Viking bash to kick off festive season

Viking maidens from the Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce test out the bones which will decorate tables in the town hall for the inaugural Viking ball on Friday, October 25. Photo / Christine McKay

The Vikings are coming, but there won't be any raping and pillaging; instead there will be fun, feasting and frolicking and the occasional clashing of swords.

The Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce's plans for our first Viking ball are well underway, but now residents need to get in behind it, chamber member, Lianne Simpkin said.

"The Viking ball will be the culmination of a great National Viking Day, which includes our annual street market," she said. "The ball will have a flavour all of its own, with great Viking cuisine, a superb band, Sir Duke, and entertainment from the Jomsborg lag.

"The Viking theme is our point of difference and part of the branding for Dannevirke and we're hoping the ball will bring people together for their Christmas bash," Lianne said. "We've had some hard times but now it's time to kick up our heels and have fun."

The Vikings of Jomsborg lag, a close-knit mobile Viking army, were a big hit at the Scandinavian Festival in Dannevirke in February and organisers of National Viking Day are hoping for the same reaction on October 25.

"They will carry out re-enactments in Ward St during the market day, before helping our ball to go off with a bang," Sue Berry, the project manager for the Viking market day, said.

Adding to the flavour of the ball will be bones, shields and swords created by chamber member Kathy Massey.

Made from papier mache, with a plaster coating, the realistic bones will be table decorations at the ball.

Entries in the Viking cuisine competition will be on display at the ball, with the winners announced on the night.

"With a $35 ticket cost for the ball, it's a cheap night out and people can either dress in ball attire or full Viking regalia," Lianne said. "Members of our Chamber of Commerce committee are busy working hard to make National Viking Day a success and they've done a wonderful job, but now we need people to show their appreciation and buy tickets to the ball."

* The National Viking Day market will be held on Friday, October 25 from 9am to 4pm, with the ball starting at 7pm. Ball tickets are available from the Bank of New Zealand for $35. Courtesy coach available.