POULSBO — It appears that Murphy might just be Norwegian instead of Irish as his law of “If it can go wrong, it will go wrong,” has settled over the 2007 Viking Fest preparations.
Not only are any hopes of fireworks returning to the Norwegian Independence Day celebration fizzling, but the parade has lost its sponsor.
Despite all the dark clouds hanging overhead, Viking Fest secretary Kathi Foresee refuses to see anything but blue skies.
“Even without a sponsor, the parade will still go on,” Foresee said. Poulsbo RV had sponsored the event for the past three years, she said.
The parade sponsorship assists with the event’s marketing, but Foresee said she is confident another sponsor will be found before the May 18-20 celebration.
A much more pressing need for event organizers is raising the $10,000 needed by April 1 to ensure a fireworks display, she said.
“It’s been requested to have (the show) back, but it is an additional cost,” she said.
The event’s current sponsors cover the festival’s operating expenses, so new businesses are being called upon to help out, she said.
“If 10 businesses came on at $100 each or $500, we could get up to the $10,000 we need,” Foresee said.
Donation cans are located at several businesses and restaurants throughout the city, but larger gifts are keys to lighting up the skies over Liberty Bay, she said.
On the plus side, one new tradition to the event from last year, which was a huge success, was the grand marshal selection contest.
“We received more than 80 letters and ended up naming two teachers from Poulsbo Junior High as grand marshals,” Foresee said.
Shauna Barnett and Eileen Angilletta were co-grand marshals of the 38th annual Viking Fest parade, and Foresee said she has high hopes for this year’s contest.
“It was great hearing the yells and cheers at the parade,” she said. “It just helps make it more local.”
Nomination forms have been distributed throughout the North Kitsap School District and are due no later than April 25.
Seattle country radio station 94.1 FM KMPS is once again slated to do a live-remote broadcast from one of the festival’s larger sponsors, she said.
“We’ll have a drawing for our $2,500 and over sponsors,” Foresee said. “It’s at no cost to them.”
