ARLINGTON – The 4-year-old Arlington Viking Festival was defeated.

The Downtown Arlington Business Association decided not to fund it after last year because it wasn’t profitable.

But there was enough interest in the event locally that Norse by Northwest out of Whatcom County decided to step in.

Its first Northwest Viking Festival took place this weekend at Twin Rivers Park. That venue, rather than Legion Park downtown, made the event bigger and better than ever, coordinator Shauna Olds of Ferndale said. She helped start the first Viking Festival for Arlington five years ago. There was one volunteer, one tent and one re-enactment group.

This year, there were 15 volunteers, 10 re-enactment groups and 40 vendors. Battles took place all over the large field. Participants like Elijah Joy, 9, of Arlington, tried hands-on activities, such as throwing spears and shooting a bow and arrow.

Just on Saturday, Olds said 800 cars had pulled into the festival, which was more than last year’s turnout on both days. Olds attributed the turnout to the better location and organization in the community.

Olds said money raised will go to two causes.

She said her young daughter has encouraged the group to help the homeless. She saw one who had lost a foot and found out the homeless are in need of dry socks, so that has become a priority.

The other cause is to start a heathen-pagen worship center where anyone can go, Olds said.