FESTIVAL OF SKALDS

Skalds were the keepers of Viking history and the great story tellers of their people.

The Festival of Skalds is an Olde Norse themed event that includes:

• Merchants of Handcrafted Wares
• Vendors of Tasty Morsels
• Ancient Games, Demonstrations, and Reenactments
• Entertainment of Medieval Sorts
• Primitive Archery
• And a Lot of Fun for the Whole Family!

Festival Entrance:

8182 Carpenter Rd

Angora, MN  55703

All canned goods will be donated to the Cook Area Food Pantry in Cook, MN.

 (Thank you to all the patrons and participants for all the contributions in 2024.)

Confirmed 2025 Artisan Vendors:

• Iron Ranger Arts - All things Primitive, Archery, Historical Replicas, Leather Goods, etc. - www.ironrangerarts.com
• Scrivener's Hoard (Inkling Publications)- Books of Adventure and related items - www.thervhodge.com
• Arachne's Garden - Nalbinding  (the oldest know method of creating fabric from yarn, sometimes referred to as "Viking Knitting") Nalbinded hats, mittens, pouches, etc.  Hand spun yarn, Primitive Ornaments, Pins, Hooks, handcrafted herbal soaps, creams, and salves.  Blacksmith-ed Tools and Primitive Survival Gear2024 Artisan Vendors:
• MM Sudie - Mark of Brikyif fantasy Novels, Notebooks, Silk Flowers, Maps, Bookmarks, Wooden Swords, and more. - www.mmsudie.com
• Pajari Girl, LLC - Jewelry, Puches, Bags, Photography and Tarot readings! - http://pajarigirl.etsy.com
• 552 - Fancifully, Cuddly, Plushy Dragons!  (*Note to potential forever homes:  All dragons have been sternly warned to be on their Best behavior.)
• Open Water Mermaids - Mermaid inspired goods, Nautical tales, jewel body art, and a fun Photo Op!
• Windy Hill Farm - Native Bead Jewelry, pen sleeves, and key chains, Homemade quilts, Hats, mittens, and scrubbies, and t shirts and watches.
• Sherbear's Mixed Media and Lanny's Sculptures - Resin and Fluid art on canvas, bowls, dragons, frogs, and Jewelry.  And Beautiful hand sculpted and bronzed items!
• Down to Earth Design & Tudor Rose Embroidery - Stained Glass, Wood burned Mushrooms, Jewelry, and Viking knit jewelry, embroidered and stitch crafts, and a little bit of demonstrating and history behind it all!
• Cultivate Small - Crocheted period Weaponry, Dragons and other mythical creatures, earrings, and period style Fidgets.

2024 Artisan Vendors:

• Iron Ranger Arts  - www.ironrangerarts.com
• Scrivener's Hoard (Inkling Publications) - www.thervhodge.com
• Art by Sarah Riley - Original Paintings and Prints, Ornaments, and Norse Rune Readings - https://artbysarahriley.smugmug.com
• Arachne's Garden -
• Valhalla Ridge Farm - Apothecary Medicine, Candles, Soaps, Gnomes, Willow Baskets, Pickled Dragon Eggs, and more. - www.valhallaridgefarm.com
• MM Sudie - www.mmsudie.com
• CJ Critter Ranch - Wind Socks, Sundresses, Diamond Art Sun Catchers, and 3D printed toys and other fun tidbits!
• 552 -
• Lyn Reed Pottery - Functional mugs and bowls, Viking and Anglo Saxon themed and authentic archaeological Viking pottery replicas, Pit fired vessels, Viking beaded jewelry, Eco silk and wool scarves. - www.lynreedpottery.com
• Anya's Henna Tattoos - Long term Temporary tattoos, Resin Pour Crafts, and everybody's favorite exotic ren faire bird!
• Nature's Treasures - Hand-crafted jewelry made with natural stone, sublimation art, and rocks.  Hand-crafted wood working items, including small furniture, lamps, cribbage boards, charcuterie and cutting boards and wood burned pictures!
• Pajari Girl, LLC  - http://pajarigirl.etsy.com
• Pharr Thrown Pottery - Mugs, Goblets, Bowls, Plates, Jars, Vases, and Dragons!
• Primitive Origins, LLC - Wire wrap trees and other creations, Dragon, Butterfly, Dragonfly, and Crystal being sculptures.
• Swamp Critters - Small welded mini fantasy animals, handmade scrapbook cards, crocheted dish clothes and scrunchies, wood carved  birthday candle holders, unicorn bracelets, and good luck gnomes.
• Annie Noodle - Watercolor and gouache paintings and sculptures - www.annienoodle.com
• Sherbear's Mixed Media and Lanny's Sculptures -
• Mythical Menagerie - Handmade, Pose-able Mythical Creatures, pendants, stuffed creatures, pins, prints, and stickers! - www.mythicalmenage
• Darlene Hodge Books - Books, Book Marks, and maybe some other stuff - This year Darlene Hodge Books can be found inside the Iron Ranger Arts tent - www.darlenehodge.com
• Open Water Mermaids -
• Northern Carving and Art - Antler and Wood Carving, painted feathers, jewelry, ruins, pouches, Macrame, and leather crafts.
• North Central Gems and Minerals - Rocks, Gems, Minerals, Big Rocks, little rocks, Shiny Rocks, not shiny rocks, rocks, rocks, Rocks!
• Aubreanna's Mystical Moons - Moon themed macrame creations, wire wrapped tree wall hangings and mushroom terrariums. - https://aubreasmysticalmoons.etsy.com
• Down to Earth Design -
• Chiara Elina Jewelry - Semi precious stone, solder and chainmaille jewelry - www.instagram.com/chiaraelinajewelry
• Blanket Wench and Whatknots - Blankets, Jewelry, Crocheted goods, Diamond Paintings, and more
• Windy Hill Farm -
• FUBAR and Things - Handmade Leather Goods, Jewelry, Sparkly Fairy What Whats, and more. - https://fubarandthings.org
• Bettencourt Forge - Hand Forged Metal Goods and Blacksmith Demonstrations!

