Reykjavík Grapevine - 16.07.2010, Síða 21

Music, Art, Films and Events Listings + Eating, Drinking and Shopping + Map
Your essential guide to life, travel and
entertainment in iceland
Issue 10 - 2010 www.grapevine.is
It’s Almost
Verslunarmannahelgi
Again
That means even more
drunken debauchery than
usual. And it’s a lot
to begin with.
As if Icelanders don’t get fucked up enough on normal weekends, the first weekend of August is extended for Verslunarmannahelgi, the Icelandic
Merchant’s Holiday, for three days of countrywide drowning in booze. Taking place July 30 to August 2 this year, parties and festivals will be held all
over the island full of family-fun, music, games and, of course, piles of liquor.
There is also fun stuff happening in the city for those who can’t escape Reykjavík for some reason (or just hate the whole camping thing). Families and
kids under boozing age are also guaranteed a fun time since there are activities for one and all to enjoy, and even a couple of good, clean God-fearing
alcohol-free festivals to partake in. Mostly though, as almost everything in this country, it does revolve around drinking and it doesn’t take a lot to get
everyone all riled up. Whether you stay in the city or get out to one of the many events, be sure to take in some of this awesome weekend.
Vestmannaeyjar – Þjóðhátið
Probably the biggest of the week-
end’s festivals, this massive camp-
out has been happening since
the first Verslunarmannahelgi in
1874 and features music, bonfires,
sing-alongs, family activities and,
of course, insane amounts of
drunkenness. www.visitwestman-
islands.com.
Akureyri – Ein með öllu
Named after the classic all-
dressed hot-dog, the happening
in Iceland’s northern capital aims
to be a family-oriented affair but
is definitely coated in beer. And
vomit. The town doubles in size
over the weekend and it features
some not-all-terrible music and
cool stuff for kids of all ages.
www.einmedollu.is.
Neskaupstaður – Neistaflug
Being thrown for the 18th time
this year, this party out in the
Eastfjords is not to be confused
with its more debaucherous young
sibling, Eistnaflug. This one is
more suitable for all ages and has
less emphasis on death metal and
more on fireworks and dock-ball
tournaments. www.neistaflug.is.
Ísafjörður – Mýrarbolti
Up in the northwest there is the
filthy, dirty, grimy, muddy tradition
of mýrarbolti, or swamp-ball. It’s
just like regular football, except
it’s played in a field of thick mud
so it’s obviously way more fun.
Gotta be 18 to play, but everyone
can come laugh. www.myrarbolti.
com.
Reykjavík – Innipúkinn
Finally, for all you sorry SOBs who
can’t get out the tent and hit the
countryside, you can just hit up
local venue Sódóma for a line-up
of some of the finest local bands
that also couldn’t get out of town
that weekend and party with them!
Yay! Find them on Facebook: In-
nipúkinn Festival.