Nestled in a valley between the majestic Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges, Poulsbo, Washington, is an authentic Norwegian community settled in the 1800’s by immigrants from Norway and Finland, who were drawn to it because of the similarities to their native countries. The city is located on Liberty Bay in Kitsap County, that provides for breathtaking scenery and has a population of just under 12,000 (2020 Census). Today, the Scandinavian theme is prevalent in its downtown with its storefronts, art galleries, shops, and specialty bakeries. The town has become a popular regional tourist destination, and with a town harbor, many visitors arrive by boat. Poulsbo celebrates its proud Norwegian heritage each year with a popular Viking Fest. King Olav V of Norway visited in 1975, when the town celebrated 150 years of Norwegian settlement in the United States. |