St Urho's Celebration in Finland, MN

03/17/2026

Congratulations to Genavive and Galvin George, the winners of the Brad Anderson Snow Sculpture Contest! Great job! 💚

03/16/2026

Happy St. Urho’s Day! 🍇🦗 Legend has it that today we celebrate St. Urho, the heroic figure who chased away the grasshoppers to save Finland’s grape harvest. Of course, Finland isn’t exactly known for its vineyards—but the story captures something very real: the humor, resilience, and sisu that define Finnish spirit everywhere.

Across Finland, Minnesota, and communities throughout the Midwest, this wonderfully quirky holiday brings people together at the tail end of winter to celebrate Finnish heritage with laughter, parades, and a little bit of purple and green.

Today we’re sharing a sneak peek from the documentary "Finland, Minnesota," by Ville Besonen and Isaac Hanson, supported in part by a grant from Finlandia Foundation National. The clip features scenes from the 2025 St. Urho’s Day parade, capturing the joy, creativity, and community spirit that keep traditions like this alive.

The film premiered at FinnFest 2025 and will next be screened at the Cokato Finnish American Historical Society Midsummer celebration on June 20, where the filmmakers will also host a Q&A. The documentary has also been submitted to compete in the Eagan Film Festival and the Fresh Coast Film Festival.

At Finlandia Foundation National, we are proud of many things:
✨ our youth and emerging creatives
✨ our vibrant Finnish-American communities
✨ and the stories that preserve and celebrate our heritage

Supporting projects like this helps ensure these traditions—and the joy behind them—continue for generations.

Hyvää Pyhän Urhon päivää! Happy St. Urho’s Day!

Learn more about the film or request a screening:
FinlandMinnesotaMovie.com

03/16/2026

Congratulations to Patrick Ramsdell - Alice Hefflefinger - Miss Helmi 2026!

The Tug of War was won by the north side of the bridge both times.

Parade prizes went to:
Finland Community Youth Program: Most Original
Miss Helmi Float: Most Wonderful
Heather Sve - St Urho Cadillac: Best of Show

Stamp game prizes went to Samara Goutermont, Priscilla Peterson, and Rose Evans

Snow sculpture winners are Genavive and Galvin George

Raffle prizes were as follows:

1st prize $600 - Cheryl Suin Koren of Mt Iron, MN - ticket sold by Alma, Genavive and Izzy @ Laskiainen

2nd prize $300 - Carolyn Holm of Babbitt, MN - ticket sold by Laverne Tuura Ellis

3rd prize $200 - Al Kornovich of Oak Park, MN - ticket sold by Heather Sve

4th prize $100 - Barb Blitt of Breezy Point, MN - ticket sold by Genavive George

5th prize $100 - Amanda Weeks of Finland, MN - ticket sold by the Finland Co-op

6th prize $100 - Laura Hakala of Makinen, MN - ticket sold by Alma, Genavive and Izzy @ Laskiainen

Thanks to everyone who helped out this year! We will publish a more detailed list of thank yous in the near future.

03/13/2026

See ya in Finland! 🍇

03/12/2026

We have buttons! They are for sale at the Finland Co-op, Four Seasons, Our Place, Wildhurst, and Julie's in Silver Bay. Please buy a button and support St Urho's Day!

03/09/2026

✨ The St. Urho online auction is LIVE! Lots of great items up for bids! Today through Sunday, March 15th at 7pm!

💜 Thanks to all of the local donors! We appreciate your support!

🦗 All proceeds go to supporting next year's event, the 52nd annual!

⬇️
https://new.biddingowl.com/AuctionLanding?QueryAuctionId=da04d00a-cc11-4216-949a-afdef9ecebeb

03/06/2026

The St. Urho stamp game starts today and goes through Sunday, March 15th! Remember to support our local businesses when you stop for your stamp! 💚

🍇 Starting Friday, March 6th! Pick up your Urho book and the list of participating businesses at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland, MN or the Finland Cooperative!

03/06/2026

Today through Sunday!

03/04/2026

SAVE THE DATE and join us for a delicious breakfast, featuring pancakes and sausage, before the St. Urho's Day parade on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 from 8-10am at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland, MN!

EVENT LINK: https://www.facebook.com/share/19WN1UMMVS/

03/04/2026

SAVE THE DATE and join us for lunch after the St. Urho's Day parade on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 from 1-4pm at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland, MN!

We'll be serving up some delicious Mojakka (beef or fish), and homemade bread!

There will be live music, vendors and fun things happening for the whole family, so be sure to come check it out!

EVENT LINK: https://www.facebook.com/share/17sD9rGbsi/

03/03/2026

02/28/2026

🍇 Starting Friday, March 6th! Pick up your Urho book and the list of participating businesses at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland, MN or the Finland Cooperative!