On the Avenue: Vikings to invade Owl’s Head Park!

“Skoll!”

That popular Viking battle cry is sure to be heard throughout Owl’s Head/Bliss Park (68th Street and Colonial Road) on Saturday, May 10, as crowds gather to enjoy Viking Fest 2025. The annual festival, which features hands-on exhibits and activities relating to Scandinavian history and culture, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event is organized by the Scandinavian East Coast Museum, in partnership with Councilmember Justin Brannan, Apple Bank for Savings, SON Lodges, Bay Ridge Baptist Church and the Owl’s Head Park Horticulture Group.

Organizers were proud to announce that the famed Norseman Viking ship will be back with full crew, and there will be re-enactors from SCA Ostgardr, plus The Gladiators, a rune reader and a Viking scavenger hunt.

Another highlight of the festival will be the staging of a Medieval court case, with a jury deciding the outcome. In addition, guests can enjoy “Touched by the Vikings” — a special presentation featuring intercultural connections in music and dance. This presentation will feature Ellen Lindstrom on accordion, along with pipers from Clann Eireann Pipe Band, Middle Eastern dancer Arabella, Red Hawk Native American, Ukrainian Dance and YDIR Maypole Dance, according to organizers.

Throughout the day, guests can enjoy a host of children’s games, crafts and delicious Scandinavian food.

For more information, call 718-748-5950 or email the organizers at [email protected].

The festival serves as a precursor to the annual 17th of May Parade marking Norway’s independence, which takes place May 18 “on the avenue.”

This year’s parade will step off at 1:30 p.m. from 85th Street and Third Avenue and continue to 75th Street, then turn up 75th Street to Fifth Avenue to 67th Street and into Leif Ericson Park, where the reviewing grandstand is located. The theme of the parade is “Celebrating Norwegian Immigration 1825-2025,” organizers said.

Each year, hundreds of marchers participate in this beloved Bay Ridge tradition, dressed in traditional Scandinavian garb and marching alongside vintage Viking ships and other historical floats.

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If you’re doing something noteworthy “on the avenue,” reach out to me directly at [email protected]!