Viking Ship to Sail the Waters of Chautauqua Lake

Viking Ship to Sail the Waters of Chautauqua Lake June 29, 2011 Updated Jun 29, 2011 at 12:26 PM EDT Jamestown, N.Y. (WKBW release) -- The Vikings are coming! The Vikings are coming! Centuries ago, such a statement would have been viewed as an ominous warning of impending doom to coastal towns and villages throughout western Europe. Today, however, it should be met with great enthusiasm, as anyone wanting to catch a glimpse of a replica Viking ship will have the chance to do so on July 14 when The Norseman sails the waters of Chautauqua Lake. E-News - subscribe to our daily newsletter The event is being held to help promote the 2011 Scandinavian Folk Festival, taking place July 15 – 17 at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds, located just 10 minutes north of Jamestown. The Norseman is a ship owned by The Leif Ericson Viking Ship, Inc. – a not-for-profit education group from Philadelphia aimed at raising awareness of Leif Ericson and the Viking's role in world history. It is a 40 foot-long replica and has a mast that rises 24.5 feet above the waterline. The sail is 17 feet by 17.5 feet. The vessel also features a figurehead, representing a sea serpent that was hand-carved by artist and sculptor Marty Martinson. The shields on the side represent the countries of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. It is rated for a maximum crew of 20 people. The Norseman's tentative schedule is to embark from Chautauqua Lake's Long Point State Park on the morning of July 14 and sail to Bemus Point. From there it is on to the historic Chautauqua Institution, before returning back to Long Point. The ability to sail is dependent on the weather. Not only will local residents and summer visitors have an opportunity to see this unique vessel in action, but one local person will also get to ride on the boat with a guest. Festival organizers are holding a drawing where one lucky winner will receive two boarding passes to complete the sail. Tickets for the drawing can be obtained for $12. In addition to being entered into the drawing, anyone who buys a ticket will also receive a weekend pass to the Festival (also valued at $12). Tickets may be purchased at Ecklof Bakery, Peterson Farm or the Reg Lenna Box Office. The drawing will take place on July 10. The tenth annual Scandinavian Folk Festival will be celebrated July 15-17, 2011 at the Gerry Rodeo Grounds on Rt. 60 in Gerry, N.Y. There, The Norseman will be docked as part of the Viking Village theme area. Vikings will be reenacting many aspects of daily life including ancient Viking competitive sports. A Viking Kubb tournament will be held on July 16. The Festival will also celebrate our Scandinavian culture with traditional and contemporary Scandinavian music and folk dancing in the entertainment tent, the shops in the market tent, presentations in the lecture tent, craft demonstrations along with a child and family center in the culture tent and, of course, Swedish meatball, pancakes and korv dinners. For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living visit: http://www.chautauqualakehomes.com/ By WKBW News