Photo by Sugar Goette
A giant KIITOS (THANK YOU) to all of the people who helped to make the 50th Annual St. Urho’s Celebration happen. From all of those who help put the sign up over the highway, to the folks in the parade, to all the raffle ticket sellers, to the businesses that helped out by donating or selling raffle tickets and buttons, and to the businesses and folks who participated in the ‘Stamp Game’… you all help make this event happen. Thank you so much!
A general thank you to the whole crowd and community who show up in purple and green and help spread St Urho’s cheer. Some of you have been showing off your Finlander spirit for 50 years! We appreciate you all!
Big thanks to the outstanding bunch that put on Miss Helmi, the great contestants this year and their helpers, and to the kind folks at Our Place for feeding the crew afterwards. The Miss Helmi 2025 winner is Tom Campbell. Thanks to Adam’s Auto Value SB for providing the bus and an especially big thanks to our driver, Gus! Also big thanks to past Miss Helmis, Demetrius Hill 2022, Jonathan Beauchane 2023, and Shawn Nowotczynski 2024 for being good sports and helping make the show bigger and better this year, to Lindsey Dietz for choreography, and to the sound crew – Jeffrey, Chris and Lindsey. Special recognition to Patrick Ramsdell for being such a terrific Master of Ceremonies.
Thanks to all who helped out at the Float Workshop, especially all of the artistic community kids who helped create the Grand Marshal Float, the Miss Helmi Float, and the Finland Community Youth Program Float.
Thank you to Tina Kreger Buus for organizing our parade this year! Thank you to our color guard, and to all of the creative people with their amazing parade floats! You guys all rock! Thank you to our Grand Marshal Joretta Nikula and to her family members for making sure she was able to be there! Thanks to Arlene Conzelman for her work on the Grand Marshal float. And a big thanks to our parade judges (Sugar Goette, Miranda Bischoff, and Miranda Sve) and to Pat Ramsdell (Herbie) for making the awesome trophies!
Thanks so much to Kaare Melby for all the work on livestreaming, photos, and graphics. People really do comment about how much they appreciate it!
Thanks to FMHS and especially to Danette this year for all the work on the pancake breakfast! It wouldn’t be St. Urho’s Day without pancakes and grape juice!
Big thanks to Robin Sunquiet for setting up and decorating the outdoor stage, to Robin and Steve Solkela and the Hauliwood Dreams band for playing music outside during the day, to Teresa Aho and the Northern Stars for playing at the Clair Nelson Center, and to Lovin Lake County for sponsoring the whole thing.
Thanks to Meghan Mitchell and the Finland Food Chain team for making mojakka for lunch at the Clair Nelson Center after the parade.
Thanks to Crystal Bay Township for providing port-a-potties for the weekend! All of us really appreciate it!
We also want to acknowledge Adam’s Auto Value for sponsoring and providing the sober cab (bus) – it really is a great option and helps keep everyone safe! Thanks so, so much!
Huge shout-out to all the individuals and businesses who donated for the online auction and for door prizes for the raffle ticket drawing this year! There were so many beautiful items donated. Thank you so much! Thank you bidders! And the donated door prizes really help to make the drawing a festive event.
- Adam’s Auto Value
Miss Helmi 2025 – photo by Sugar Goette
- Amber Klinker – Scentsy
- AmericInn by Wyndham Tofte
- Baptism River Barbecue Co.
