Members of Leif Ericson Viking Ship Inc. (LEVS) invite the community to celebrate Leif Ericson Day by witnessing the sailing of the Norseman, a 40-foot Viking ship replica, on Marsh Creek Lake on Sunday, Oct. 9.

LEVS membership chairman Hildegard Lindstrom explained that in 1964, the U.S. Congress, by joint resolution, declared Oct. 9 as Leif Ericson Day; the sail is always held on or near that date.

The launching of the ship will take place at 11 a.m. by costumed Viking re-enactors from the western launch area of Marsh Creek Lake. The GPS address for the location is 800 N. Reeds Road, Downingtown. Visitors will be invited to take a closer look at the Norseman in the water and talk with the crew.

At noon, there will be introductions of honored guests, as well as the reading of a proclamation from the president of the United States and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." At the conclusion of the ceremony, a wreath will be dedicated in honor of the life and accomplishments of Leif Ericson. The Norseman will then sail until about 2:30 p.m.

LEVS, a Chester County-based nonprofit, is a living history educational organization that was formed to educate people about the Viking people and Leif Ericson, the first European known to have discovered and settled on the North American continent. On the day of the sail, the group will have souvenir T-shirts that say, "Leif Landed First," along with books and other merchandise.

Crew members sail the ship on Marsh Creek Lake each year, and they also make appearances at various festivals and events. "We took part in the Kennett Square Memorial Day parade, and in July, we sailed on Lake Chautauqua during the Scandinavian Folk Festival at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, N.Y," said Lindstrom. "In August, we went to a Swedish Festival in Mount Jewett in western Pennsylvania. For Labor Day weekend, we were at Scandinavian Fest in northern New Jersey."

LEVS members, dressed in authentic Viking-style clothing, also bring the ship to local elementary schools and present educational programs. This fall, the group has plans to visit West Bradford, Brandywine Wallace, Springton Manor and Lionville elementary schools in the Downingtown Area School District.

LEVS is seeking people to join the group and help to maintain the ship. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/LEVS.Norseman or contact Lindstrom. The event at Marsh Creek Lake will be held rain or shine, unless there is a downpour or high winds.