POULSBO — Perhaps it was only fitting that the hot summer sun dominated the skies Saturday as Midsummer Fest filled Waterfront Park with the sights and sounds of days gone by.

The raising of the maypole, adornment of Kvelstad Pavilion with greenery, and even the fish toss brought smiles to faces of all generations.

“I think it turned out very good and we couldn’t have had any better weather today,” said Sons of Norway President Bob Moseng as dancers stepped in time to the sounds of a hardinger fiddle.

At its peak, the festival brought about 350 people to the park to enjoy the traditional celebration of the summer solstice.

“This tradition goes way back in history and celebrates the beginning of light,” Moseng said.

Even though the event is much smaller than Viking Fest, which marks Norway’s Independence Day, both have their place in Norwegian traditions, he said.

“They’re really different holidays, but I’ve always enjoyed a good Midsummer,” Moseng said.

While Poulsbo’s celebration contains many of the trappings found in Scandinavian countries, its fish toss makes it unique, he said.

“I think we always need something a little bit localized that makes it unique,” he said of the event, which is led by the Sons of Norway Vikings.

The event also comes at a time when the lodge is enjoying a period of harmony as past internal differences have been put aside for the good of the entire lodge, he said.

“Things are going wonderfully at the Sons of Norway,” Moseng said.

For Sons cultural director Grace Overby, the event was the culmination of her first year organizing the event, which had previously been handled by former Sons administrator Mariann Samuelsen.

“Things have gone great, and the weather’s been excellent,” Overby said as she took a moment to observe the festivities.

Having the Glam Folk return to set up a downscaled Viking Village also added to the authenticity of the celebration, she said.

“They really help bring things to life,” Overby said.

As the Sons of Norway Vikings prepared to light the traditional Midsummer bonfire, Samuelsen, who will be returning to her native Norway, took one last look.

“This is just the way I wanted things to be,” said the longtime Sons administrator, who helped bring the event to Waterfront Park. “I know Grace (Overby) and Lisa (Moseng) will do a great job of taking care of it.”