Hjemkomst Center: Two Scandinavian festivals

Anyone who has lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area for any amount of time is probably well aware of our infatuation with all things Scandinavian, especially the Vikings. It only makes sense, with so much of the population around here having ancestry that hails from the frozen north.

Even as someone who claims no Scandinavian heritage myself (German and Scottish), I have to admit the craze for all things Nordic is infectious, not even just here but in pop culture (Thor from the Avengers? Heavy metal? Come on.) There are a number of places to get your Nordic fix in the F-M area, and one of the best is the historic Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, which will be holding its ninth annual Midwest Viking Festival this year.

Originally known as “Viking Village,” over time the Midwest Viking Festival became the outdoor companion to the Hjemkomst Scandinavian festival, which happens at the same time indoors.

The happenings indoors will certainly be interesting, with food, music, and presentations on arms and armor, but if you’re willing to brave the heat and humidity we’ve seen this month, the outdoors Viking Festival is most definitely worth your time. The same ticket gets you into both events, so why skimp on the Scandinavian festivities?

According to organizer Tim Jorgensen, there will be a number of Viking-inspired events occurring outside of the Hjemkomst Center. “There are over twenty new additions to the festival this year,” he said. There will be demonstrations of blacksmithing, bronzework, bone and antler artwork, not only inspired by the Scandinavian countries, but communities from all over the Viking diaspora, including Ireland and Russia.

This year will also be featuring the talents of Montreal-based Joms Viking Fighters, a group of historical reenactors who will be pitching tents and engaging in Viking combat for the patrons’ entertainment.

This is also the first year the festival will include authentic Viking food based on recipes put together by culinary ethnologists, as well as beer from Hammerheart Brewery.

That’s not to say there isn’t anything there for the kids, though, as children can take part in a Kid’s Quest, where they earn glass beads to make a Viking necklace for engaging in at least a dozen activities like crafts, and trying on a chain mail shirt. Children under 12 receive free admission.

I asked Tim Jorgensen about how even those without Norse ancestry seem to be enamored with Viking culture, to the point where it has become ingrained in our pop culture. He said that he thought a large part of it was the influence of fantasy entertainment. Fantasy staples “Lord of the Rings” and “Game of Thrones” drew heavily on Nordic influence in their worlds of might and magic. Comics, films, and video games were also influenced. “A number of the items in Skyrim were based on archaeological props from Viking culture,” said Jorgensen.

I also had the opportunity to speak to one of the demonstrators in the festival this year, Kyle Jameson, a self-described newbie to the Viking scene who will be taking part for his second year. A direct-care professional for CCRI, he also sells modern leather goods under the name Jameson Leatherworks, which funds his “Viking adventures” as he likes to put it.

Jameson discovered a knack for leather work about 10 years ago when he wanted to make a leather belt for himself and a friend gave him the tools and said, “Go for it.” “The rest as they say, is history,” said Jameson.

Jameson’s family lineage disposed him to craft Viking leather goods. “I have lot of Norwegian ancestry, on both sides of my family. Even my non-Norwegian ancestors were really Norwegian (our family is part of the Gunn Clan from northern Scotland, which originated as a Norwegian Viking settlement.)” Events like this allow him to work on commission with other people in the Viking community.

Whether you’re one of the many Scandinavians around here interested in finding out more about their ancestral heritage, or even just someone fascinated and enamored with Viking culture, there is plenty to do and plenty to see both at the Midwest Viking Festival and the Hjemkomst Scandinavian Festival. It’s a great way to step back to the world of several centuries ago, if only for an afternoon.

IF YOU GO:

Midwest Viking Festival

June 24-25, 10am-5pm

Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave N, Moorhead