Valhalladay Anniversary Bash 2023

Valhalladay logo with crows
Valhalladay logo with crows

Valhalla Tasting Room Celebrates Three Years of Success with a Grand Anniversary Bash Benefiting Three Charities!

Kalamazoo, Michigan – The Valhalla tasting room, home of Norse Nectar Meadery, is gearing up to commemorate three incredible years of craft mead, community, and unforgettable memories with an anniversary bash that promises to be nothing short of legendary! On Saturday, October 21, 2023, Valhalla invites you to join in the revelry and be part of a celebration with a cause, supporting not one, not two, but three remarkable charities. 

This event is not just a celebration of Valhalla’s success but also a heartfelt opportunity to give back to the community that has embraced them so warmly. “It’s hard to believe it’s been three years already,” said Valhalla’s founder, Hunter Dodge. “We’ve been fortunate to be part of the vibrant Kalamazoo community, and we want to give back in a meaningful way. This anniversary bash is our way of saying ‘Skål’ to everyone who’s been a part of our journey!”

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
  • Time: Noon-Midnight
  • Location: Valhalla Kalamazoo, 3408 Miller Road, Kalamazoo, MI
  • Admission: Nonperishable food donation or money donation to the PIN: Pagans in Need Food Pantry.
  • Attire: We encourage guests to come dressed in Viking attire or come as you are.

Event Schedule

Live Music Schedule

  • 12:30-2:30 – Wandering Elderberries
  • 2:30-3:00 – The Druid Drummer
  • 3:00-3:20 – Betty Barker
  • 3:20-3:40 – Kate & Annie
  • 3:40-4:00 – Mike List
  • 4:00-4:20 – Panda Pete
  • 4:30-5:00 – The Druid Drummer
  • 5:00-5:20 – John Veld
  • 5:20-5:40 – Jen & Rob
  • 5:40-6:00 – Rob Spears

So mark your calendars, invite your friends, and join us at Valhalla on October 21, 2023, for an unforgettable anniversary bash filled with music, merriment, mead, and the spirit of giving. Together, we’ll raise a glass to three incredible years and a bright future ahead.

Event Highlights

 🪓 Axe Throwing: Test your warrior skills with axe-throwing sessions supervised by experts.
🛡️ Viking Encampment: Immerse yourself in the Viking experience with a captivating encampment. 
🎸 Live Music: Groove to the beats of local talents who’ll keep the party going all afternoon long.
🧔 Beard Competition: Show off your majestic facial hair in the beard competition! $10 entry fee, 100% to charity.
🔮 Tarot Reading: Discover what the future holds with intriguing tarot card readings. $20/15 minutes
🍔 Food Trucks: Chow down with some delicious grub. We’ll have one food truck in the afternoon and one in the evening. (Afternoon) Turbo Chicken and (Evening) Teresa’s Kitchen.
🎤 Karaoke: Sing the night away with fellow karaoke warriors. 

 

Charity Benefit

But it’s not just about fun and games! Valhalla is proud to give back to the community that has supported them. In the spirit of gratitude, the anniversary bash will be benefiting three remarkable local charities:

🏥 The American Red Cross: Supporting their mission of aiding disaster victims, collecting lifesaving blood, and supporting local families.
🥫 Pagans in Need Food Pantry: Helping to alleviate hunger in our community by providing essential food resources.
👟 First Day Shoe Fund: Ensuring that local children in need start their school year on the right foot with a brand-new pair of shoes.

More Information

For more information, please visit our website at www.norsenectar.com or contact our event coordinator, Jessa Boge0

A man in a hat with a long beard holds an item up from a vendor booth.
Three women dressed in Viking attire sit outs a Viking tent.
A man in Viking attire holds up an axe ready to throw at a target.
A man with a long beard drinking mead from a wooden cup.
Three older women dressed as shield maidens smile for the camera.
Teo men with impressive beards wearing Viking attire smile for the camera.
A woman poses with a rainbow crocheted beard.
A man in viking attire throws an axe at the target hitting all three targets.
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A view of the full tasting room with a line of patrons to get mead.
Three bartenders in Viking attire stand behind the bar taking orders.
A woman smiles holding two large horn mugs full of mead.
Three people with brightly dyed hair sit at a table together enjoying mead.
The patio sitting area is full of Viking clad patrons.
I musician stands at a microphone singing and playing guitar.
A group of men dressed as viking stand outside a vendor tent.
A woman sits reading a tarot card spread to a patron.
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Staff
Mel and Hunter

Skål to Three Years of Mead, Community, and Giving Back!

About Valhalla Tasting Room: Valhalla is the tasting room for Norse Nectar Meadery, offering traditional and innovative meads inspired by Norse mythology and steeped in the rich history of Kalamazoo, MI. Valhalla is committed to quality and community and provides a welcoming space for mead enthusiasts. The Valhalla tasting room is open to the public on Thursdays & Fridays from 5:00 p.m. until Midnight and Saturdays & Sundays from Noon until Midnight. Visit their site.

About Norse Nectar Meadery: Norse Nectar Meadery is a Kalamazoo-based craft meadery specializing in the production of small-batch meads inspired by the rich traditions of Norse mythology. Each mead is meticulously crafted using the finest ingredients and time-honored techniques, resulting in unique and delightful flavors that transport enthusiasts to the world of ancient Norse legends. Visit their site. 

