We Survived! St Urho 2021 Wrap Up
The theme of Finland’s 46th Annual St Urho’s Celebration was Survival Mode. The big weekend was March 19th, 20th and 21st, 2021.
Paljon kiitoksia (Thank you very much!) to the many many people who helped to make the 46th 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!
The festivities were somewhat different than normal due to COVID. There were a number of online events leading up the weekend, including a Virtual Miss Helmi Contest.
The parade was the main in-person event, and it was a beautiful day! The turnout wasn’t as big as some years, but it was ok!
This year’s raffle drawing winners were:
1st Prize: $600 – Brita Wilson from Silver Bay, MN
2nd Prize: $300 – Dan Hofstrand from Duluth, MN
3rd Prize: $200 – Jeffrey Maas from St Paul, MN
4th Prize: $100 – Dustin Goutermont from Silver Bay, MN
5th Prize: $100 – Casey Curtis from Silver Bay, MN
6th Prize: $100 – Deb Johansen from Finland, MN
Two of the winning tickets were sold by Audrey Ferris this year, one by Heather Sve, one by the Four Seasons Supper Club, one by Renee Goneau Maas, and one right at the drawing. 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 our first ever Online Auction, as well as the door prizes at the raffle ticket drawing. There were many beautiful items donated. We made over $1,600 in the auction! The donated door prizes really help to make the drawing a festive event. Thanks this year to the Silver Bay AmericInn, Tofte AmericInn, Northwoods Family Grille, Zup’s of Silver Bay, Bri-Esa’s, Beaver Bay Mobil, North Shore Federal Credit Union, Quilt Corner, Julies Variety, Four Seasons, Maple Grove, Our Place, Wildhurst, Hooterville, Beaver Bay Sports, Tail Gunnar Charters, Finland Cooperative, Silver Bay Auto Value, North Shore Oil & Propane, Jimmy’s Pizza & Ice Cream Shoppe, Second Chances/Dilly Dally, Silver Bay PTO/Salmon Classic/Joe Nicklay, Don’s Auto Repair & Towing, Lemon Wolf Cafe, Lauri Hohman, Salon Haven, Our Place, North Shore Adventure Park, Wildhurst Lodge and Campgrounds, Angela Maki North, and Wildly Organic in Silver Bay. Thank you so much! Thank you bidders! Thanks also to Bonnie and crew at Four Seasons for hosting the drawing this year!
Thanks to Randy Duke for all of his work to gather door prizes and online auction items. If you won a door prize, please tell him how much you enjoyed it when you see him!
Thanks to the Miss Helmi Contestants this year: Nick, Robin and the guy from out of town we roped into it! Also, big thanks to Herbie (Pat Ramsdell) and Owen Klinker for being the Emcees. You were great! Also thanks to Kaare Melby, the brains behind the video camera, and to Bree who helped with makeup. We had such a fun time doing the show! Nick Perfetto from Silver Bay was the winner as “Nickelina Perfettinen.” Nickelina would like to remind people that when grouse hunting, you should be playing polka music in your truck. “Grouse love polka!”
Extra thanks to Steve Solkela for skateboarding in the parade with his accordion and performing all over Finland at many locations Friday and Saturday afternoon. Finland MN is adopting you, Steve!
Special recognition this year to the Berquists and State Farm Insurance, Greg Tibbetts of Tibbetts Trucking, and Mike Ettel of Eli Yachts for their generous donations, to Cheri Bischoff for an amazing parade, and to all of the creative people with their amazing parade floats! You guys all rock! Thank you to our Grand Marshal Bob Curry! Thank you to Silver Bay Area Tourism Association and Welcome to Finland for help with promoting this event. To everyone who helps – THANK YOU! We’ll see you next year!
With love, the St Urho Committee
Visit the St Urho’s Celebration in Finland MN’s Facebook page for many photos and videos of the festivities.
Many more photos here – we lifted these from all over Facebook: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xgZJbzL75q4uVWnT6
St Urho’s Float Workshop with Angela Maki Jones video here.
Finland Food Chain Mojakka Workshop with Dan Cahill Mathews – watch here.
Finnish American Cultural Association panel discussion on the Origins of St Urho here.
Virtual Miss Helmi – watch on YouTube.