On Saturday, May 17th (Syttende Mai), native Norwegians and Norwegians at heart will celebrate Norway's Constitution Day. In Norway, children and teenagers dress in traditional costumes, called "bunads," and parade through the streets. In several American cities, children and adults alike take the opportunity to reconnect with their inner Viking by donning horned hats and consuming substantial amounts of pea soup, krumkake, and – for 12 intrepid fish-eating contest participants in Viking Fest at Poulsbo, WA – lutefisk (dried cod traditionally cured in lye).

While I will selflessly sacrifice signing up for the lutefisk-eating contest so that others may enjoy that gastronomic delight, I've already begun to make krumkake, fragile, beautifully imprinted Norwegian cookies, for our family to enjoy while we participate in the celebrations.

If you're in the Pacific Northwest, why not come out and be a Viking, too? In the Seattle area, check out Ballard's Syttende Mai celebration, an institution since 1889, or attend the 40th anniversary of Viking Fest in Poulsbo (in addition to the lutefisk-eating contest, this year Viking Fest will be hosting its first-ever "Iron Chef" competition as well! Anyone care to guess what the secret ingredient will be?).

In Alaska, vikings and valkyries will re-live the good old days at the 50th Anniversary of the Little Norway Festival in Petersburg, AK.

Do you have a local Syttende Mai festival? Tell us about it – and the food it spotlights! – in the Scandinavian Food forums!

Krumkake image ©2008 Kari Diehl, licensed to About.com.