Locals celebrate Icelandic heritage at annual feast

SPANISH FORK -- Hundreds of people gathered in Spanish Fork on Saturday night to honor their Viking heritage. Historically, Icelanders held a feast near the end of each winter to celebrate making it through another year with food to spare. The celebration is called Thorrablot . The Icelandic Association of Utah has been hosting Thorrablot  in Spanish Fork annually since 1998.

Spanish Fork was the first permanent settlement for Icelanders in North America with the earliest settlers arriving in 1854. The Icelandic Association of Utah was established in 1897 with a mission to remember and celebrate the Icelandic heritage of so many in Utah and also to maintain relationships with the people of Iceland.

Icelandic descendants in Utah have kept strong ties with their roots. Icelandic Association member Jack Tobiasson sees Thorrablot  as a great way to honor Icelandic heritage.

Return to top