Known as "Islendingadagurinn," the four-day event celebrates the cultural roots of the town about two hours north of Winnipeg. Attractions include the Gimli Viking Village - a temporary living-history encampment, where costumed re-enactors depict life in Viking times and demonstrate Viking weapons and warfare - a history and culture pavilion, musical performances, and contests such as pole vaulting and Islendingadunk, a combination pillow fight and jousting match where opponents sit on poles suspended over water and try to dunk each other.
A pizza-eating contest - with a $500 first prize - is sponsored by Brennivins Pizza Hьs. Instead of pepperoni pizza, contestants gorge on "Rulapizza" topped with lamb and beef salami - a tribute to rullapylsa, the Icelandic lamb dish.
Most festival activities are free of charge. Contact 204-642-7417 or icelandicfestival.com for details.
Visitors who can№t make the festival but want to learn more about the town's cultural roots can do so year-round at the New Iceland Heritage Museum.
Contact 204-642-4001 or nihm.ca.
The area goes arty Sept. 4-5 when Gimli, Winnipeg Beach and neighbouring towns host the Wave Artists Tour, a free self guided tour of some 35 artists№ studios and galleries.
The Wave tour route follows the western shoreline of Lake Winnipeg, with its vast marshlands and charming country lanes. Participating studios will fly blue-and-white tour flags to welcome visitors in to browse, meet the artists, and discuss their work. For details, contact 204-642-4873 or watchthewave.ca.
The tour is organized by the Winnipeg Beach Art & Culture Co-op.
For more on travel to Manitoba, see travelmanitoba.com.
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