Valdres 2009

In honor of the 110th anniversary of the Valdres Samband, a Valdres Samband stevne will be held in Valdres, Norway on September 1-6, 2009. Having the trip in September creates opportunities for new experiences.

Borton Overseas, which helped organize the 2004 Valdres Samband trip to Valdres and will be accepting registrations for the 2009 trip. Linda (Palmer) McCormick, who is the Scandinavian Director at Borton Overseas and who went on the 2004 trip, is organizing the 2009 trip in conjunction with Jahn Børe Jahnsen.

Tuesday, September 1: Buses from Oslo to the hotel in Fagernes, with a stop at the Hadeland Glass Works. Welcome ceremony that evening in the hotel garden with speech by the mayor of North Aurdal.

Thursday, September 3: "Stølsflytting" (walking cattle home from the mountain farms) as your ancestors did in the old days. Small groups will be under the strict guidance of host farmers. Activity depends on the willingness of a sufficient number of farmers. Activity involves slow walking (pace determined by the cattle) on gravel roads for many hours; part distance participation possible. Alternatives may include taking part in milking, making cheese, etc. on mountain farms. This day's activities in preliminary planning and subject to change.

Friday, September 4: Bus and steamboat tours of West Slidre, Vang, and East Slidre. Two groups because of the capacity of the steamboat. Group 1: West Slidre and Vang with stops at Slidre church, Vang runestone, and Øye stave church, ending at Eidsbugarden on the west end of Lake Bygdin. Group 2: East Slidre with a stop at Hegge stave church ending at the east end of Lake Bygdin, followed by a 1 hour and 45 minute cruise on the 1912 steamboat "Bitihorn." The groups come together for lunch at the Fondsbu hotel. Group 1 then takes the steamboat cruise and visits East Slidre, while Group 2 heads through West Slidre and Vang. Both groups will have an opportunity to meet the mayors of East and West Slidre.

Evening program at the hotel: Modern Valdres with lectures and young entertainers.

Saturday, September 5: Walking tour through Fagernes (150 years old in 2007) to the annual "Landbruksdagen" at the Valdres Folk Museum. This is Vadlres farmers market with food samples, arts and cracts, and other products; a cattle show, exhibit of both old and new farm machinery. A guided tour of the museum includes a new exhibition building, cafe, old open houses, the pioneer log house from Iowa, etc. Shopping in Fagernes is an option.

Evening program at the hotel: Tours on the lake in Viking ships, Viking games, and "agalause gokarsstykkje" (awesome good guys show off!).

Sunday, September 6: Buses to Høre in Vang with a stop at the Einang runestone. Service at the Høre stave church. Pilgrim procession to the church and stevne procession back to the Høre School. Wreath laying at the Torstein Veblen Memorial. Lunch at the school with local entertainment and a speech by Vang's mayor.

More details on travel arrangements and pricing will be available at the stevne in Austin, or mailed to you at that time (if you have registered for the trip and are not attending the Austin stevne).

September is usually cooler, clearer and darker than June. Maybe rain, maybe sun. It is impossible to cover all small side roads, or all 35 churches of Valdres, not even all the 9 medieval churches. But you are free to spend some time with relatives and look up family farms, and we will help you. Contact Jahn Børe Jahnsen for assistance and ideas.

Borton Overseas will give Valdres Samband members flexibility in travel planning so they get the most satisfaction out of their trip. Members will be able to discuss their travel needs directly with the Scandinavian Specialists at Borton Overseas, who can tailor the arrangements to your wishes. Specific pre- and post-stevne arrangements will be available. Those who have never visited Norway will find escorted or independent arrangements that fit their interests and budget, while seasoned travelers will find opportunities to create their own experience. Those arrangements will include car rental, hotel arrangements, rail travel and ore! Borton Overseas will have group departures on flights, but will also be able to assist those whose travel dates do not coincide with group dates. To discuss personal options and reservations, ask to speak to a Scandinavian Specialist at

An initial $50 deposit is requested for any person/family interested in attending the stevne, and receiving future mailings with more details on program, tours, and pricing. This deposit is refundable prior to March 1, 2009. March 1, 2009 a second deposit will be required for your arrangements. Final payment will be in mid to late June 2009. Payments will be made to orton Overseas.


Fagernes	Fagernes Hotel	Lunde Bridge	Hegge Stave Church

Valdres Samband

The Oldest Bygdelag in America - 1899

Stevne in Norway 2009

September 1-6, 2009

Quality Hotel & Resort Fagernes