Velkommen til Poulsbo...Welcome!

Poulsbo's leaders are progressive and forward looking, and are conscientiously working to balance the needs of a growing 21st century city, while maintaining the Scandinavian heritage that has earned Poulsbo the nickname "Little Norway".

Poulsbo, Washington, with a population of 9,245, is located in the northern part of Kitsap County and is 4.5 square miles in area. Liberty Bay, originally called Dog Fish Bay, and the majestic, snow-peaked Olympic Mountains to the west induced the Scandinavians to settle in Poulsbo because the area was so similar to the fjords of Norway.

The early years...Poulsbo was founded by Jorgen Eliason, from Fordefjord, Norway when the primary method of travel was water. Supplies were brought the eighteen-mile trip from Seattle by rowboat and later by steamboat. Over a sixty-year period, the "mosquito fleet", comprised of more than a dozen steamboats, served Poulsbo and other locations along Liberty Bay and Puget Sound carrying passengers and freight to and from Poulsbo and delivering farmers' produce to Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Today Poulsbo is a thriving community with many amenities that attract tourists and encourage people to move to this area. With its picturesque downtown core of rosemaled storefronts, shopping areas at Poulsbo Village, along Viking Avenue, and in College Market Place, Poulsbo offers much to citizens and guests alike. These include several beautiful parks throughout the city, a boardwalk along Liberty Bay, the Valborg Oyen Public Library, three marinas, interesting gift shops, delicious bakeries, good schools including the Olympic College satellite campus, and panoramic views of Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

West-half repairs mean nighttime closures for Hood Canal Bridge in May

The State Route 104 Hood Canal Bridge will be closed for a minimum of four nights beginning May 7, 2012 as repairs will be made to portions of the west-half draw span.

More information can be found on the WSDOT website: click here

44th Annual Viking Fest, May 18th - 20th

Viking Fest is a community festival celebrating the city's Norwegian heritage. Activities include an Entertainment stage; professional carnival; food, craft, and vendor booths; Lutefisk & Oyster Eating Contests; Street Murder Mystery Play; Paddle Board Race; Road Race; Scandinavian Luncheon; Pancake Breakfast; and an 85 unit parade.

For more information:  www.vikingfest.org