Celebrate the Viking millennium

It may be 2000 everywhere next year, but for Newfoundlanders the millennium also marks another special date: the 1000th anniversary of the arrival of Leif Erikson and his band of Vikings and the founding of their settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows in the northwest part of the province. The Viking Trail Tourism Association, which promotes the area for tourism, is celebrating the occasion with a number of special events next year.

Start planning now for a visit to The Rock next summer, when the “Grand Encampment” will feature 100 guides dressed in Viking clothes who will demonstrate life in the last millennium, complete with a re-enacted battle. Next July 28, Viking ships will arrive at the camp enroute from Labrador, in a recreation of Erikson’s 1000-year old route. One of the ships will be commanded by one of the famous Viking’s descendants, and thousands of visitors are expected to attend.