The 42nd Annual St Urho’s Celebration in Finland MN Wrap-up
March 17th, 18th and 19th was the 42nd Annual St Urho’s Day Celebration. The theme was Urhopalooza! 3 Days of Grasshoppers and Grapes. As always, the theme was open to interpretation, but the idea was originally about what would happen if Finlanders put on a music festival.
It was an amazing weekend! The parade on Saturday and all the other activities were great. So much creativity was on display!
Raffle winners:
1st Prize – $600: won by Holly Lorntson of Finland MN
2nd Prize – $300: won by Brad Anderson of Finland MN
3rd Prize – $200: won by Mary Suelflow of Marshall MN
4th Prize – $100: won by Mike Wery of Daggett MI
5th Prize – $100: won by Ric Carriveau of Finland MN
6th Prize – $100: won by Bill Truscott of Two Harbors MN
Miss Helmi:
Han Taylor of Silver Bay won the Miss Helmi Contest Friday night with his astonishing Britney Spears dance moves. Other contestants were Ryan Paulson as Janis Hoppalin and Christopher Pearson as Dolly Partonen, and they all did very well. Owen Klinker and Pat Ramsdell were the intrepid emcees, dressed as Bill and Ted from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Jeffrey Mitchell Jr, Kaare Melby, Matt Tyler, Chris Homyak, Heather Sve, Melinda Suelflow, Erin Thompson and Honor Schauland served as sound crew, handlers and support crew. Big thanks to the Tom Schramm Band for allowing the use of their sound equipment in the West Branch. Also, thanks to Papa Jeff Mitchell for lending us your van.
Tug of War
West Branch swept the Ladies Tug of War this year, and the Mens was really close until Lauri Hohman jumped in at the last minute to tip the balance to the Our Place side. There is an amazing video on the St Urho Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sturho/
Thank Yous and Acknowledgements:
Thank you to all of the individuals and businesses who help us out in many ways, large and small, to put on St Urho’s Weekend in Finland. Thanks in particular this year to Jeff Berquist and State Farm for your support for the parade for the past few years. Thanks to Fuzzy for hauling plywood for the float workshop and to all those who donated cardboard and supplies. Thanks always to RVB and the crew who put up the sign across the highway. Big thanks to Sheriff Carey Johnson this year for assisting with our parade permit. Thank you to Princess Cheri Bischoff for a wonderful parade. Thanks to all of the folks who braved the wind to participate in the parade. Thanks to Adam’s Automotive for providing the Sober Cab for so many people. Thanks to all the volunteers at the Clair Nelson Center who helped provide food and fun for all ages on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who sold buttons and raffle tickets to help raise the money to put on the whole shindig. Thanks to AmericInn Silver Bay, AmericInn Tofte, Rick Carlson, Norshor Agency, the Lake Bank, Northwoods Family Grille, Hy Fashion, Quilt Corner, North Shore Federal Credit Union, Vicki’s License, Jimmy’s Pizza, Julie’s Variety, North Shore Barber, Beaver Bay Mobil, North Shore Oil, Zups, Don’s Auto, Camp 61, Teddy’s Plumbing, Four Seasons, Our Place, Northern Lights, Salon Haven, Wildhurst, West Branch, Finland Co-op, Maxwells, and Maple Grove Bait for their generous donations for the raffle drawing door prizes. Thanks to Elwood and Carol Youngberg for donating and their hard work collecting the door prizes. Thanks a million to anyone we forgot! See you next year in March!
Some friends and i would like to attend at least one day of your celebration. We always go to IronRiver, Wi. every year Like to go somewhere else this year. Can you send me your schedule.
Would like time and dates. Thank You..
March 17th, 18th and 19th. The Miss Helmi Contest is always Friday evening from 6-8pm. The Parade is always at noon on Saturday. The whole schedule of events will be posted soon.
Hi there, i need to get the schedule of events as soon as possible, with times etc. because im going to have to reserve rooms for that weekend. Thanks !
I once read an ‘ode’ to St Urho. Can you publish it fi you have it.
This is from: http://www.sainturho.com/urho_ode.htm
Ooksi kooksi coolama vee
Santia Urho is ta poy for me!
He sase out ta hoppers as pig as pirds.
Neffer peefor haff I hurd tose words!
He reely tolt tose pugs of kreen
Braffest Finn I effer seen
Some celebrate for St. Pat unt hiss nakes
Putt Urho poyka kot what it takes.
He kot tall and trong from feelia sour
Unt ate kala moyakka effery hour.
Tat’s why tat kuy could sase toes peetles
What krew as thick as chack bine neetles.
So let’s give a cheer in hower pest vay
On Sixteenth of March, St. Urho’s Tay.
Why are the crafters at the Clair Nelson on Saturday not listed?
They are listed in the schedule on Saturday as during the Pancake Breakfast (if you want) and also from 1-3pm.