By Tracia Bussey | Thorsby Community Columnist

This year’s Thorsby Swedish Fest—coming up Saturday, Oct. 13—may bring out a little Viking in a few people.

This year’s theme, “Year of The Viking,” is promising some fun and entertaining additions to the festival, one of which is a Best Looking Viking Contest. Anyone can enter, male or female, young or old at the Swedish Fest Queen’s booth before 11:30 a.m. at the festival. The registration fee is $15. The judging will take place at 11:45 a.m.

Also new this year is the Thorsby 5K Viking Run. The race will begin in front of Thorsby High School at 8 a.m. on Oct. 13. Registration costs $25 per adult, $40 per couple, $15 for ages 16 and under and $20 for senior citizens age 60 and over. Each entrant will receive a T-shirt and a goody bag. $100 will be awarded to the fastest male and $100 to the fastest female.

The 5K Run/Walk will begin at 8 a.m. Check-in and starting point for the race will be in front of Thorsby High School.

The race will be a closed course (no car traffic) starting in front of Thorsby High School and going south on Alabama Avenue for 1.55 miles, then turn around and race back to the finish line. Alabama Avenue is mostly flat with a small drop in elevation on the out run and the same rise in elevation on the back to the finish line.

Anyone interested in registering for the run/walk can go to www.thorsbyswedishfestival.com for race information and entry forms.

Businesses in Thorsby are invited to decorate their storefronts to support the Scandinavian celebration with extra points given for anything to go along with the Viking theme. The parade floats will also gain extra points for anything pertaining to Vikings. Both stores and parade floats will be competing for cash prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third place.