The free, three-day event for families and visitors called "GRIM FALFEST" kickstarts a year of Viking activities for schools and community groups.
The celebration has been created by the Visitor Economy, Services, and Retail team (VESR) of North East Lincolnshire and is produced in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire.
The project is supported by The National Heritage Lottery Fund, which has awarded GBP 250,000 for activities, performances, and workshops in schools and the local community throughout the year.
The event will launch with longships sailing up The Haven carrying the town's founder Grim and Prince Havelok.
Over the weekend, visitors will be able to explore a Viking camp in Minster Square, meet Grim the Viking, and enjoy live music, a Viking market, and food in Riverhead Square, according to a press release.
A Viking battle in People's Park is expected to be a highlight of the event. Photo: Mike South, provided by Heritage Lincolnshire
A Viking battle
One of the highlights will be a Viking battle in People's Park and a parade through the town by a host of Vikings. On the waterfront, paddleboarders have the chance to paddle out to a long ship to meet its crew, while another vessel will be on land for visitors to explore.
"Grim the Viking is back! We're delighted that The National Heritage Lottery Fund is supporting this brand new celebration of our town's Viking heritage and continuing links with Scandinavia. We hope everyone will have fun meeting Grim and his Vikings," Julia Thompson, Chair of VESR, said.
"This is a great way to bring history to life through re-enactment and hands-on exploration of a Viking village. We hope it will inspire visitors to participate in the year of activities exploring our Viking heritage. There is a first for Lincolnshire, and we're proud to be delivering this event," Natalie Lunt of Heritage Lincolnshire noted.
"It's wonderful to have an event to find out more about Grim, whom Grimsby is named after. For those who don't know the story of Grim and Havelok, it will be an opportunity to learn about our Viking connections, from language to its culture," Emma Lingard, VESR Heritage Officer, pointed out.
The three-day event will take place from Friday, September 23, to Sunday, September 25, 2022, across central Grimsby.
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