A couple of years ago, John Rigdon was scrolling through Facebook Marketplace when he stumbled across a listing you don't see every day: a 45-foot replica Viking longship. Most people would have scrolled past, but for John, it was a sign. He bought the massive vessel, a bold move that effectively made him "pot committed" to a lifelong dream. That single, unexpected purchase solidified a vision that had been brewing for decades, anchoring the future of what would become the region's most unique cultural destination: Vikingland.

For nearly two decades, the Vikings of the Valley have been a striking, axe-wielding fixture of the Roanoke, Virginia community. Founded by John’s dad, Jeff "Ragnar" Rigdon, the organization was born out of a deep passion to celebrate and preserve their Nordic heritage and culture. Now, after twenty years of bringing history to life on the move, the family is ready to build a permanent home with this fully immersive theme park.

A 20-Year Legacy in the Star City

The Vikings of the Valley first burst onto the local scene at the Local Colors festival, an annual event celebrating over 80 nationalities. They quickly became a crowd favorite, later expanding into the festival's culinary offshoot, Taste of Culture.

Since then, the group has made a habit of invading local parades and festivals, including:

• The Downtown Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade (a fitting tribute, given the deep Viking ancestry woven into Irish history)

• The Grandin Holiday Parade and Dickens of a Christmas

• Roanoke County Parks & Recreation events, including the annual Medieval Festival, Celtic Festival, and the Highland Games

Beyond the spectacle and roaring cheers, education has always been at the heart of their mission. The Rigdons have partnered with nearly every elementary, middle, and high school in the Roanoke area, as well as Roanoke College and Hollins University. They have also brought their unique brand of living history to afterschool programs and the Virginia Museum of Natural History.

"Children and adults alike always tell us we're the most interesting and exciting educational program they've experienced," the founders note. They attribute this success to their inherent Viking traits: passion, a love of life, and a desire to live completely in the moment.

The Vision for Vikingland

With twenty years of community support at their backs, the Rigdons believe the time is ripe for a permanent settlement. Located in Copper Hill, Virginia, Vikingland is envisioned as an immersive, all-ages theme park designed to both educate and entertain.

The park will feature a dynamic mix of authentic history and high-energy entertainment for visitors to explore. Guests can enjoy authentic Nordic fare, ale, and mead, while witnessing roaring live entertainment like battle and raid reenactments. The grounds will also offer interactive history experiences—including axe-throwing, blacksmithing, and a 4D theater—alongside family-friendly themed rides designed for all ages.

And that 45-foot Viking longship? It will eventually serve as a main attraction where children and adults alike can learn what it’s like to row and navigate the vessel that made the Vikings’ mythic exploits possible.

While the park will cater to the general public, it will also host tailored programming, ranging from adult-centric evening events to educational field trips in partnership with local schools and childcare programs.

"Vikingland is a portal to step away from the digital noise of modern life and travel back to a simpler, more heroic time," says John Rigdon. "The Viking spirit of relentless adventure, survival, and bold innovation actually mirrors the American spirit perfectly. After all, it was the Viking explorer Leif Ericsson who charted the rough waters to discover North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus ever set sail."

Ultimately, Vikingland aims to offer the region something truly unique. At its core, the destination is fueled by a simple, timeless philosophy: embracing a spirit of genuine adventure. For the Rigdon family, the true Viking way is about chasing new experiences, fostering community, and providing a grand escape from the mundane.

To celebrate the fall harvest and the sacred seasons of Samhain and Halloween, Vikingland Park is introducing a thrilling seasonal attraction: "Night of the Draugrs." This highly anticipated experience shifts the park from historical education into the dark, sweeping realm of Norse mythology and folklore.

Importantly, "Night of the Draugrs" marks Vikingland’s very first major public event. Running on Fridays and Saturdays this October, this inaugural autumn tradition serves a critical mission: all proceeds will directly fund the further expansion and development of the park. Every ticket purchased helps the Rigdon family build out their grand vision, turning the permanent longhouses, interactive exhibits, and future attractions of Vikingland from a blueprint into a reality.

What is a Draugr? In old Norse folklore, a draugr is an undead creature—literally a "walking dead" warrior. Unlike modern cinematic ghosts or mindless zombies, these animated corpses retained their superhuman strength, earthly intelligence, and an intense desire to fiercely guard their treasures and territories from the living.

The attraction itself takes bold adventurers on a journey through the universe as the Nordics saw it. The adventure begins in Midgard, the mortal human realm. As travelers navigate deeper into the trail, the atmosphere shifts. Guests must remain fully alert, as wights and draugrs rise forth from the shadows, visibly disturbed by human presence.

The journey grows even more epic as visitors explore the remaining realms, coming face-to-face with legendary, larger-than-life characters. Brave souls will encounter Garmr, the blood-stained guard dog of Hel; Surtr, the fierce fire giant; Nidhogg, the malicious dragon that gnaws at the roots of the world tree; and towering, imposing Frost Giants.