Heikinpäivä–Frozen Fun For Finnish-American Mid-Winter Festival

With temperatures hovering right around zero degrees, it was a slightly lighter crowd at this year’s Heikinpäivä but still a great mid-winter celebration.

The minus-20 wind chill didn’t seem to affect participation in the parade as the various Finnish characters, including Heikki Lunta, danced down Quincy Street in Hancock.

Executive Director of the Finnish American Heritage Center Jim Kurtti said only the Polar Bear Dive was cancelled this year due to the extreme cold.  “We had to cancel the Polar Bear Dive and that was a smart move but everything is doable so we’re very happy,” said Kurtti.

Of course the best view of the parade was riding on Big Louie, the world’s largest kicksled, an honor bestowed upon this year’s Hankookin Heikki Kevin Manninen.  “It’s a great festival and it’s a great time and certainly a great honor to be named 2019 Hankookin Heikki,” said Manninen.

Fun in the snow followed at the Quincy Green with the wife carrying contest, kicksled races, whipsled, and the reindeer.  Inside the Finnish American Heritage Center and the First United Methodist Church, folks warmed up with hot food and coffee (and delicious pie) while shopping the two tori markets.

Manninen said, “I don’t think this is the first time it’s been this cold but you can just see how the people come out. It’s a great event and I don’t think it matters how cold it’s going to be, we’re going to get the turn out.”