Verley said she saw the need for an event center with beautiful accommodations but for smaller gatherings.

“It is a very warm environment for smaller parties,” Verley said. “We have got places for big events but there is nothing that anyone has been able to tell me about that can suit 100 people and still be a really pretty environment.”

The road to becoming The Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center started 20 years ago when Dave Verley was looking to raise some type of animal on 5 acres of their property.

“That year at the fair I was drawn to the alpacas,” Verley said. “I had never paid much attention before but that year they really grabbed me, I always say once you get inside their eyes you never come out.”

THE RAINBOW PARTY Venue & Meeting Center is at W6139 U.S. 2 in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The Rainbow’s End name for the farm stemmed from a trip home from Green Bay, when they were deciding to get into the alpaca business.

“There was a black storm over Green Bay and when we got to Abrams a double rainbow came up and followed us all the way to Pembine,” Verley said. “When we got home we both said that is our sign, God is definitely pointing us in that direction and we knew we had to have the rainbow.”

The Verleys started their next venture, Rainbow Gifts, in 2008 in a small 195-square-foot building on the property.

Two years later, the gift shop was moved into a new 1,728-square-foot building, where it would draw customers from all over the country and even the world for its alpaca wool socks, yarns, apparel and other items.

Now Verley said she is looking to transition into something other than retail. She thought the gift shop building — with its privacy, view and fireplace — would be ideal to hold events of all types.

ALPACAS ARE STILL part of the scene at The Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center in Norway. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

The work converting Rainbow Gifts into an event center began in January, when all of the remaining inventory needed to be packed up. The building got a new paint job, the floors were redone and the office converted into a warming kitchen.

In addition to the fireplace that is the centerpiece to the room, the venue has a wrap-around deck for guests to enjoy the view, a serving counter/bar with electric service and limited use of the loft.

The Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center is completely handicap accessible, with plenty of parking available and plans to add more.

The new venue is suited for weddings, graduation parties, showers, reunions and family gatherings, corporate meetings or parties, celebrations of life or other events of up to 100 people. Alcohol can be served at events if an insurance rider is provided.

Verley notes that with its close proximity to hotels, the site would be a great place to have retreats.

RAINBOW GIFTS is being moved back into its original building. (Jim Paul/Daily News photo)

Verley is building relationships with vendors such as caterers and is compiling a list of recommended hotels. She added she has the services of an event planner who can provide assistance.

For those missing Rainbow Gifts, fear not — the gift shop is coming full circle and is moving back into the little building.

Verley hopes to have the gift shop open by appointment sometime in May. Many of the favorites will be back including alpaca yarn, teddy bears and, of course, the socks.

“As long as I am here, people will want my socks,” she said with a laugh.

Although the herd is down to 15 from a high of 42, the alpacas will still be there and can even be included in events.

“They are very much a part of who we are,” Verley said. “They will remain as long as Dave and I remain here.”

Verley will have the grand opening for The Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center from 6 to 8 p.m. May 3, with music from the group Datura and food from Crispigna’s Italian Market. A door prize will be given away. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance by Friday.

The Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center is at W6139 U.S. 2 in Norway. For information on having an event at Rainbow Party Venue & Meeting Center or for an appointment to shop at Rainbow Gifts, call 906-563-7034.