Nine pix: Spectacular fireworks and big crowds at the Viking Fest weekend

Warm spring sunshine and big crowds greeted the Vikings during their big York weekend.

Crowds lined the streets to watch a procession of over 250 vikings. Many of them were women – one of the big themes of this year’s Jorvik Viking Festival.

Jorvik marketing manager Beth Dawes said:

• This truly has been a year for the women of Jorvik.

  Not only did they head up the March to Coppergate, leading over 250 Vikings, but our ‘best beard’ competition had more female than male entrants, with nine women displaying their hand-crafted and styled facial hair.
  

Sell-out audience

A sell-out audience filled the Eye of York for the evening Battle Spectacular which told the stories of Viking women drawn from ancient Norse sagas.

St Sampson’s Square was packed, as Viking warriors and contemporary strongmen taking to the stage for impressive trials of strength and endurance.

Particularly popular were special guests, Josh Maley, who regularly models for festival sponsor Descended from Odin, and Ryan French, who demonstrated impressive skills, deadlifting 260kg.

“The forecast looks amazingly warm and dry right into next week, which is perfect for those on half term in York to come and enjoy the rest of the Festival, which continues until Wednesday,” adds Beth.

Many events, including Have-a-Go Sword at Spark:York, the encampment in Parliament Street and live combat displays and storytelling on the St Sampson’s Square stage continue to take place daily from 10.00am until 4.00pm until Wednesday 27 February.

Gallery: Jorvik Viking Festival