Saturday we had perfect weather for Viking Days at Mystic Seaport.
We enjoyed strolling through the Viking encampment…
Draugar Vinlands is a historical reenactment and living history group based out of Exeter, New Hampshire that is dedicated to the accurate portrayal of combat and culture during viking-age Scandinavia.
~ Draugar Vinlands website
The costume of the Viking with the long pony tail (above) caught my eye and when I asked him if I could take his picture he posed for me. (below) 🙂
We stocked up on mead for summer solstice…
And stopped for lunch…
While we were eating (outside in the shade at a table under the trees) we spotted this artist painting…
Then we went to see a performance by Flock Theatre, “Viking Fact or Fiction?”
about our Viking misconceptions
And then Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center gave a talk about birds of prey. The Vikings were falconers but the birds we were shown are from Connecticut. All the birds presented were injured and brought to the nature center but were unable to live in the wild after their recovery.
And finally we listened to lovely “Songs of the Sagas” by Lynn Noel.
We had hoped to attend a lecture and book-signing with author James L. Nelson about the 300-year Viking invasion in Ireland, but, alas, the hall was filled to capacity by the time we arrived and they were not allowing any more people in. However, we bought two of his books and left them there for him to sign after the lecture. We can pick them up later. (I have a small collection of books signed by the author.)
It was such a lovely day. Now we brace ourselves for a very hot and humid day, although it looks like it won’t be as bad here on the shoreline as it will be inland. Some schools have already announced early dismissals and there is an air quality alert. Looks like the air conditioner will be going on today… I will miss all the birds singing… Sigh…
What a lovely day you had, Barbara! And of course I am always intrigued by Viking events. We are also having terrible heat and humidity–what in the world did we do before AC? I guess we were tougher then… LOL! 🙂 –Timi
I’ve been to Renaissance fairs before but this was my first Viking event. Following Draugar Vinlands on Facebook now so maybe I will be going to more of them in the future. 🙂
It’s true, we never had air conditioning when I was growing up and I do remember some very miserable, sleepless nights…
Looks like you had a great time. 🙂
It was loads of fun! 🙂
Enjoyed this celebration of authentic Viking Days, Barbara. They really go all out with the festivities here, how wonderful. A great way to embrace history.
Glad you enjoyed the celebration, Jet! Ever since the “Draken Harald Hårfagre” arrived at Mystic Seaport in the autumn of 2016 there has been a lot of Viking stuff happening here, including a special exhibition from Uppsala University in Sweden, “The Vikings Begin.”
What a great post! Enjoyed seeing the ‘vikings’ and would have loved to sample the menu!!
Thank you, Tiny! We tried the Scandinavian Red Hot Dogs because we never heard of them before. They were indeed, red, and delicious. 🙂 Enjoyed the cucumber salad, too.
Your photographs detail the day beautifully. I’ve never heard of Viking Day, and I want to go next year. I’m assuming it’s just for a week or so in June at Mystic Seaport? I think I better put it in next year’s calendar NOW. Your photos are stunning.
Thank you, Pam! I could be wrong but I believe this is the first and only Viking Days Mystic Seaport has ever had. I do hope they will be repeating it in the years to come!!! It seems to have blossomed out of the excitement generated by the visiting Viking ship and a special exhibition from Sweden featuring ‘one of the world’s finest early Viking-age collections… priceless treasures, including helmets, shields, weapons, glass, and other artifacts…’
“The Vikings Begin” exhibit will be here until September 30. https://www.mysticseaport.org/locations/the-vikings-begin/
Unfortunately, the Viking ship “Draken Harald Hårfagre” will be leaving July 10. I’m hoping to get a picture of it under sail as it departs. It will ‘visit 14 harbors across the East Coast of the U.S. spanning from Maine to South Carolina.’ I’m hoping it will spend the next winter here. https://www.drakenhh.com/
If the Seaport has another Viking Days next year I will be sure to let you know!
Thanks – the visiting Viking ship is so exciting. Hope you’re able to get a photo of it under sail.
🙂
This sounds like great fun! I would love to go to Viking Day. Enjoyed looking through your photos and imagining being there. Hope you are doing well this summer.
It was loads of fun, Kathy! There was so much to see and do, the encampment, activities, workshops, performances, demonstrations and lectures for all ages. Many little girls wearing flowers wreaths they had made ~ it was all so festive. 🙂
What a lovely picture you’ve painted!
🙂
Wonderful photos! That looks like a great way to spend the day…..
Thank you, River! It seems like so long ago, before this endless heat wave landed on us…
Ugh. Same here… we’ve been in the 90’s for a month. And that’s crazy for Maine! Our average temp for this time of year is 79.
We’re breaking records here in Connecticut, too. I’m resigned to biding my time until autumn arrives…
I adore fall. My absolute favorite season.
And my husband grew up in Cornwall, northwestern Conn. …. lovely area!
😊
My favorite season, too. I grew up in Storrs but I used to go to girl scout camp in Sharon and as a teenager we would “camp” on the Appalachian Trail near Cornwall Bridge. It is lovely there. I love all of New England. 🙂