Fish soup and horned helmets

At first glance, Vikingfest seems like any other cultural bazaar. The event, sponsored by the Sons of Norway, offers traditional folk dancing, food, music and crafts for the whole family. It sounds very wholesome, until someone mentions “vikings-on-a-stick.” The phrase conjures dueling images of state-fair snacks and the battle tactics of Vlad the Impaler. A reassuring call to the Sons of Norway confirmed that a viking-on-a-stick is, in fact, a food item. A large, oblong, pre-cooked meatball is placed on a popsicle stick, dipped in batter and fried heartily before being sold to happy Vikingfest-goers. Try one at Vikingfest from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free at the San Juan Masonic Center, located at 5944 San Juan Avenue in Citrus Heights. Call (916) 783-8830 for info.