Hundreds of Copper Country Finns and friends braved the wind and snow to celebrate Heikinpaiva on Saturday. The morning started with a beautiful sunrise before Heiki Lunta blew in the parade. Costume characters including Big Louie, Joulupukki, the golden Sampo mill, and many more danced down Quincy Street. After the parade, the community kept dancing joining the bear spiral on the Quincy Green. Throughout the day the community enjoyed picking through artisan and Finnish folk crafters and baker tables inside the Finnish American Heritage Center and First United Methodist Church. Some even made their way up the stairs to the Hancock Community Hub to check out the Hancock Cold Tori. While shoppers filled up on wares and baked bread athletic couples competed in the annual wife-carrying contest. Those interested in viewing some photos from Saturday’s festivities in Hancock can find some below.
