dressed in period costumes will demonstrate traditional Scandinavian crafts such as blacksmithing, metalworking, weaving, spinning, knitting and carving.
One of the more distinctive exhibitions will feature rosemaling, or “rose painting,” a traditional decorative painting style that developed in Norway during the 18th century.
Live music will be performed throughout both days on two stages, featuring bands specializing in traditional Scandinavian and Celtic music, along with a variety of folk artists.
While Viking-inspired competitions and simulated combat have long been part of the festival, new this year is the International Highland Games Federation Stone Lifting Competition. Participants will lift large stones and compete to see who can throw them the farthest. Another contest will challenge participants to throw a large log, an event traditionally known as the caber toss.
Visitors also can participate in a beard contest, archery, axe throwing and spear throwing.
Vendors will sell a variety of Scandinavian crafts and merchandise, including leather goods, traditional clothing, drinking horns and books.
Organizers emphasized that no on-site parking will be available this year. Visitors must park at Vista High School or Mission Vista High School. Parking will cost $10, cash only, and includes shuttle service to and from the festival.
Ticket packages and additional information are available at vistavikingfestival.com.
