Viking village and parade celebrate town heritage

This year's event will be a "smaller" version of the cancelled Grim Falfest

An event is being staged in Grimsby later to celebrate the town's Viking heritage.

A Viking village campsite will be set up in the town centre from 10:00 to 16:00 BST.

There will be a parade at 14:30, led by re-enactors, from St James Square to Riverhead Square.

James Nuttall, who leads the local Viking group Lindesige Saeweard, said: "The people of Grimsby are proud of our Viking heritage and the parade is a great chance to come together and celebrate with our friends and neighbours."

It is hoped that the event, which is being organised by the Havelok's Kingdom group, will encourage children to learn more about the town's roots.

Grimsby is named after a legendary Danish fisherman, Grim, who is said to have travelled to North East Lincolnshire with a boy prince, Havelok.

Mr Nuttall said: "Let’s keep the Viking spirit alive and march and shout about Grim and our town."

The parade will start from St James Square in the town centre

The event is being billed as a "smaller" version of the Grim Falfest, which attracted 20,000 people when first staged in 2022, but has been axed this year due to a lack of funding.

Last year, the award-winning, three-day Falfest featured battle re-enactments and a parade.

Organisers previously said they hoped the festival would return in 2025.

Julia Thompson, one of the organisers, said: "Grim Falfest helped spark interest in our Viking heritage as well as giving a much-needed boost to businesses [and] the community. It’s great to see that legacy continue.

September had become "Viking time" in the town, she added.

'Strong community'

The Viking Village event will include talks and displays of crafts, skills and weaponry.

A boat will be transformed into a Viking fishing vessel and families will be able to take part in Viking crafts.

Jim Snee, founder of Lindissi CIC historical group, which is taking part in the event, said: "The Vikings were a strong community, proud and looking out for their friends and neighbours. The parade invites groups of all ages to come together and celebrate that heritage."

Any community groups who would like to be part of the parade should dress in Viking-style clothing and meet at St James Square at 13:30.

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