I have successfully survived the first weekend of the second annual Viking Fest Minnesota, in Farmington. I drove down and back each day, and am happy to report that I managed to accomplish that without killing my car off, this time around. There is extensive construction being done on Highway I-35, so the drive required a higher than usual level of situational awareness. Yet I passed the test.

Last year’s first weekend was unusually hot for October at this latitude, and it was the same this year. I sat under my sun shade/awning, which was occasionally in a position to shield me. I drank a lot of water and wore my broad-brimmed hat. Saturday was better business than Sunday.

If you were there last year, you may recall that I was located on the outside of the Historical Reenactors’ section, on the west side (I think it’s west) near the section’s entrance. This year I’m on the south side.

I will not share photos of that outside part of the festival, where I was located, which is generally (not always) Viking-themed Renaissance Faire stuff. Crytals and face painting, etc. But I’ve got a few shots of the serious reenactor area. Here’s a couple combat photos:

And here’s a guy whose tent was near mine (but on the Authentic side of the rope), who is carving out the bow of what will be a 27-foot Viking boat. The strakes will fit into the niches, which is how it’s done.

There’s one more weekend to come. It’s worth the visit.