- Black Beach Inn by GrandStay
- Blackbear Outfitters – Dick Krech
- Black Beach Mini Golf
- Bluefin Bay Resort
- Briesa’s Convenience Store
- Clearview General Store
- Cove Point Lodge
- Creating My Journey – Jessie Anderson
- D&D Services
- Dave & Heidi Hove
- Dave McDonough and Crash & Burn Racing
- Don’s Auto Repair & Towing
- Donna McCurdy-Wolke – Avon & Color Street Nails
- Finland Cooperative Company
- Finland Fire Department
- Finland MN Historical Society
- Finland Snowmobile / ATV Club
- Finnskogen Farm – Kaare & Pam Melby
- Fish Out Of Water
- Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar
- Happy Wanderers
- Holiday Stationstore Beaver Bay
- Hugo’s Bar
- J&H Auto Repair & Towing
- Jen’s North Shore Nursery
- Julie’s True Value
- Just Plain Sorrel – Christine & Libby Althaus
- Knotted Pine Inn & Tavern
- Lauri Hohman
- North Shore Federal Credit Union
- Northwoods Family Grille
- Organic Consumers Association
- Our Place
- Paparazzi & Thirty One Gifts – Debbie Ahlbeck
- SalonHaven
- Silver Bay Municipal Bar & Liquor Store
- Silver Bowl
- Temperance Traders
- The Green Door
- Timber Coffee Co.
- Wildhurst Lodge & Campground
- Zup’s Food Market – Silver Bay
- Zup’s Flower Shop & Dollar Store
St Urho’s Day 50th Annual parade in Finland MN – photo by Sugar Goette
Thanks to Senja Ahlbeck-Bates and Heather Sve for all of their work to gather door prizes and online auction items.
Thanks also to Thrivent Financial and those who filled out Thrivent Action Teams to support this event!
Thanks to Senja, Heather, Arlene & Keith Chmielewski for coordinating the fireworks show and Jon Nelson (Palisade Firewood) for providing the firewood for the fire on Saturday night. The fireworks were AWESOME and the whole event with the bonfire and s’mores was really nice. Thank you to those who braved the weather and came out to enjoy the show!
Big thanks to Jeff, Pam, and the staff at the Four Seasons for all the extra work and logistics of the tent and outdoor music. It really helped make the 50th annual event special.
Huge thanks to Bob, Dianne, Mason, Tina, and the crew at the Our Place for going all out this year for the 50th annual and for hosting the raffle ticket drawing. Big thanks to everyone who helped out the day of the drawing! Extra special thanks to Pat Ramsdell for doing all the talking.
Thanks again to Lovin’ Lake County for all the support!
Thanks again to all for supporting St. Urho’s Day! It really does take the whole town and then some to put on this event, so to everyone who helps – THANK YOU! We’ll see you next year for the 51st annual, or as we have been joking, the 2nd annual 50th event! Here’s to 50 more years!
With so much love and gratitude,
The St. Urho Committee
**St. Urho 2025 Rundown:
St Urho’s Day 50th Annual parade in Finland MN – Photo by Brandon Swanson
Raffle prizes were as follows:
- 1st prize $650 – James Edstrom of Eveleth, MN (ticket sold by Kayla Schaefer)
- 2nd prize $350 – Jim Zupancich of Babbitt, MN (ticket sold by Four Seasons)
- 3rd prize $250 – Adam Kofstad of Silver Bay, MN (ticket sold by Adam’s Automotive)
- 4th prize $150 – Sue Butler of Finland, MN (ticket sold by the Trestle Inn)
Parade prizes went to:
- Most Original: Diane Helander – Finland MN Historical Society Float
- Most Traditional: Heather Sve – Hopper Stopper Taksi
- Best of Show: Hooterville
The Tug of War was won by the north side of the bridge both times. Very close, intense matches each time!
Yearbook (stamp) game prizes went to:
- Phil Brayley $50
- Sarah Gagner $100
- Liz Wilde $150
Getting ready for the St Urho’s Day 50th Annual parade in Finland MN – photo by Lori Nikula Driscoll
Finland’s 50th Annual St Urho’s Celebration Schedule of Events
2025 Button Design. Buy yours at participating businesses!
Theme – St Urho: 50 Years of Grasshoppers and Grapes
St Urho Online Auction: Bidding starts March 9th at Noon and ends on March 16th at 7pm! Place your bid here: https://new.biddingowl.com/Urho2025
Friday, March 14th –
5-8pm – Live music at the Four Seasons by Bump Blomberg and Friends
6-8pm – Live music at the Our Place by Jeff Mitchell
6-8pm – Miss Helmi Talent and Beauty Contest – various stops around town
8pm-Midnight – DJ and Karaoke at the Four Seasons by Upbeat Entertainment (Tara)
Saturday, March 15th –
All day – Outdoor beer garden, warming area with campfire, famous Bloody Marys, food specials, and a hot bartender at the Our Place.
