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Fun and immersive Viking Festival coming to Freeman Street Market next month

A fun, immersive and educational festival celebrating all things Vikings is coming to Freeman Street Market in Grimsby next month.

On Saturday, September 14 from 10am to 4pm, Freeman Street Market will be transformed into a Viking village, where members of the public can try Viking-inspired food, take part in an array of exciting games and pose for pictures alongside a Viking ship.

People of all ages will have the chance to learn more about the Vikings and experience cheeky Viking antics, laughter and family fun, thanks to the Earthbound Misfits ‘Smelly Peasants’ theatre performance. ‘Grim’ himself will also be on hand to meet and greet visitors.

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There will also be plenty of activities for children to enjoy, including face painting and glitter tattoos, the Viking Trail Adventure and special Viking-themed STEM activities thanks to STEMpunx Lincs.

The event will also see the iconic Grim and Havelock statue welcomed to its official new home on the market, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place during the day.



The festival includes a series of Viking reenactments
A previous Viking reenactment event in People’s Park

The statue was rescued in 2022 by the co-owners of the Turntable Gallery, Dale Wells and Darren Neave, after it had been sat in storage for several years after being taken down from its plinth outside the Grimsby Institute following repeated acts of vandalism.

A special exhibition was held at the Turntable Gallery to showcase the statue in its worn-down state, before its restoration was carried out, initially by Dale and Darren and subsequently by retired Lincolnshire businessman Will Hennessy.



The statue on its plinth outside the Grimsby Institute, before it was taken down in 2006
The statue on its plinth outside the Grimsby Institute, before it was taken down in 2006

A spokesperson for Freeman Street Market said: “Get ready for an unforgettable day on September 14 as Freeman Street Market transforms into a Viking village. Havelock’s Kingdom, a passionate local group of Vikings, will bring history to life with authentic armour, clothing, and immersive camps.

“Families can enjoy delicious Viking-inspired food and engage in exciting games throughout the day. Don’t miss the chance to snap a photo with a Viking ship and learn fascinating facts about these legendary seafarers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all ages to dive into the thrilling world of Vikings — mark your calendars and join us for this epic celebration.”

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