POULSBO — On a cool, blustery rain-filled Saturday, the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge was full of warmth and the smell of lutefisk.

Even though the traditional codfish provided a reason for the ninth annual gathering, it took a backseat to the Scandinavian heritage linking several generations together.

“It’s special for the kids because it gives them a chance to perform for their community,” said lodge youth director Joann Graves.

The Sons of Norway’s children Leikarringen Dancers perform at several different venues throughout the year, but it’s not often they get to dance for the entire lodge, Graves said.

“They get to be part of the community, and they have a chance to give something back,” she said. By performing at the event, all of the children add to the cultural celebration, which, she added, is the real reason for the lutefisk dinner.

“It’s part of their cultural heritage, and lutefisk is a part of it,” Graves said.

Lodge cultural director Grace Overby echoed Graves’ sentiments on the importance of emphasizing culture at the event.

“Lutefisk is very important in Norway,” Overby said. “It’s a tradition.”

As part of the lodge’s mission to keep Scandinavian culture alive, the lutefisk dinner is one component that helps draws the lodge together, she said.

“It gives the kids a chance to perform, and it’s just very important,” Overby said.

For Myrtle Jodry and Scott Ellerby, Saturday marked the culmination of a week of preparation. They joined a long list of volunteers, who helped make the event possible.

“We do it because it’s a tradition for the Sons of Norway,” Jodry said.

The lutefisk dinner is a perfect example of the work undertaken by this dedicated group of volunteers, which has made it a success for the last nine years, Ellerby said.

“This is my first year with it, and it’s been incredible,” he said.

As chairman of the gathering, Ellerby said the experience has been enjoyable due in large part to the work of his predecessors, who developed a solid plan for the event.

“It’s turning out very well. The people who have been doing this for a long time told me we have a lot of patrons who are repeat offenders,” he said.

However, more than just being an opportunity to eat lutefisk, the dinner brings the entire lodge together, he said.

“Our people are real welcoming and warm-hearted folks,” Ellerby said.