Nordic Fest is a celebration of the spirit of Scandinavia and includes fun activities for the whole family. Traditions new and old abound throughout the weekend.

There will be lively dancing, challenging sporting events, delicious food, and lots of other entertainment, including many things to do for free on the Vesterheim museum campus, too; there will also be a special family rate of $25 to other museum events on Friday and Saturday.

• Vesterheim’s “National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition” is an exceptional exhibition of knifemaking, rosemaling, weaving, and woodworking by some of the best contemporary American artists. Many of the pieces will be for sale by silent auction.

• The museum’s Open Air Division will come to life with Living Heritage Demonstrators from Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Watch experts at blacksmithing, figure carving, leather work, knifemaking, woodworking, chair-making, and more.

• Returning from Knox City, Missouri, is Sam Shoults and his Viking ship replica. The Viking longship “Yrsa” is about 27 feet long and 6 feet wide.

• Vesterheim welcomes back the re-enactment group “Skjaldborg,” from Elk Horn, Iowa. Visit their Viking camp in the museum’s Open Air Division to see how Vikings lived. They will entertain with full combat demonstrations.