The only thing more Finnish than Thunder Bay’s Finn Fest is the country itself.
Throughout the weekend hundreds of the city’s residents embraced their inner Finn for the 76th annual Finnish Canadian Grand Festival.
Opening ceremonies kicked off the festival Friday evening at the Finnish Labour Temple, which featured a special appearance from the Finnish Ambassdaor Charles Murto.
The three day event, commonly referred to as Finn Fest, was filled with activities, live music, dancing and markets for families to enjoy.
“The festival started 76 years ago in Sudbury when a group of friends decided they needed to do something for the war effort,” said organizer Ulla Ahokas.
The group decided to host a festival to collect funds for both the Finnish war effort and the Canadian war effort until the mid-‘50s.
After the ‘50s the event shaped into a traveling cultural festival, which moves from city to city each year.
“In any culture it’s important to know what your roots are and when you are coming from because that’s what makes you who you are,” she said.
This year, the festival brought some new activities for the children to enjoy Sunday afternoon.
The children were required to run through a course carrying stuff animals on their backs much similar to the traditional wife carrying competition.
The winners receive a large bag of candy, whereas the adults are usually given a well-deserved beer.
Organizers said anecdotally the turnout was exceptional especially with the storm.
The 77th annual Finnish Canadian Grand Festival will take over the city of Sault Ste. Marie in 2017.
