Clashing shields and roaring Vikings aren’t an everyday sight in Newton. But the Scandinavian Cultural Center transformed into a Nordic village Saturday for the Berserk festival.

After a five-year hiatus, Kerry Lavin, executive director of the Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library, revived the annual daylong celebration, complete with live combat demonstrations, traditional food, and historical crafts. 

“People just love Vikings,” Lavin said. “I think it’s a fun tradition. It’s holding onto something that existed 100 years ago, when there were more Scandinavians.”

The festival drew hundreds of visitors to the Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton, where 15 vendors and performers immersed attendees in Nordic traditions. The Berserk festival launched in 2017 but went on pause when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Its return this year marks the first festival since 2019.

Inside the center’s Nordic Hall, William Short, a Viking scholar and author, gave a talk that explored how Norse beliefs shaped everyday life, from battle rituals to burial practices, while challenging misconceptions about Viking spirituality. 

Visitors eager for a glimpse into their futures headed across the lawn to Melissa Scott’s Viking tarot and rune reading station. While tarot is often seen as mystical, Scott views her practice as a way to honor an ancient tradition rooted in Norse history.

“What makes it so special is that you’re handling things that have been used on shields, in doorways and cups,” Scott said, referring to the runes she uses in her practice. “When you’re looking at them, you’re thinking of all the people who carved that sign.” 

The festival’s main attraction was the Boston Viking Irish, a historical reenactment group specializing in Viking combat and blacksmithing demonstrations.

“We’re all just a bunch of nerds that really love what we do,” said Emily Farrell, the group’s founder. “It’s a really great life – being able to love history, tell people about it and fight a little.”

With backgrounds in martial arts, members use blunt weapons and wear traditional armor as they reenact Nordic battle scenes. Before their show, the group members mingled with visitors, offering demos of their gear and posing for photos.

This year Berserk introduced a stone-lifting challenge led by New England Stone Lifting. The challenge gave visitors a chance to test their strength while learning about ancient Icelandic customs. 

Jarrett McPhee, co-founder of New England Stone Lifting, is passionate about introducing the tradition of stone lifting to America. Across Scandinavia, stone lifters can find historic rocks to test their strength. However, there was no equivalent in the United States–until New England Stone Lifting.

Aside from holding events, McPhee has started collecting and placing stones throughout New England, hoping to “build future history” and unite the stone lifting community in the United States.

“These stones, though not historic today, can be in 40 to 50 years,” he said. 

Among the vendors was Aili McKeen, owner of Aili’s Aerie, a fur-trapping and leather goods shop in Westport, Connecticut. Her display of fox, coyote and bear pelts offered a look into the practical skills of early Norse communities. 

“Everybody trapped once upon a time,” McKeen said. “They didn’t just go about raiding and pillaging.”

The fan favorite of the festival was Gunnar’s Icelandic Hot Dogs. Inspired by the famous hot dogs from Reykjavik, Gunnar’s hot dog stand is known for its unusual selection of toppings like crispy fried onions, sweet brown mustard and apple ketchup.

Rachel Trahan and her fiancé drove from Revere just to get a taste. 

“For me the biggest draw was these hot dogs,” Trahan said. “When we saw they had something similar, we wanted to come right away.” 

Here are some photos from the festival.

Bruce Conroy poses in traditional Viking attire as he sells pelts at the Scandinavian Cultural Center’s Viking Festival. Photo by Miu Tung Rong

A traditional Viking game, Viking Festival, May 31, 2025. Photo by Miu Tung Rong

Stephanie Conroy in traditional Viking clothing Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

Ed the Wizard poses for a photo at the Scandinavian Cultural Center’s Viking Festival. Photo by Muayad Al-Barwani

Megan Cronin plays a traditional Viking game at the Scandinavian Cultural Center on May 31. Photo by Miu Tung Rong

Boston University Newsroom reporter, Rayea Jain interviews Aili McKeen; fox, coyote and bear pelts are on display. Photo by Anny Zheng Wu

Grace and Riley Holcomby are having lots of fun at the Viking festival. Photo by Miu Tung Rong

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This story is part of a partnership between the Newton Beacon and the Boston University Department of Journalism.