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Maybe the bear rolled over early this winter. Heikinpaiva will arrive on the streets of Hancock starting tomorrow. While many events have been taking place ahead of the festival. Tomorrow is the big day, with the parade, markets, Spiral Dance polar plunge and so much more. But before the parade kicks off at 11 am, tonight Club Finndigo will host one last enrichment event at the Calumet Theater. Featuring the action-packed movie Sisu.
“Over the years, years ago, the Calumet Theatre used to have Club Indigo, but in January they would call it Club Finndigo. And I’m not sure Club Indigo occurs anymore, but Club Finndigo has been happening the last couple of years again. And it’s a film and a dinner.” – Jim Kurtti, President, Finnish Theme Committee
Heikinpaiva celebrates the local community’s Finnish heritage and residents’ love for winter. Many will stand through low temperatures to view the various costumes and parade floats. Then later in the day enjoy games, and dancing with friends and family. This year the festival plans to bring back a favorite event that has been missed in the last couple of festivals, the polar plunge.
“It used to be in the Portage Canal, and there are just so many logistical issues regarding the polar plunge. So it’s going to be somewhere near the Heritage Center on Quincy Green, I assume. And the polar plunge is going to be into a large pool.” – Jim Kurtti, President, Finnish Theme Committee
Hiekinpaiva will have plenty of fun. Temperatures are expected to range in the mid-thirties throughout the day. Club Finndigo’s showing of SIsu tonight at the Calumet Theater will begin at 5:30 pm. The Heikinpaiva Parade tomorrow will start at 11 am. Closing the festival will include the annual community dinner and dance at the Finnish American Heritage Center starting at 7 pm.
Tickets to the movie are still available for purchase. Tickets cost five dollars. Find more Sisu movie details here.
Heikinpaiva January 27th Schedule:
10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Tori markets – Finnish American Heritage Center & United Methodist Church
11 a.m. – Parade – Quincy Street, Hancock. Prizes.
After parade – Spiral Bear Dance – Quincy Green. Outdoor Games – vipukelkka, kick sled races, Wife Carrying (Quincy Green) – Prizes.
1 p.m. – Polar Plunge – Quincy Green – $5
2:30-4 p.m. – Animal Life: Art from the Kalevala – opening reception, Community Arts Center,
7-10 p.m. – Iltamat (dance & buffet) – $15 per person. Finnish American Heritage Center. Music by Back Room Boys. Hors d’oeuvres and raffle.
