Mission Statement:  Our focus is providing the highest quality Viking age living history experience possible.  We primarily participate in events for the purpose of educating the public about our areas of interest.

About Our Group:  We were formed in late 2008 to meet a need for "Viking" (Dark Ages/early Medieval) reenactment & living history in Michigan, USA.  In 2011, we encamped at Mayfaire (Marshall, MI), Enchanted Lakes (Angola, Indiana), Michiana Rensissance Faire (Mishawaka, IN) and Grand Valley Renaissance Faire (Allendale, MI). In addition to our normal public living history events, we also host an annual Yule Feast in Charlotte, MI for members and friends of the group in mid-January.

We are an independent group not affiliated with the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) or any other national/international Viking-age reenactment groups.  The group is focused on the history and life of the dark ages and demonstrating our knowledge and skills to the public.  All religious beliefs are tolerated within the group, and we do not promote or deny any religion.

What We Do: Vikings of the Great Lakes set up a complete "Viking Village" — tents, cooking area, dining area, crafts displays, and a trade blanket. Members wear historically-accurate costumes and participate in period activities such as woodworking, blacksmithing, sewing, weaving, cooking, and games.  After-hours, we enjoy a hot meal and socialize around the fire.  Our number one rule is to HAVE FUN and enjoy yourself! 

Who Can Join:  All persons over 18 years of age (and their minor children) with an interest in historical reenactment within roughly 100 miles of Lansing, Michigan.  We have members from throughout Lower Michigan, and welcome folks from the northern counties of Indiana and parts of NW Ohio as well.  It's largely a proximity thing — VotGL members should never have to drive more than 2-3 hours to attend scheduled events.

Membership Guidelines: Prospective members should have reliable transportation to events and be financially able to purchase (or make) the garb and kit necessary to properly represent a persona from our time period.  Members should be able to camp on-site to participate in our events.  Everyone is required to learn basic Viking-age history, camp skills (setup/tear-down/fire-making, etc), and at least one handicraft.  Remember, we are a group, not a collection of individuals doing his/her own thing. 

Whom Do You Portray?:  We mostly represent Scandinavians of one sort or another from roughly 800-1066 AD.  Suomi (Finns), Anglo-Danes, Germans, Frisians, Irish have all been represented though. Members represent common folk from the Viking era, with the exception of Olaf, our Jarl.  We typically portray craftspeople, soldiers, servants, and thralls affiliated with Jarl Olaf.
  

  Photo Gallery --

1) Sorcha does dyeing and weaving, 2) Drago and his wares, 3) Einar the Timbrsmiðr (wood-smith), 4) Joint of venison on the new spit,
5) Olaf plays Ric Roc at tafl, 6) Dinner!, 7) The bread-stone heats up, 8) Warriors participate in a no-budget film at Mayfaire.