The Norse weather gods clearly looked favourably on the Vikings of York this week, as weeks of rain broke to keep the JORVIK Viking Festival dry and even sunny, providing a wonderful welcome to thousands of visitors who descended on the city. An estimated 50,000 people joined in the fun, from the encampment to watching the spectacular March to Coppergate, a parade of around 450 Vikings!
“This has really been an epic year for JORVIK Viking Festival, with the vast majority of the events sold out before the Festival even opened, and really good crowds turning out to enjoy all the free activities and displays we have hosted,” comments Mark Jackson, head of operations for York Archaeology, which organises the Festival.
Despite gloomy forecasts, the rain held off all day yesterday (Saturday 21 February) for the large-scale events taking place at the Eye of York. From the young warriors-in-training who opened the day with the Kids Barbaric Battle, to the full-grown Viking combatants taking on four rounds of combat in the Battle Spectacular, which ended with a special pyrotechnic display, the public enjoyed seeing the ferocious side of the Viking invaders.
“The March to Coppergate seemed particularly well-supported, with people lining both side of the street the whole way from Dean’s Park to Coppergate, cheering on the marching Vikings as they passed,” adds Mark. “Indeed, the living history encampment in Parliament Street has been packed all week, with the wood turning, blacksmithing and tattooing proving exceptionally popular. It is brilliant to see so many people engaging with this fascinating period in York’s history, and learning a little about how our 10th century ancestors would have lived.”
There is still plenty more for visitors to enjoy on Sunday, as the 10th Century Traders continues at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, kids crafting at Barley Hall, and Poo week concludes at DIG on St Saviourgate. Fringe event, the Jorvik Tattoo Moot also continues at Merchant Taylors Hall and Bedern Hall for anyone wanting a permanent souvenir of their visit to the Festival. It is also the final evening of York BID’s Colour & Light at the Eye of York which tells the story of York’s villains through projection on the Castle Museum and Clifford’s Tower – with a familiar Viking name also putting in an appearance!
As JORVIK Viking Festival is traditionally the event to mark the end of Winter, so too ends A Winter Adventure at JORVIK Viking Centre, the seasonal make-over that saw the recreation of Viking-age Coppergate covered with a thick blanket of snow. The attraction will close on Monday 23 February for the great thaw, reopening on Tuesday with the street scenes reverting back to their usual Spring setting of a May afternoon in the year AD960.
For more information, please visit jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
