[Editor's Note: This article has been updated with information on the music events. Please see below.]
HANCOCK -- This Saturday, Jan. 25, will offer a full day of activities for Heikinpäivä -- Hancock's annual mid-winter festival celebrating Finnish-American culture and heritage.
The Tori (Market) will be open all day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in both the Finnish American Heritage Center and the First United Methodist Church. Don't miss the chance to shop for handmade items and Finnish specialties (including snacks, coffee and baked goods) and to enjoy a variety of musical entertainment.
At 11 a.m. the Heikinpäivä Parade will head down Quincy Street toward the Finnish American Heritage Center. Here are some videos from last year's parade, held on Jan. 26, 2013:
Following the Parade, this year the kicksled races will again be held on the Quincy Green (next to the Finnish American Heritage Center) along with the vipukelkka (whipsled) and the Eukonkanto (Wife-Carrying Contest).
Here are some videos of the 2013 kicksled races and the Wife-Carrying Contest:
While shopping at the Tori markets take a break to listen to some live music played by a variety of groups throughout the day.
This is the music schedule for the Tori markets tomorrow, Jan. 25:
Finnish American Heritage Center:
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. -- Finn Aire (Roger Hewlett)
(11 a.m. -- Parade)
11:30 a.m. - noon -- Libby Meyer and Keweenaw Youth Orchestra (Copper Country Suzuki).
noon - 1 p.m. -- Eleanor Taylor
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. -- Tanja Stanaway
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. -- Finn Aire
First United Methodist Church:
11:30 a.m. - noon -- Courtney Clisch
noon - 12:30 p.m. -- Kivajat Dancers
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. -- Pasi Cats
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. -- Christine Nakkula
Here are some samples of Finnish music performed last year in the basement of the First United Methodist Church:
The Kivajat Dancers perform a Finnish folk dance during last year's Heikinpäivä. At far left is their director, Kay Seppälä. They will perform tomorrow, Jan. 25, from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church
Polar Bear Dive back by popular demand
One of Heikinpäivä’s most popular events each year is the Polar Bear Dive, when hundreds of hearty souls take the plunge into the icy waters of the Portage Canal. Although the Polar Bear Dive was not held last year, it is scheduled to return this year to challenge the fearless. Along with participants proving their mettle, there’s an opportunity for three entries to win cash prizes for their creativity.
The Polar Bear Dive will return this year and will take place along the Hancock waterfront between the Ramada Inn and the Copper Island Beach Club. (Keweenaw Now file photo)
The Michigan Tech Aquanauts manage the site and provide a safe environment for the participants and spectators alike. Local radio personalities provide an entertaining play-by-play.
Due to the popularity of this event and limited parking near the dive site, car-pooling is strongly encouraged.
Registration for this year's dive begins at 2 p.m., and the Dive is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. along the Hancock waterfront between the Ramada Inn and the Copper Island Beach Club.
Those who just want to dive for fun must pay $1; anyone who'd like to compete for cash prizes must pay $5. Divers who are competing for prizes will dive first. Prizes will be awarded by three judges, who will choose the winners based on costume, presentation, and execution of the dive.
Footwear is strongly encouraged. Be sure to bring a towel! No children participating this year, please. Be sure to bring a bathing suit!
Banquet and Dance Saturday night, Jan. 25
Saturday night, at 6 p.m. the Seisovapöytä (Finnish buffet) will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. Tickets are $18. A silent auction will be held during the banquet.
UPDATED: Finally, at 8 p.m., bring your dancing shoes to the Finnish American Heritage Center and dance to great Finnish tunes on the new wooden dance floor! The Pasi Cats will provide great dance music!
"PasiCats will climb on stage for Heikinpäivä Dance at Finnish-American Heritage Center, starting 8 p.m. and playing until people drop, or maintenance kicks us out," says Pasi Lautala. "We'll make sure that there's plenty of speed on the dance floor and calm people down with tangos."
For more details on Heikinpäivä visit pasty.com/heikki.
The Michigan Tech Aquanauts manage the site and provide a safe environment for the participants and spectators alike. Local radio personalities provide an entertaining play-by-play.
Due to the popularity of this event and limited parking near the dive site, car-pooling is strongly encouraged.
Registration for this year's dive begins at 2 p.m., and the Dive is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. along the Hancock waterfront between the Ramada Inn and the Copper Island Beach Club.
Those who just want to dive for fun must pay $1; anyone who'd like to compete for cash prizes must pay $5. Divers who are competing for prizes will dive first. Prizes will be awarded by three judges, who will choose the winners based on costume, presentation, and execution of the dive.
Footwear is strongly encouraged. Be sure to bring a towel! No children participating this year, please. Be sure to bring a bathing suit!
Banquet and Dance Saturday night, Jan. 25
Saturday night, at 6 p.m. the Seisovapöytä (Finnish buffet) will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. Tickets are $18. A silent auction will be held during the banquet.
UPDATED: Finally, at 8 p.m., bring your dancing shoes to the Finnish American Heritage Center and dance to great Finnish tunes on the new wooden dance floor! The Pasi Cats will provide great dance music!
"PasiCats will climb on stage for Heikinpäivä Dance at Finnish-American Heritage Center, starting 8 p.m. and playing until people drop, or maintenance kicks us out," says Pasi Lautala. "We'll make sure that there's plenty of speed on the dance floor and calm people down with tangos."
For more details on Heikinpäivä visit pasty.com/heikki.
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