Published: Wednesday, 6th August, 2008 12:00
Chinese Dragon in Viking Festival
By Paul Laing
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Largs will be invaded by the yearly Viking Festival which begins on Friday 29th August, bringing a week of Norse culture to Largs.
Choirs and bands will be in Largs for nine days to entertain visitors, who will learn all about viking life and will also be able to take part in activities and workshops which include a craft fair and a weapon show.
A Viking village on the Esplanade by Greenock Road will be open from 11am to 5pm every day. Modern day Vikings from across the world will be there to talk about how they live and what they believe in, and also what they eat and the clothes they wear. Viking traders will also be there to sell their goods.
The Festival officially starts on Saturday August 30th. The day’s events begin at 2pm with a parade from Morrisons to the Viking village on the Esplanade led by the Isle of Cumbrae RBLS pipe band and floats. A large Chinese dragon and the Scottish Rockettes cheerleaders will join the celebration, with No Poo on my Shoe also taking part.
The parade will be followed by a ceremony led by the Festivals Patron, Professor Magnus Fladmark, Provost Bobby Rae and the Norwegian and Polish Consuls marking the opening of this year’s event.
The evening of Saturday 6th September will see the festival’s most exciting event with Valhalla Day at The Pencil Monument, as Norway fights Scotland once more in a recreation of the 1263 Battle of Largs. A Longship will be burned after battle. The evening’s action will end with a thrilling firework display.
The festival ends for another year on Sunday 7th September following a children’s fun afternoon. A traditional fair in the prom car park will also be open during the week. For more information about the Festival call the Tourist Information Centre on 01475689962.
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