FINLAND, Minn. — Every year, this unincorporated community celebrates the Finnish-American mythological hero St. Urho.
Folks are busily preparing for the 48th annual St. Urho's celebration Friday through Sunday. This year's theme is "St. Urho '23 and Me."
"It's a nod to the year, 2023, but also to genealogy and ancestry, as those are both popular things right now," said festival organizer Honor Schauland. "The committee got to joking around about the St. Urho family and a bunch of fun ways to incorporate that."
One such way is by creating a St. Urho family tree out of papier-mache. On it, Schauland said they placed photos of prominent people in Finland and/or those who have helped out with the festival. Most of those listed have passed away.
"It's a nice way to honor those who have helped make the festival what it is," Schauland said.
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Festival attendees are encouraged, as always, to wear purple and green to signify their relation to St. Urho.
But who is this St. Urho, anyway? He's the fictitious saint of Finland who is claimed to have driven the grasshoppers out of the European nation. The holiday originated on the Iron Range in the 1950s and has spread across the state and parts of the country. The town in Lake County has been holding a celebration of the saint for almost as long and has built up its own traditions.
A lot of people have driven through town and found themselves there by accident. They'd be like 'Why is the highway shut down?' and end up watching the parade.
One such tradition is the crowning of Miss Helmi, who Schauland explained is "kind of St. Urho's girlfriend." The festival kicks off 6 p.m. Friday with the Miss Helmi talent show and beauty pageant. The event travels to locations throughout town and at the last stop, the winner of the pageant is crowned Miss Helmi and will be included in the parade the following morning.
The various restaurants and bars of Finland will also have live music and food and drink specials throughout the evening.
Events start up again Saturday morning with live music, craft vendors and the Finland Minnesota Historical Society's pancake breakfast at the Clair Nelson Center. Outdoor music will run from 11 a.m.-noon, when the parade begins.
The parade starts, as usual, with a tug-of-war on the bridge across the Baptism River on state Highway 1. Schauland said the parade is essentially the largest feature of the festival.
"A lot of people have driven through town and found themselves there by accident," Schauland said. "They'd be like, 'Why is the highway shut down?' and end up watching the parade. And then they find themselves coming back every year. Because there's just a little something for everyone."
Following the parade, there will be kids games, a craft fair, music by the Northern Stars and a mojakka lunch at the Clair Nelson Center. Mojakka is a Finnish version of stew.
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Music will continue by the Finland Fire Hall by Steven Solkela and the Beserk Blondes and by other artists around town for the next several hours.
Visit friendsoffinland.org/st-urho-2023-schedule for the full schedule of events.
The Trust Project
