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SUMMER 2023

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Grim FalFest 2023

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Grim FalFest 2023


This year's Viking invasion of Grimsby was yet another storming success for our town! Starting last year, Grim FalFest is a celebration of the old Scandinavian roots in the town's history. Especially the founding legend of Grim & Prince Havelock.


Most peoples idea of heritage in Grimsby starts and ends with the fishing industry over the last 100 years but we actually have over a thousand years of recorded history. From the industrialists railways in the 1800s to the religious buildings like Grimsby minster (around 1200) and Old Clee Church (1050). But if you go back even further to the 9th century AD you get the founding of Grimsby by Viking settlers!


While its hard to confirm the details of what happened in a small fishing village a thousand years ago, the story of Havelock & Grim has a fundamental part of the towns identity. Even still, the awareness of Grim's story and our Scandinavian roots seems to be at an all-low, this is where FalFest comes in!


The 3-day-weekend was a raging success of family fun, historic re-enactments and general Autumn-cheer! Starting with the Humber Taiko Drummers before the fiery arrival of a longship to the River Haven (Alexandra Dock) which in turn was followed by a traditional Viking funeral. The Friday saw plenty of celebrations and mead drinking before the weekend properly kicked off at the Grimsby Minster and People's Park.


The next couple of days saw Viking villages and reenactors living through an average medieval day for Viking settlers in Grimsby, from cooking food and making clothes and chainmail, to tool maintenance and finer artisanal craftwork. (We even spotted a few reenactors having a 'traditional Viking nap' in the hot weather on Saturday!) The insight into life during medieval Europe was a fascinating and fun experience for all ages, which was rounded off well by a display of cavalry skills and even a Viking battle!


Looking back on the festival's many market stalls, performances and all round festivity, it's safe to say the 3 day event was another resounding success! With local residents and visitors alike, sharing their gratitude with the reenactors and event organisers across social media. Last year there were over 22,000 people who visited the town centre for the festival and hopefully the current building work around Freshney Place will be finished in time for next years Grim FalFest and we can break that record with another Viking invasion!


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