8-10am – Finland MN Historical Society’s Pancake Breakfast, and Craft Vendors at the Clair Nelson Center
9am-All Day – Bloody Mary bar under the tent at Four Seasons
11am – Noon – Outdoor music at the Finland Fire Hall by Robin Sunquiet
11am-Noon – Live music at the Our Place by Jeff Mitchell
Noon – Tug of War across the Baptism River
Before, during, and after the parade – Finland Fire and Rescue will be selling refreshments outside the Finland Fire Hall
Before and during the parade – 10am-2pm – Hot cocoa, campfire, and Bazaar fundraiser at the Finland Community Nature Childcare
Noon-1 pm – Parade through Finland on Highway 1. Call Tina Buus at 612-327-6925 to register for the parade
1-4pm – Clair Nelson Center – Craft Fair, Kids Games, Mojakka Lunch, and Music by Teresa Aho and the Northern Stars
1-3pm – Outdoor music at the Finland Fire Hall by Steven Solkela and the Hauliwood Dreams
After the parade – Wildhurst will have food and beer specials
After the parade – Live music at the Four Seasons by Bump Blomberg and Friends
After the parade – Live music at the Our Place by Jeff Mitchell
3-6pm Live music at the Four Seasons by Brody and the Bootleggers
7-10pm – Live music at the Four Seasons by the South Paws
8pm-9pm – Fireworks show at the ballfield at the Clair Nelson Center – Bonfire and s’mores – bring the whole family!
Sunday, March 16th – All at Our Place
3-4pm – Door Prize drawings
4pm – Raffle Ticket drawing
4:30pm – Yearbook Game drawing
7pm – Online Auction ends
Supported by Lovin’ Lake County and Welcome to Finland
By the St Urho Committee
St Urho’s 50th Annual event is coming fast! The theme is St Urho’s Golden Year: 50 Years of Grasshoppers and Grapes. Lots of fun activities are in store. We are hoping to see you all here in Finland Minnesota, March 14th, 15th and 16th!
The Passport Game is now the Yearbook Game!
In the leadup to the big weekend, we will be playing the Passport Game again, but we are calling it the Yearbook Game to celebrate 50 years of grasshoppers and grapes! Starting March 6th, you can stop by the Finland Co-op or the Clair Nelson Center to pick up your very own yearbook, then travel around the area to get your yearbook stamped at local area businesses. You will get a list of participating businesses with your yearbook. Your goal is to get more than 10 stamps in your yearbook to be entered in a drawing with cash prizes. Bring your yearbook to the Raffle ticket drawing by 3pm on March 16th at Our Place Inc. in Finland Minnesota. Yearbooks will be entered into one of 3 drawings, depending on how many stamps they have. Cash prizes for the drawings vary from between $50 – $150. We encourage you to make a purchase when you visit participating businesses. Support the local businesses that support all of us!
St Urho Float Workshop is back March 7th, 8th, & 9th!
The St Urho Float Workshop is back this year on March 7th, 8th & 9th, 11am-3pm at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland. Join us as we build our own floats in preparation for St Urho’s
The St Urho Family Tree in 2023.
parade at noon on March 15th!
Our plan for the group project community float is to rebuild the St Urho Family Tree and decorate it together. Who should be featured in the St Urho Family Tree? We’d like to include portraits of prominent Finlanders from the last 100 years or so – or any other folks who have helped make our St Urho’s Celebration or our community a better place and have since passed on. Your imagination is the limit here. Bring us copies of photos, drawings, or portraits and we will incorporate them into the tree, or you can make your own large-size versions to hang or attach to the tree as ornaments. We still have the photos from the 2023 Urho Family Tree that we will be using but we don’t want to miss anyone.
