HANCOCK, Mich. — When the idea of hosting a FinnFest USA was proposed to Copper Country residents in July, 2010, they responded enthusiastically. At a public forum arranged to gauge interest, more than 90 people attended.
A public meeting was held on April 4, at Finlandia University’ s Finnish American Heritage Center, where people will had a chance to prove how enthusiastic they are, since the FinnFest USA board of directors approved at its February 2011 meeting the Copper Country’ s bid to host FinnFest USA 2013.
A committee of community leaders has been meeting monthly since fall 2010 and has begun shaping the outline of the festival, which is planned for June 19-23, 2013 and is billed “ A Midsummer Eve’ s Dream.”
The FinnFest USA 2013 board believes the dates chosen are an excellent time to invite the world to experience the mystery and beauty of a Copper Country Midsummer. The first Finns to settle on Michigan’ s Keweenaw Peninsula actually arrived on Juhannus Eve in 1865, another thematic point from which the FFUSA board will draw its inspiration. The timing of the festival also coincides with the centennial anniversary of the great copper miners’ strike of 1913 — an event which significantly defined Finnish-American history and culture.
Organizers are committed to commemorate the region’ s history in ways which will respect and honor all Finnish Americans affected by the strife and tragedy, even in its most gruesome event the Italian Hall Disaster, where 73 people, mostly children of Finnish immigrants, lost their lives on the steep steps of the hall in Calumet, the epicenter of the strike. Organizers anticipate new youthful energy to rise from the ashes of the past and embrace the spirit of this FinnFest.
The festival will undoubtedly take on the casual, friendly persona of the Copper Country while emphasizing copper over gold, sauna over spa and pasties over paté.
FinnFest USA 2013 representatives will also be present at this year’s FinnFest USA in San Diego, California.