• Thursday-What'sUP January 11 - 07:07 pm

Since 1999 the Finnish Theme Committee has been behind the Mid-Winter festival called Heikenpäivä, which takes place primarily in Hancock, but also has activities held in other parts of the Keweenaw as well. The festivities actually begin today with "Finnish Dance Hall" lessons at the Community Arts Center in Hancock. The majority of the events scheduled will get into full swing next week, when you can watch a parade, enjoy competitions like the "Wife-Carrying" contest and of course observe the insanity of the annual Polar Bear Dive into Portage Lake. For a full schedule of the events, click here. There's something for everyone to enjoy during Heikenpäivä 2008, so bundle up and enjoy the fun! Special thanks to Mary Pekkala, for today's photos, courtesy of Daryl Laitila's Gallery Album.

I wish I could be there for the finn festival.
looks like fun.maybe next year.

The dancing looks fun, but you'd NEVER catch me jumping into the Portage at this time of year.

One year (after I retire, I guess) I'd love to get in on the festivities.

I want to go dancing. Pick me, pick me. Maybe I could teach my fellow Finns how to salsa dance. Hey, I understand that the Finns are big tango dancers back in Finland.

Speaking of the insanity that is the Polar Bear Dive, my PastyCam calender is displayed prominantly in my office so the first thing people see when entering is the January 2008 photo. I've had comments ranging from, "that looks dangerous jumping into 2 inches of water" to "why would anyone jump into a sand pile" to "OMG, I didn't think people actually did that!!" (referring to the dive itself)

And then people here wonder why Yoopers are so tough....

I was thinking in the old days they should have an event in the Olympics of wife carrying and I would have tried out. Now with Precious having shrunk to about four foot eight we would have a chance. Unfortunatly now I am not in shape to carry her. Life just isn't fair.

The dancing looks like it takes place in Finlandia University's residence hall's ground floor cafeteria/lounge area. Wish we could be there, but will be next month!

I agree with you Katie. It looked very familiar to me as well. Good 'ol Upward Bound stomping grounds! Many fun summers spent there!

The dinner and dance is usually held in Finlandia Hall up the hill. Kilpela and Friends will be playing Sat. afternoon (Jan 19) in the tori at the Heritage Center on Quincy St. We are playing for the dance after dinner from 7 - 11 pm. No, I won't be taking a dive into the canal, either! :o) Had to miss Heikenpäivä last year because of my triple by-pass surgery. I had only gotten home on Jan. 2.