About Valhalladay: Valhalladay is the birthday bash for Valhalla, held annually on the third Saturday in October. Guests are invited to dress up like Vikings (or not) for a day of live music, local vendors, food trucks, and entertainment. In the past, Valhalladay welcomed Michigan Fire Festival’s Viking encampment display, axe throwing, sword fighting demonstrations, and belly dancers. Entrance to Valhalladay is a suggested non-perishable food donation to the Pagans in Need (PIN) pantry.

About Kzoo Whisker Crew: The Kzoo Whisker Crew was formed in 2017 to promote competitive bearding while hosting events and competitions to raise funds for local and national charities. No facial hair is required for membership, just a love for all things facial hair! Kzoo Whisker Crew monthly member meetings are held every third Sunday of the month from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Visit their site. 

About Pagans In Need (PIN) Pantry: Pagans In Need is a food pantry located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, filled and maintained by community supporters to meet the needs of those who might be temporarily food-insecure. Pantry Eligibility: Self-Declaration of Need. ❤️ Everyone is welcome, regardless of religion. Grocery pick-up is between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. Visit their Facebook Group. 

Ragnarok Challenge – Charity Drive

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Norse Nectar Meadery's Valhalla Tasting Room Announces "The Ragnarök Challenge." The Valhalla Valkyries vs. The Kzoo Whisker Crew in a Battle of Ragnarök Readiness.

Kalamazoo, Michigan – The Valhalla tasting room is thrilled to introduce “The Ragnarök Challenge,” a unique competition that will test the mettle of two rival teams as they strive to become more Ragnarök-ready by Valhalladay. The Valhalla Valkyries will go head-to-head with the Kzoo Whisker Crew, battling it out to see who can shed the most weight before Valhalladay on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

This exciting challenge will kick off with the first weigh-in on Saturday, August 19, 2023, and continue with weekly weigh-ins every Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm throughout the competition. Participants will be required to pay $10 per person for each weigh-in.

Valhalla selected the American Red Cross as the beneficiary of this competition’s fundraising efforts. The American Red Cross holds a special place in Valhalla’s heart as they provided invaluable support to two staff members during challenging times this summer. Their assistance after a devastating house fire and a life-threatening medical issue has left an indelible gratitude Valhalla aims to express through this initiative.

Participants will follow their own weight loss plans, embracing various strategies to achieve their goals. Moreover, Missy McCullough at My Pure Health Solutions in Battle Creek, MI, has generously become a sponsor for “The Ragnarok Challenge,” offering her expertise and support to four Valhalla participants.

Valhalla invites members of the community to join in the excitement by attending the weekly weigh-ins, showing their support for the Valkyries and the Kzoo Whisker Crew, and through donations to the Norse Nectar American Red Cross page. This friendly competition encourages personal growth and self-improvement and enables the community to contribute to a meaningful cause.

For more information about “The Ragnarök Challenge” and the Valhalla tasting room, please visit our website at www.norsenectar.com or contact us at nyx@norsenectar.com. Follow us on social media to stay updated on the progress of our warriors and the impact we are making together. Facebook and Instagram @ValhallaKzoo.

American Red Cross Logo

Cheer Us On. Make a Donation.

About Valhalla Tasting Room:

Valhalla is the tasting room for Norse Nectar Meadery, offering traditional and innovative meads inspired by Norse mythology and steeped in the rich history of Kalamazoo, MI. Valhalla is committed to quality and community and provides a welcoming space for mead enthusiasts. The Valhalla tasting room is open to the public Thursdays & Fridays from 5:00 pm until Midnight and Saturdays & Sundays from Noon until Midnight.

About Norse Nectar Meadery: 

Norse Nectar Meadery is a Kalamazoo-based craft meadery specializing in the production of small-batch meads inspired by the rich traditions of Norse mythology. Each mead is meticulously crafted using the finest ingredients and time-honored techniques, resulting in unique and delightful flavors that transport enthusiasts to the world of ancient Norse legends. 

About Valhalladay: 

Valhalladay is the birthday bash for Valhalla, held annually on the third Saturday in October. October 21, 2023, will be the third annual event. Guests are invited to dress up like Vikings (or not) for a day of live music, local vendors, food trucks, and entertainment. In the past, Valhalladay welcomed Michigan Fire Festival’s Viking encampment display, axe throwing, sword fighting demonstrations, and belly dancers. Entrance to Valhalladay is a suggested non-perishable food donation to the Pagans in Need (PIN) pantry.

About Kzoo Whisker Crew:

The Kzoo Whisker Crew was formed in 2017 to promote competitive bearding while hosting events and competitions to raise funds for local and national charities. No facial hair is required for membership, just a love for all things facial hair! Kzoo Whisker Crew monthly member meetings are held every third Sunday of the month from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.  Visit their site.

Valhalla: Kalamazoo meadery with all the Viking feels.

Customers ordering drinks from the bar at the Valhalla tasting room.
Customers ordering drinks from the bar at the Valhalla tasting room.

Valhalla: Kalamazoo meadery with all the Viking feels.

Mark Wedel stopped by for some mead and wrote an article about Valhalla for Second Wave Media. 

Here is an excerpt from the article. Read the full article here.

MARK WEDEL | THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

Mead in a beer town
The meadery also makes and serves beer, their City Union brand. “We lose about 15% of our potential business because people walk in, they find out we’re mead, and they don’t want to try it,” Dodge says.

Kalamazoo is dominated by craft beer and brewpubs — how do you sell honey wine in a beer town?