Celebrate the Everyday Heroes of St Urho 2018

The Theme of Finland’s 43rd Annual St Urho’s Celebration was Urho Means Hero: Celebrate Everyday Heroes. The Big Weekend  was March 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2018.

Paljon kiitoksia (Thank you very much!) to all the heroes who helped to make the 43^rd Annual St Urho’s Celebration happen. From the guys who 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 prizes or selling raffle tickets and buttons, you all help make this event happen. Thank you so much!

This year’s raffle drawing winners were:

1st Prize: $600 – Greg Neff from Hayward, WI

2nd Prize: $300 – Jace Larson from Silver Bay, MN

3rd Prize: $200 – Scott Williams from Mussel Shoals, AL (!!!)

4th Prize: $100 – Kalvin Ekroot from Two Harbors, MN

5th Prize: $100 – Richard Nikula (Dubs) from Finland, MN

6th Prize: $100 – Marcus LaBerge from Little Marais, MN

Two of the winning tickets were sold at the Our Place this year, two were sold by Owen Klinker, one by Miranda Sve and one by Honor Schauland. Honor Schauland sold the most tickets this year at 610 with Miranda Sve close behind at 560. Renee Goneau sold 400, Colin Bischoff  330, Owen Klinker 310. Thanks again to all the individuals and businesses who helped to sell raffle tickets. Also thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets and buttons – that’s how we pay for the party! We appreciate your support!

Thanks also to all of the many individuals and businesses that contributed items for the door prizes at the raffle ticket drawing. There were some beautiful items donated and it always helps to make the drawing a festive event. Thanks this year to the Silver Bay AmericInn, the Tofte AmericInn, Jimmy’s Pizza, Northern Lights, North Shore Oil, Northwoods Family Grille, Zup’s of Silver Bay, North Shore Barber Shop, Holiday Gas Station Beaver Bay, Camp 61, Teddy’s Plumbing and Heating, Elwood and Carol Youngberg, Norshor Agency, HyFashion, Co-op Light and Power, North Shore Federal Credit Union, Quilt Corner, Christmas Up North, Lake Bank, Julies Variety, Cindy Rowlee, J & H Auto Repair, Salon Haven, Vicki’s License, Anonymous, Lutsen Resort, Four Seasons, Maple Grove, Don’s Auto, Finland Co-op, Our Place, Tom and Rosemary Tyson, West Branch, Wildhurst, Hugo’s and the Knotted Pine.

Thanks to Carol and Elwood Youngberg for all of their work to gather door prizes. They are truly St Urho Heroes!

Thanks to all of the Miss Helmi Contestants this year: Colin, Paul, Calvin and Sam! You all did great. Miss Greenie Timbers (Sam) won with her lesson on proper use of a chainsaw. Also, big thanks to Smokey and the Bandit for being the Emcees. You were amazing! Also thanks to Kaare and Jeffrey for being our sound crew, Pam and Kristin for makeup and more, Charlie for being our prop guy, and all the people who put up with us. We had a fun time doing the show!

Special recognition this year to the Berquists and State Farm Insurance for their generous donation, to Cheri Bischoff for an amazing parade, to the Honor Guard for making it happen (we can’t have a parade without an Honor Guard!) to Bob and Diane at Our Place for hosting the drawing and putting in a lot of extra effort this year, to Adam’s AutoValu for the sober cab service, and to all the Miss Helmi Contestants, but especially Colin Bischoff and Paul Plante for stepping up at the last minute to make sure we had enough to have the show! Thank you to our Grand Marshal Hero Dale Nikula! Thank you to rescue heroes Kenny Albrecht, Lindsey and David Dietz, and Fuzzy for all of your chauffeuring and assistance. To all the helpers – you are heroes! Looking forward to next year!

With love, The St Urho’s Committee

 

Lots of photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/vK3LrhjRMdH0OH6c2

 

Finland’s St Urho Celebration is supported by the Silver Bay Area Tourism Association and Welcome to Finland, MN

Remember to tag us in your event photos! #StUrho2018