News: Heathen Freehold Society

Viking Events Toast Mayday

Published in The Gulf Islands Driftwood, April 20, 2005

Islanders can expect to see Vikings marauding through Ganges on Saturday April 30, but the sight shouldn't cause panic. You may be party to the Heathen Freehold Society's fourth annual May-day celebration.

Held for the last two years on the south-end, the society of modern-day Vikings brings the event to downtown Ganges this May-eve

The Heathen Freehold Society's fourth annual Mayday celebration makes its Ganges debut with games, a maypole dance and a costume parade through the streets of Ganges, followed by a traditional Nordic feast.

Dedicated to the modern revival of the old traditions of the Nordic and Germanic tribes, the Heathen Freehold Society celebrates the third anniversary of its founding of with a special itinerary geared especially towards children and parents.

"The local kids have been great. They rocked the hall last year. Natural Vikings!" said Freehold spokesman Dan Miller, in a press release.

"This year we've moved the event to Ganges to make it easier for island single parents and families to participate."

The celebration will commence at Peace Park, across from ArtSpring, at 4:00 pm with a special treasure hunt similar to the modern Easter Bunny. A mask-making workshop will create original animal masks to be worn by participants in the later parade. A Maypole and circle-dance will follow, before the whole party of kids and creatures form the Viking Parade.

The parade begins at Peace Park, Seaview and Jackson, at 6:00 pm, proceeds to Fulford Ganges Rd., past the fire hall onto Lower Ganges Rd., to conclude at Mahon Hall, location of the Nordic feast.

The ceremonial potluck feast, planned for 7:00 pm, is modeled after the ancient tribal traditions of the Nordic tribes and includes a special toasting ceremony.

More folk-dancing is scheduled after the feast, followed by poetry readings and story telling, "Storytelling and poetry was a sacred art to the Germanic people," Miller says, "not to mention our love for music and dancing."

A musical and poetic open-stage rounds out the evening starting about 9:00 pm. There will also be door-prizes and a contest for the best Viking or Medieval costume. Admission to the feasting hall is by donation, and bring a food-bank donation as well as a potluck dish.

"Closing ceremonies include a poetic tribute to the Anglo-Saxon Gods whose names are still used for most of the days of the modern week: Twi, Woden, Thunor and Frea. The Norse knew them as Tyr, Odin, Thor and Freyr."

Miller said the group hopes to celebrate May-day in Ganges every year from here on in, as a fun, cultural event geared towards the kids.

For more information, check the Heathen Freehold web site at http://bc-freehold.org/ or call Dan Miller at 653-9575