The Viking Festival returns for its 38th year and is as high flying and dynamic as ever with Red Devil parachute and aeroplane displays, an international food market, and a busy schedule of cultural and educational activities, rounded off with a BANG!
The festival is now recognised as one of "The best traditional festivals in Europe" according to the Guardian Travel Supplement. 
Viking Festival chairman Alex Gallagher said: "There were Italian, French, Spanish, Greek and other nations covered but our festival was the sole UK entry, and it is something we are very proud about."
As well as the Viking Village providing a glimpse of life in the 13th century for the Norse warriors, providing a marvellous educational resource for children, there are a range of exciting events taking place throughout the nine days, with the traditional Battle of Largs re-enactment and fireworks display taking place at Broomfields - the Festival of Fire!

Largs and Millport Weekly News:
At weekends there will be aerobatic displays, on-stage entertainment and a variety of street performers on the Promenade and at various locations in the town including The Belfagan Women’s Morris Side comprising dancers and musicians from the West Lakes area of Cumbria and the Border Reivers Morris.
The parade and opening ceremony takes place on the afternoon of Saturday 1 September, and officially opening the festival this year is Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston, Chief of Clan Hunter.
The ever popular parade has a new edge this year, as a top prize of £200 is up for grabs for the winning float. 
Festival director Douglas Blair said: “It is hoped to improve the parade based on previous years, so the directors would like businesses, youth groups, schools or even older person groups to be part of the parade for one of the town's main premier events of the year.”
So, whether you wish to dress up as the victorious Scots King Alexander III and his Scots warriors or be a fearsome Viking all will be welcomed.
Douglas pointed out that Largs Churches Together have always had their own theme float and supported the parade loyally and this makes it special. 
For further information please see largsvikingfestival.org and make contact. No form required just some public spirit and a sense of fun. 
The festival committee would also be happy for any support and help from individuals who wish to help but don't like dressing up.
There really is something for everyone, from the rubber duck race kicking everything off on Saturday 1 September at 12 midday at the Gogo Burn, to one of the longest running annual events in the Hakon Hakkonsson Lecture at the Vallhalladarome at the Vikingar.
This year's lecture concerns Viking women in Scotland by Dr Stephen Harrison of the University of Glasgow.
This year the re-enactment group Swords of Dalriada will be in the Viking Village with Viking traders from Germany, Sweden and Ireland. Come and see how the Vikings lived in our extended living history 13th Century Viking Village. Entry fee of £5 Adults, £2 children, students and Concessions (over 60s) with Under 5s FREE gives admission throughout the day of purchase.
The Village opens at 11 a.m. every day with last admission at 4.30pm. 
As well as the Viking Village there will also be a Scottish Food and Craft Fayre. Come and enjoy a shopping experience with a difference. Owl Magic will also be based at the festival. All the owls on show have been hand reared and are used to being handled.
And don't miss the funfair present on the promenade car park throughout the festival.
The Viking Festival was launched in 1980, and is a true international celebration, and in recent years aeronautic displays have proved display from the RAF Typhoon to the Lancaster Bomber WW2 fly past. 
This year's event is packed full of family fun events promoting cultural and educational links. 
For more details on this year's event, go to the offical website largsvikingfestival.org