Around two thousand people are expected to throng the narrow streets of Sheringham today, to witness dozens of axe-wielding Vikings stage pitched battles in the town centre, before marching towards the sea for a ceremonial boat-burning on the beach.
The fourth annual Sheringham Scira Viking Festival kicked off on Monday with a series of children's art and craft workshops at the town's seafront museum.
Youngsters and their families had a chance to see reproduction Viking tools, cutlery and amulets made by Matlaske blacksmith Gavin Barker, and make Viking sun stones, longboats and badges, or print their designs onto a Viking tee shirt.
Run by festival founder Colin Seal and carnival volunteers including retired commercial set designer Chris Neville and his partner, artist Jill Brammer, the workshops were held in the museum's education room.
Mr Neville, who has worked on props and sets for clients including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Ideal Home Show and the Theatre Royal, Norwich, said the workshops had been a 'fantastic' success.
He added: 'We have been incredibly busy and we've seen lots of happy, smiling children, which is lovely.'
Festival day kicks off today with a Viking boatbuilding film screening at the museum from 10am-4pm, with festival regulars Wuffa joined by fellow re-enactment group Dragon Shields, from Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, for a combat display on Lifeboat Plain at 11am.
Following a storytelling session at midday, local historian and museum chairman Tim Groves will be telling the spine-tingling tale of when Vikings passed through the town at the museum at 1pm.
Wuffa and Dragon Shields will then make their way to the beach for a battle at 2pm, before the torchlit parade assembles on Station Road car park at 5pm, with the boat burning taking place on the beach at 5.30pm.
For more information and updates, visit the Sheringham Carnival Facebook page.
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