Pictured is the Viking ship “Norseman,” which will be sailing on Chautauqua Lake Friday, July 20, and be on display at the 2018 Scandinavian Folk Festival. Submitted photo

The Viking ship “Norseman” will be sailing on Chautauqua Lake, weather permitting, on Friday morning, July 20, and be on display at the 2018 Scandinavian Folk Festival.

The ship is 40 feet long and is a replica of a Gokstad Viking ship. Viking ships ranged from 20 to 120 feet. The Norseman’s sail is 17 feet by 17.5 feet and is red & white vertically striped with a stylized raven painted on it. The ship will be accompanied by a Viking crew of seven people. Festival visitors will be able to board the ship as well as ask the crew questions about Vikings. The “Norseman” is a member of the organization Tall Ships America.

The Norseman ship is operated by the Leif Ericson Viking Ship Inc. in the Philadelphia, Pa., area. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization dedicated to the study, education and promotion of the fact that Leif Ericson was the first European to set foot upon and explore the North American Continent and of Vikings in general, their times and travels throughout the world.

A grant fromm the Karl Peterson Field of Interest Fund of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation is helping pay to bring the ship to Jamestown.

The Scandinavian Folk Festival will be held at Jamestown Community College from Friday, July 20, through Sunday, July 22. For more information visit scandinavianjamestown.com or call 665-0883.