It’s a shame that the Weekly World News beat the North Kitsap Herald to a riveting story about a 1,200-year-old Viking who was found frozen in a block of ice.

In our defense, the mysterious iceman was reportedly found in Wakeham Bay, Canada — which is a ways out of the Herald’s coverage area. The real shame about what the News touted as “one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the new millennium” (i.e. the last three years) is that the frozen Norsemen won’t be thawed out for another week or so.

Meaning, of course, he’s going miss a heck of a celebration in Poulsbo. If we had found him first, we’d have put “Arctic Ole” under the heat lamp a lot sooner. If we had our way, he’d be at the head of the parade. Or possibly at the Sons of Norway’s beer garden.

Either way, Viking Fest has finally arrived in Little Norway and for those who are visiting our fair city, Velkommen.

In true North Kitsap fashion, organizers have spent months making sure that a few weekend days are so chock full of fun that locals and visitors alike will soon be marking their calendars for the 2004 event.

There are so many things to do today and tomorrow, we really don’t know where to start. Whether your pleasure is carnival rides, games, great food, hot cars, dancing, running, plants, a grand parade, water skiing entertainers, music, singing, or Norwegian delicacies, it’s all here today and tomorrow.

And then it’s gone for another year.

It’d be a real shame to miss it all, so don’t be shy and stop on by. Bring the kids, the parents, the grandparent, siblings and even those estranged second cousins.

We think they’ll all love our Norwegian charm and have a great time checking out our historic business district.

There really isn’t any reason we can think of why you shouldn’t be there. Unless, of course, you’re thawing out after being frozen since the 9th Century.

Then we can cut you some slack.