Leif Ericson Day, Durham, NH 2011

34^th Annual Leif Ericson Parade, Durham, New Hampshire

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

6:30 AM at the Laundromat on Main Street

When I was growing up in Holden, Massachusetts a large majority of the townspeople were of Scandinavian descent.  We had a kid in the neighborhood named Leif Ericson, and his brother was Eric Ericson.  During social studies class we all giggled when learning about the Viking with the same name. But we were also secretly envious of such a cool moniker. 

Later, when I moved to New Hampshire, I was fascinated to learn about Leif Ericson Day.  This is an annual, non-organized even where marchers gather at the Laundromat on Main Street in Durham.  Everyone dresses in their favorite Scandinavian sweaters, Viking helmets (complete with horns), or other festive garb.  There is a salute to Leif Ericson, with many “Hurrahs”.  Upon hearing the horn blow, they all march together, a total of 25 feet, for breakfast at Young’s Restaurant.  It is always celebrated on Columbus Day weekend, and this year it will be held on the morning of October 9, Sunday, at about 6:30 AM.  You don’t need to be a Swede, Norwegian, Danish or Finnish to participate!

Leif Ericson Day is celebrated internationally on October 9th. According to an article in Foster's Daily Democrat  "...the traditional parade began in 1977 when Nobel K. Peterson and two others wanted to do something in conjunction with Leif Ericson Day, which is Oct. 9. Peterson and his friend were doing laundry when they decided to march next door to Young's Restaurant in honor of the Icelandic explorer known as the first European to land in North America."  At the restaurant the annual proclamation by President Obama and by New Hampshire's Governor Lynch will be read.

Check out the many silly videos of the Durham Leif Ericson parade on Youtube.com

UPDATE 4 September 2020:   For two years the Stone Church in Newmarket has hosted this event. The parade marches from the historical society to the Stone church for a potluck.   

Ha det gøy! (Have fun!)   

For more information:

 See the website:

http://fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091009/GJNEWS_01/710099889    Foster's Daily Democrat, "The Vikings are Coming!" By Robert M. Cook, Friday, October 9, 2009.

Leif Erickson Day 2009 http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2009/10/leif-erikson-day-in-new-hampshire.html

Leif Erickson Day 2010 http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/10/leif-ericson-day-october-9-in.html

Young’s Restaurant, 48 Main Street, Durham, New Hampshire http://www.youngsrestaurant.com  Permanently closed in May 2020.  

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, "Leif Ericson Day, Durham, NH 2011", Nutfield Genealogy, posted October 6, 2011, ( https://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2011/10/leif-ericson-day-durham-nh-2011.html: accessed [access date]).