Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Several figures from Finnish history, such as medieval Bishop St. Henrik, were represented in the Heikinpäivä parade on Saturday.
HANCOCK — The thermometer indicates mid-April, but signs, Finnish letters and polar plunges point to the middle of winter.
Saturday's Heikinpäivä celebrations drew large crowds to downtown Hancock to watch the parade, shop at Torii Markets, view local art and more.
The biggest event on Saturday was the parade that featured many characters from Finnish and Finnish American folklore. Finnish-American legend St. Urho appears, seeking the help of pioneers to track down the grasshopper that led him out of Finland.
“Has anyone seen a sneaky little grasshopper in here?” He said.
“He went to this place!” An audience member volunteered.
Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Joey Lusty of Lance flops in the tank during a polar plunge on Quincy Green during Heikinpäivä on Saturday.
After the show, Urhu, the grasshopper, and imaginary and real people alike joined in the bear's spiral dance on the Quincy Green.
Jim Korte, who leads the organizing committee, said each Heikinpäivä festival has its own flavour. This year, which has been abnormally warm, was no exception.
“When it's mild, we have fewer people, at least outdoors.” He said at the Torrey Finnish American Heritage Center after the presentation. “But it's crowded here. The dance went well, and we had a lot of participants.”
They also had a large number of volunteers helping out, including from local fraternities.
The Planning Commission is also looking for new members. People can contact the city of Hancock to join, Korti said.
Garrett Ness/Daily Mining Gazette Lindsay Jenson of Houghton pushes her daughter, Syda Jenson, 10, on a sled during the Heikinpäivä race on Saturday.
“It's a very low-pressure organic.” He said. “There are no dues, people participate as they want.”
People in Torii on Saturday checked out vendors and a variety of traditional Finnish foods. Chefs Kaylyn Holmstrom and Rika Hepokowski prepared a huge amount of food at Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly in the days leading up to the event, including more than 500 korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls).
“Food is really part of the culture.” Hepokowski said. “Everyone is very traditional, everything is what they have in Finland.”
The 2024 Heikinpäivä tournament was the first since Finlandia University closed in June. The Pasadena, California-based National Finlandia Foundation has stepped in to preserve some of the university's most important resources for the Finnish American community, including North Wind Books and the Finnish American Heritage Center.
The board held an emergency session via Zoom after the news broke in March, said Tommy Flanagan, executive director.
Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Flag bearers of America and Finland, members of Hancock's Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps lead the Heikinpäivä parade on Saturday.
“The question wasn't really whether the Finlandia National Foundation would do something, it was how and what,” He said. “I was new to the job…and seeing this design showed me the importance of it.”
The foundation raised $3 million to purchase the buildings, and sales closed earlier this month. More than 900 donors from all over the country participated in this campaign.
The foundation was honored with the title “Hankoken Hiki” at this year’s festival, in recognition of contributors to Finnish-American culture.
“This is a great honor for the Finlandia National Foundation and I think it shows us where we are in the right place and we are doing the right thing.” Flanagan said. “And you know, we have a lot to learn, but we're excited to be part of the community.”
Flanagan took over the scene in Torrey where he enjoyed his first Heikinpäivä. He said it was an impressive community event.
Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette The Heikinpäiva procession included demonstrators dressed in traditional Finnish costumes.
“It celebrates Finnish-American culture.” Flanagan said. “They don't celebrate Heikinpäivä in Finland, but it was created here from the community. That's really cool. And you meet a lot of people who have Finnish heritage, but you also meet a lot of people who don't have any connection to Finland, and they are here in the community and celebrate it together.” .
Flanagan served as grand marshal for the show, and even made the final jump in the Polar Plunge.
Another popular event, the Polar Plunge is back after years of absence. It moved from the Portage Canal to Quincy Green, where organizers erected a large reservoir.
Giovanni Bommarito, a Michigan Technological University student from Armada, Michigan, opened fire. He and his brothers in the Triangle Fraternity volunteered for the parade, pushing Flanagan to the Giant. “Big Louie” Kicks.
“It's really cool,” He said. “I'm surprised because I've never heard of it before. It's great to see the Finnish culture and all the events.
Garrett Ness/Daily Mining Gazette Kevin and Madeline Brannick of Lake Linden participate in Heikinbaeva's wife-carrying contest on Saturday.
Many people braved the jump several times, cycling between the cold water and the sauna positioned behind it.
One of those jumpers was Joey Losti of L'Anse, who landed on his stomach in the pool with his arms outstretched.
He takes a cold shower at home every morning for his health, and also goes for a run.
How was the water?
“she is beautiful,” He said. “It's only about 60 degrees.”
Lusty also enjoyed watching the wife's pregnancy contest earlier on Quincy Green. To emulate Saturday in Copper Country, contestants ran in a square, dropping their partner at each corner to do chores. At the first stop, they spread carpets. In the sauna, they hit each other with birch branches and threw ladles of imaginary water onto the imaginary stove. At the last stop, they had coffee with their guests in the Finnish way, i.e. serving the guests first.
Kevin and Madeline Brannick of Lake Linden, who had the fastest time up to that point, had recently moved to the area.
They decided to try after reading about it in the newspaper and preparing by watching videos of other competitions. After seeing the icy field, they improvised and chose a sturdier position, with Madeleine climbing onto his back.
The Brannnicks plan to compete again next year. They also enjoyed the other events.
“I think it's a lot of fun.” Madeleine said. “I love seeing all the different customs and legends.”
Any group of people can jump. Bry and Eric Bliss of Hancock competed together in a similar race in Marquette. This time, they raced as a family. Eric gets Anya pregnant, 3; Brie carried their 1-year-old daughter, Sophie, on her back in a baby carrier with Bjorn.
Anya's favorite part of the day was watching Saint Urho search for grasshoppers during the show. Bree's favorite part is… “A vibrant community.”
Kurti said people in the area are proud of their Finnish identity. Finnish food and lessons before Saturday also help others learn.
“Here in the Land of Copper, I always stress that everyone is more or less Finnish culturally,” He said. “It's part of the fabric of this area, so it gives everyone a chance to celebrate.”
Garrett Ness/Daily Mining Gazette Tommy Flanagan, executive director of the National Finlandia Foundation, waves to the crowd during Heikinpaeva's parade on Saturday. He took over the foundation, which was named Hankoken Heikki after preserving the cultural institutions of the former Finlandia University.
