It’s that magical time of the year when FinnFest is held somewhere in the world (usually in the US, but has also been in FInland a few years back). It is a time for the Finnish-American, Finnish, and friends of Finland communities to come together to share Finnish culture. It is a time for making new connections, reuiniting with old ones, and injecting excitement into projects going on involving Finnish and Finnish-American culture. The last time Duluth hosted FinnFest, it was 2008.

If you are heading up this year or a coming year to the Duluth area for FinnFest (it was recently announced that Duluth with be hosting for at least the next five years!), here is a short list of things I recommend you check out:

1. Tori (Finnish Marketplace)

   I like to refer to Irene’s Favorite Things as Helvi’s Favorite Things, because the inventory Kathryn Branson has in her store in Park Rapids attached to her parents’ Harvala Appliance is unmatched. Kathryn and her parents (Renee and Burt Hill) bring a good amount of that to FinnFests and other festivals year round. She took on the business her grandma Irene had started in 1989, after working with Irene on the business since Kathryn was 16 — how cool is that?! They have too many neat things to cover them all in this blurb, but I will be looking to purchase a new Moomin mug and candy this weekend and will at least also browse their puukko selection.

   There will also be many well-known Finnish-American artists performing in the Tori throughout the festival. I particularly recommend trying not to miss: Lyz Jaakola, Kisarit (Finnish-American Folk Dance Group), Eric Peltoniemi, Steve Sokela, and Lauluaika. The others are also probably wonderful too, I just haven’t personally met them yet!

   Additionally one of our favorite Finnish-American poets, Sheila Packa, will be selling her books and a few others, such as the book that Arlene Putikka Tucker has written about her mother called Child of Teuva. It is a great read if you are curious about the Finnish-American immigrant experience from a female perspective.

2. Salolampi Finnish Language Village

   The Salolampi “Nordic Experiences for Children” is 9:00-11:30a in Ballrooms 301-302. This Saturday morning event is led by Tiina Watts and Susan “Susanna” Harstad. If you don't make it there, you can connect with the Salolampi Foundation throughout the festival! They will be in the Tori for most of the rest of the weekend. Look for their booth there to learn more about Finnish Language and Culture programming for all ages, scholarships, or just to say Terve!

3. Erik Koskinen concert at Pizza Luce

   This concert begins at 8p on Friday night and if you haven’t seen Erik Koskinen & Band perform before, you don’t want to miss this intimate opportunity. The music is AMAZING. Don’t be turned off by the desciption as Alt-Country Music if you aren’t particularily a Country Music fan. I am definitely not a fan of Country (at least contemporary), but I would listen to Erik’s music even if I didn’t somehow have a personal interest in nearly all things Finnish. The lyrics are crafty, contemporary, and offer a wonderful soundtrack to your life if you are even remotely working in a blue-collar line of work. I resonate especially with the Down in the Factory song lyrics as I head into my daily work although I work in academia. I Got You (to get me through) offers a relateable perspective of someone who is simply glad they have a partner in life to navigate this ever-changing and kinda messed up world. Full-disclosure, he is a childhood friend of one of my very good friends, but again, I must insist I would like the music even without so many connections.

4. Sara Pajunen Solo Exhibition

   If you are looking for another activity to do outside of the DECC hub, go check out my former neighbor’s and current Duluthian’s latest project at the Nease Gallery. Although Sara is best known in our community as an award winning professional violinist, this work combines a number of art forms and is a must see.

5. Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna

   Justin Juntunen and company have supplied sauna access to the Duluth region since 2019 through cedar + stone. They have a publicly accessible sauna in the harbor and build private saunas that ship all over the country. Their latest project is building a floating sauna on a barge they acquired. Even if you didn’t bring a bathing suit with, it is worth checking out all they have going on. Tell ‘em Luumu sent you *wink*.

What about the food? FinnFest has it all covered this year, offering visitors a wide-selection of fair-priced Finnish treats and heartier options. I plan to try a little of almost everything myself this weekend.

I am excited.

What are you looking forward to about doing at FinnFest this weekend? What are some of your favorite memories of FinnFests past? Have any good suggestions of local places in Duluth to check out? Comment below! Thanks for reading and enjoy the festival!