Community celebrates Heikinpäivä
HANCOCK — Winter is half over and that’s certainly a reason to celebrate.
Cold temperatures, a few snow flurries, and lots of people outside on a mid-winter day. It’s the perfect setting for Heikinpäivä. The Finnish-American festival was held Saturday in downtown Hancock featuring a parade with many iconic Finnish characters and the Hepokoski family, this year’s Hankooki Heikki.
There was also the wife-carrying contest where contestants must roll out the rugs, take a sauna and serve their guests tea, with the men giving the women a free ride in between.
“Well, it is kind of crazy seeing all this Finnish stuff going on around here in the United States and it’s nice to see the community getting involved and at least the kids are having lots of fun even though the snow is coming down. It’s been nice so far.”
January 2017 has been dedicated as Finnish-American Heritage Month in Michigan and State Representative Scott Dianda was in town to present the tribute to the community.
“We see the kids out sledding and working on the kicksleds today. Everybody’s happy-a great day to be outside, wonderful day to enjoy the Copper Country.” Heikinpäivä isn’t over yet, the Family Fun Night is this Friday and there are more workshops to take part in.