This year, an exciting new addition will be introduced to the Great Forest Day in Hallormsstaðaskógur: a disc golf tournament on the course located just a short walk from the festival grounds. In fact, the tournament will kick off the day’s events and will be organised by local disc golf enthusiasts from East Iceland.

The Great Forest Day is an annual family festival held in the woodland area known as Mörkin at Hallormsstaður around Midsummer. Farmers from across East Iceland play an active role in the celebration, including forest farmers, cattle farmers and sheep farmers. Visitors have the opportunity to sample a variety of local agricultural products while enjoying a packed programme of games, entertainment, music and family activities.

Forest-themed games, challenges and crafts are a key part of the festival. Children can try their hand at whittling, painting on wood, climbing trees and many other activities inspired by the forest environment.

The highlight of the day is always the Icelandic Forestry Sports Championship. Experienced forestry workers compete against one another using chainsaws, axes and other forestry tools in a series of demanding and highly skilled events. The qualifying rounds begin at noon just outside the main festival area, while the final event takes place on the festival grounds and promises to be as exciting as ever.

These forestry sports competitions place a strong emphasis on technique and precision. Competitors demonstrate their skills with chainsaws and axes by completing tasks such as cutting perfectly even wooden discs and even splitting an egg with an axe. Generous prizes are sponsored by the wholesale company MHG.

The stage in Mörkin will host a variety of musical performances throughout the day, featuring musicians from East Iceland, with a special emphasis on young performers, including students from Egilsstaðir Upper Secondary School, Menntaskólinn á Egilsstöðum.

And, of course, no Great Forest Day would be complete without the food. Large quantities of sausages will be grilled throughout the day, while local cattle farmers will prepare a whole roasted beef, continuing a long-standing festival tradition. Sheep farmers will also offer grilled lamb. Visitors can enjoy traditional coffee brewed over an open fire, prepared in the foresters’ style, together with the beloved forest pancakes that have become a hallmark of the celebration.

The Great Forest Day is a collaborative event involving numerous organisations and community groups from across East Iceland. Land and Forest Iceland’s Hallormsstaður station plays a leading role in organising the festival, alongside the East Iceland Forest Farmers’ Association, the Cattle Farmers’ Association and the Sheep Farmers’ Association.