Here there be Vikings! Vikings invade in Michigan!

Here there be Vikings!

This weekend Vikings invaded Freemont, Michigan as the The Mitterlanders re-created a Viking Merchant Town from along the Varangian Trade Route that ran from Sweden to Russia, and then on to Constantinople a millennium ago.

Viking wares

There were booths selling scents for the ladies and lads, clothes, jewelry, and other plunder from the past and present.

Bartering – The Viking Way!

The booths were a combination of modern and medieval and, while the prices were set there was some viking style bartering.

Aria Flame entertained the audience with a concert

The group, Aria Flame, entertained the audience with their songs while they dazzled them with their beauty.

A sword demonstration illustrating the importance of wearing a cup

Weapons demonstrations led to a discussion as to whether a blow between the legs was a killing blow or merely a flesh wound. The recipient took it with humor but if they had been using live weapons he would have likely changed his tune (by at least an octave.)

The fellow with the bigger staff won

Another demonstration showed that having a bigger staff can be an advantage when running an event or fighting with staves.

The Ball Python of the Steel Lotus Dance Troupe

The Steel Lotus Dance Troupe from Grand Rapids, Michigan also entertained the attendees with their dancing and even more so with their snakes! They employ both Ball Pythons and King Snakes in their dance routine though they keep them apart at home as the King Snakes are quite happy snacking on Ball Pythons and other snakes whether or not they are venomous.

Cindy Feister, Karen Jennings, and Claire Freeman of the EDance dance troupe from Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Steel Lotus Dance Troupe was not the only belly dance group performing in the Viking village as the dancers from EDance were performing with their beautiful silks streaming in the breeze.