ANGORA- It’s time to polish your crowns and daggers, dust off your capes and wings. The Festival of Skalds is coming Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Festival of Skalds is a weekend of Old Norse-themed merriment, complete with primitive archery, axe throwing, Viking food and games mixed with fantasy elements like mermaids and fairies. The festival celebrates the skalds who were the keepers of Viking history and great story tellers of their people.
The festival grounds are located at 8182 Carpenter Rd., in Angora. The entrance fee is a $5 per person over the age of 13, children 12 and under cost $1 or may enter free with the donation of a canned food item, which are donated to the Cook Area Food Pantry.
No alcohol is allowed at the event. Bladed weapons are allowed but must remain sheathed and peace-tied for the duration of the event. Festival attendees may come dressed up as themselves or in costume.

Visitors will find many items for sale at the festival, including weapons like handmade long bows, swords, knives, axes and spears, blacksmith tools and survival gear, as well as a wide variety of art and various goods, from leather-made products to herbs, candles, and willow baskets. And where else will you find things like nalebinded (Viking knitted) hats, mittens and pouches or novelties like dragon eggs? There’s great food and the entertainment includes primitive archery, axe throwing, Mustafa Ali the mystic, musician and poet, Dans Askina the Turkish dance ensemble. Dragon hunting classes will also be offered.
The festival is kid-focused with activities ranging from face painting, treasure hunting, quests, and the chance to win a variety of prizes. At admissions the children will receive a piece of twine. While the children are enjoying the festival they may inquire at the many vendors’ tents to receive a bead. Once their twine is full of beads they may receive an award from the fairy empress and take part in her ceremony.

Volunteers are still needed for pre-event set up and during the event to help direct parking, admissions, and keeping the festival grounds tidy. If anyone would like to lend a golf cart for the weekend to transport disabled guests from the parking lot to the festival grounds it would be greatly appreciated. For more information on volunteering contact Jacinda at 608-247-8704. The Festival of Skalds would also like to give thanks to their 2023 sponsors, the Cook Timberwolves Snowmobile Club and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Angora.