2024 Food Vendors:

• NoBudyz Bizness - Fudge, Kettle Corn, and Candy!
• APs Pulled Pork - Pulled Pork Sandwich meals and other goodies!
• Rose Cottage Baking Co. - Food and Beverages, and probably some tasty baked goods too!
• OneNet - Soft Pretzels and Dip-dips!
• Cat's Creations - Freeze dried Candy and Sublimation Creations

2025 Entertainment Lineup and Activities:

• Shimmy and Spice - Middle Eastern Belly Dance - https://shimmyandspicebellydance.com
• MorningBird - Acoustic Folk Trio - https://morningbirdsings,com
• Gaelically Speaking - helping the Scot's Gaelic language continue to flourish. - https://gaelicallyspeaking.weebly.com
• Dragon Hunter Training - Extremely Educational and Fun!  This year's focus hasn't been announced yet!  Suitable for all ages of human!  May be too scary for juvenile dragons.
• Mermaid Tails - Interactive story and Nautical trivia time with the Mermaids
• Story time with Meredith - excerpts from the "Mark of Brikyif" fantasy novels

2024 Performers, Entertainment, and Activities: 

• Primitive Archery with Iron Ranger Arts and the Northwoods Grizzlies Archery Team
• The Axe Throwing Men - Axe throwing, Axe throwing, Axe throwing, and maybe some other stuff!
• Gaelically Speaking - https://gaelicallyspeaking.weebly.com
• The gardens of the Empress of Lan-Da-Cre
• Dragon Hunter Training 
• Dans Askina - Turkish Dance Ensemble - Music and dance from the countries of the former Ottoman Empire. - http://dansaskina.com
• Mustafa Ali - Mystic, Poet, Musician - Final Public Event before retiring

• Dogs only are allowed. No other pets are permitted.
• All dogs must be on a leash or in a pet carrier.
• You must provide proof of current shots and fill out a dog registration form prior to entry.
• Owner assumes full responsibility for pet's actions.
• Please respect others by cleaning up after your pet.

Dog Pre Registration Form - https://form.jotform.com/irawshop/dog-registration

• Parking is FREE and is located just outside the main entrance.
• No vehicles allowed on the grounds.
• Please respect the handicapped spaces, located to the right of the Main Gate. They are reserved for those who really need them.

• This is an alcohol and marijuana free event, no alcohol will be sold onsite and marijuana is prohibited as we are considered a public park with children present during festival hours.
• Food, Water, and Non Alcoholic Beverages will be sold at the Festival.
• No carry-ins allowed.

• Patrons are highly encouraged to wear family friendly costumes!
• The Festival has an emphasis on Olde Norse, but anything Medieval, Fantasy, or Renaissance is appropriate.

• No, there is no ATM machine. In addition, many vendors will not have credit card swipers. Please bring enough cash!
• The closest ATM machines are at businesses in Virginia, Chisholm, or Cook.

• No firearms permitted.
• Other bladed weapons must be peace-tied at all times: this means that the weapon is tied, strapped, or otherwise secured so that it cannot be drawn or wielded.
• Any guest wielding, holding, or displaying an untied weapon will be ejected from the faire.
• We reserve the right not to allow a weapon to be brought into the faire for any reason.

Campgrounds, Lodges, Hotels and other Accomodations can be found at a number of the surrounding towns within 30 miles of the Festival. The closest towns are Cook, Virginia, and Chisholm.

• By entering the Festival of Skalds grounds, all guests and participants grant the management and staff of Festival of Skalds permission to take photographs and videos of them to be used in advertising, promotion, and documentation of the event, and waive any rights regarding use of their image, likeness and voice for the aforementioned purposes.