We will also be constructing a giant grasshopper for the Finland Community Youth Program float! We will need brown paper bags as we will be paper macheing the family tree and other items. There will also be painting and sign making to be done. We could use your help! Anyone is also welcome to come and work on their own float or costume project – some materials will be provided.
Refreshments will be served at the workshop. All float-building and craft skill levels are welcome!
For questions about the Float Workshop, please call Arlene at 218-353-0300.
More fun activities than ever for the big weekend!
Along with the favorites from every year, plans are in the works for some fun extras for the 50th Annual event. Starting at 8pm on the evening of Saturday March 15th, there will be fireworks from the ballfield at the Clair Nelson Center. There will also be a bonfire and s’mores near the field for folks who want to come enjoy the fireworks show. Bring the whole family!
More info and a full schedule of events will be released soon! Check www.facebook.com/sturho to stay up to date!
The Friends of Finland (FoF) board of directors would like to update our community on the most recent changes within the organization. Most of the community is aware that a new Executive Director was hired for a short period of time. A situation like this is usually handled as an Interim (probational) position to make sure that the new hire is a good fit for the organization. After 2 months, a progress review, and feedback from the new hire and employees, it was decided that the arrangement was not upholding the mission of the Friends of Finland Organization, and the board of directors unanimously voted to terminate employment for that position.
Since last summer, there has been a turnover of all FoF board members. As of January 20th, the Friends of Finland board of directors (most of us one to three weeks seated) are all fresh and plan to shepherd the organization forward with a new start. We realize that there have been delayed community communications, confusion, and uncertainty in the direction the organization has been headed in the past 7 months. We apologize to the community members, employees (current & past), contractors, Crystal Bay Township Board, grantors and stakeholders, and others that may have been affected by the turmoil.
We recognize that the previous board navigated through an unprecedented and difficult situation that any volunteer board would find challenging. Moving forward, as a new board of directors’ team, our plan is to focus on the mission of FoF while responsibly and prudently gaining an understanding of where the organization is and to cooperatively build a good working relationship between employees, Crystal Bay Township, and the FoF board members. Our aspirations are to keep in mind the desires of the community and the ways in which the Clair Nelson Community Center building provides value to all of us. This process of rebuilding organizational finances, trust, and goodwill, as well as providing a place for healing and renewal, will take time.
With gratitude and hope, Friends of Finland Board (Carrie Walters, David Abazs, Kelly Ulrich, Kurt Mead, Lucy Carlson, Joe Walewski)
By: Kaare Melby
As I look out at the brand-new and beautifully crafted outdoor oven here at the Clair Nelson Center, I can’t help but think back to early 2022 when I started writing one of the grant narratives that ended up funding the construction of our new wood-fired oven. What I wrote then struck me as even more impactful now:
“Culture lives in shared space. Our ancestors were forced to share resources as a matter of survival and through that necessity, they maintained community connection and cohesion. Together they laughed, they sang, they told stories, and they shared experiences. As modernity removed the necessity of shared space, people naturally began to drift apart. Rather than a side effect of survival, our relationships became difficult to maintain. This truth has been amplified with the pandemic and an increasingly divided political culture. We now understand that shared space has to be intentionally created in order to strengthen community cohesion and maintain local culture. We also understand that people are attracted to healthy, happy, functional and cohesive communities. So we have decided to build a community hearth that can draw our community together and invite new people in.”
Relationship is at the heart of everything. We know that the bonds between individuals are what create the strength in our community, and we know those bonds are strengthened when we spend time together. Now that we have this oven, it’s time for us to find a way to create an inviting space that will help our community thrive. There are lots of ideas, from pizza night, to having a community baking day, and we are sure there are many more ideas, too! No matter how it ends up getting used, we just can’t wait to see you all together enjoying the space.
If you have a fun idea of how we can use this new oven, please let us know by giving us a call: 218-353-0300
Important: This oven does require knowledge and skill to be used, please do not attempt to use it without a trained staff member. At this point we are still figuring out a system for public use, and we will share that system with all of you once it’s ready.
If you would like to support more work like this, please consider making a donation here.
This project was made possible through generous grants from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
