
Jeff Brown Yachts Seattle customers enjoy the Norwegian tradition of Julefest
Article Posted Dec 14, 2021Nine Axopar owners and seven boats cruised into the beautiful seaside town of Poulsbo, nicknamed Viking City, to celebrate Julefest. Founded along Liberty Bay in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrants, the community and Poulsbo Sons of Norway host Julefest, the traditional Viking ceremony signifying the day the Sun disappears in Norway for the winter. Tradition includes lighting a beacon to call the Sun back from the underworld. In modern times St. Lucia, a highly respected Saint in Norway has been incorporated. She is brought to shore by boat, carrying the torch as a symbol of the sun, where she lights a bonfire followed by the Viking King’s reading of the Winter Solstice Proclamation. Our Axopar group enjoyed this annual Puget Sound event that included a Nordic Craft Christmas Market, samplings at the Taste of Norway, and gathering at Sogno De Vino to share notes and chat boating. With the high performance, all-season, all-weather Axopar boats and clothing line, it’s easy to embrace that old Norwegian saying, “There is no such thing as bad weather—just bad clothing."