We’ve been working our way up the coast of Norway, taking time in a region often passed by cruisers headed north.

May 17th is Norway’s major national holiday, their Fourth of July if you will, celebrating freedom from centuries of Danish and Swedish rule. So we had to choose a destination in which to observe this ritual.

Decisions like this are not easy. Big city and a party, or small village? We chose Saetervika, a former fishing outport now remaking itself as a tourist destination.

The harbor is tight, with a nice floating dock. There are a couple of fishing boats which now take tourists to try their luck. The buildings along our dock have been turned into a harbor motel, with most occupants spending their days afloat in small runabouts.

The view from our salon at 2300 is lovely (we are a week and a few miles from the latitude of the midnight sun).

The marching band arrived by ferry this morning. It appears they play in a number of these parades on the coast today. At 1000 the drum majorette gave a loud whistle, twirled her baton, and off they went. Having been in Petersburg, Alaska, for their Norway Day parade (with “Norwegians” dressed as Vikings) we think that these outfits are closer to reality. Note the hats and boots. Linda wore a similar outfit in the Caldwell, Idaho, Night Rodeo parade (sans cape, but with denim sleeveless vest).

The marching order was school kids in front, the band, and then everyone else.

This young dude with his shades and flag had the option of riding on his Dad’s shoulders, in his stroller, or walking like everyone else. Being a tough Viking, he chose the latter.

That’s the entire parade, the whole town, walking around the harbor to the school, where additional festivities will occur. The band in blue is centered. Subtract them and you have Saetervika’s population.

The tail enders are keeping up with the formation. As the parade passed various homes additional marchers joined in swelling the ranks to what must have been 50 souls.

What a great way to celebrate freedom.