Viking Village

If you turn left once you reach the bayfront and walk a few blocks you'll come to Viking Village. Tiny fishing shacks have been turned into shops selling a little bit of everything from clothing and antiques to fresh seafood and take-out meals. The little produce market (under the red white and green awning on the right) is open everyday during the summer. The other white tents are up for special events, such as this Sunday antique show. Other Sundays present arts and crafts.

Notice the two friendly natives in the foreground.

A group of scandinavians immigrated to the island in the 1920's and settled in Barnegat Light because it reminded them so much of their homeland where they were fishermen. Descendents of several of these families are still in the fishing business here. Viking Village is one of the largest suppliers of fish and seafood on the eastern seaboard. Each year over five million pounds of seafood are packed out over the commercial dock and shipped to domestic and international markets. A lot of tuna is air shipped to Japan.

Some of the shops in the village are open year-round, but most of the activity is seasonal.

The trimphant fisherman in the statue is usually much more solitary than in this photo.