Vikings are invading the western Iowa town of Elk Horn this weekend, but they won’t be pillaging or plundering. Lisa Riggs, Director of the Danish Windmill, says they’re friendly Viking re-enactors who will participate in the third-annual "Viking Meet."

She says the Vikings will be blacksmithing, rope-making, weaving, cooking, story telling and live steel combat. Around a dozen re-enactors from Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska will partake in the event. One of the featured attractions is the Viking Hjem, which is a 900 A.D. Viking Smithey’s home.

Riggs says the Viking who lived in the home made his own cooking utensils and tools, and the re-enactors will be doing that, as well as making Viking coins. The Viking Meet offers visitors the opportunity to talk with the re-enactors about how Vikings actually lived.

"You can sit around, watch and listen to them and ask them questions," Riggs said. "They’re Viking re-enactors…they all have full-time jobs, but this is something they really enjoy doing – going back in history. Most of the activities, which are free, take place today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information about the Viking Meet is available on-line at www.danishwindmill.com