Velkommen til sommer North Kitsap

POULSBO — If the weasel goes pop, does the dogfish go slop?

It did Saturday night as young contestants attempted to throw the stinky deceased fisk into a steel bøtte (bucket) several paces away. The unique pasttime really caught on last year during the Sons of Norway’s celebration of Midsummer Fest and didn’t disappoint crowds or contestants during the 6th annual event.

Despite the fact that the summer solstice gathering had Waterfront Park smelling like low tide, folks danced, played music and games as if in a field of roses.

The fisk kaste was a big draw to Midsummer Fest and kids squealed with delight and disgust as the unlucky catch soared through the air, before crashing to the green grasses or — on a rare occasion — into the pail.

Throws varied and while Natalie Bollen was the first to sink the fish in the bucket, Hanna Reynolds had the crowd scrambling as her wild tosses went just about everywhere but the intended mark.

Viking Brian Davis explained the rules of the contests, telling his “brave contestants” that “needle-sharp accuracy” to sink the limp dogfish. The competition was broken into age groups, which the Viking also gave the customary helping of Norwegian baloney.

“And, for those who are rapidly approaching the cusp of adulthood... a 12- year-old division,” Davis announced.

Five-year-old Adam Parker wowed Seattle Mariners talent scouts with a 3-for-3 performance. The young talent, Parker has reportedly signed a two-year contract with the Emerald City team for the 2020 season, which hailed the $120 million a “bargain.” But rumors were unconfirmed by press time.

“The aerodynamics of dogfish — let’s face it — are pathetic,” Davis explained with a laugh as contestant Haley Brown hurled the fisk.

Singing, dancing and music by the Cloverblossom Band set the stage for such games near Kvelstad Pavilion and while Sons of Norway 2002 Queen Lauren Patterson painted faces, the boys’ team managed to pull off a close victory in the tug-of-war competition.

As the summer sun began to set, the Sons of Norway Vikings revived ancient traditions that, since the times of Christianity, have been linked with the birth of John the Baptist. Lighting the solstice bonfire in commemoration of St. Hans Day may have brought the evening to a close for guests on hand but it also helped open a seldom knocked upon doorway to the past.

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