Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja

Finnish Kaleidoscope 2009


 
* Admission is FREE! *

 
There will be something for everyone:

Art Exhibition

• Oil paintings, acrylics, watercolor, photography, weavings, etc. by Finnish-American and local  artists Jennifer Swan, Gary Ruuska, Laila Auvinen, Kiirja Paananen, Irja Haynes, Ray Kauppila, Marie Kauppila...

Not-So-Average and Definitely Uniquely Finnish Sports/Contests

• Lawn Game Mölkky , Boot Throwing, Wife Carrying, Air Guitar Championships...
• Air Guitar Championship clip: Medley by Finnish Band Lordi
• Air Accordion Championship clip: Säkkijärven Polkka performed by Eduard Akhanov
  

Lectures Local experts to give talks on a host of topics

• Nancy Austin (the writing of Strength in Diversity: Worcester's Finnish Community)
• LeeAnn Hedberg (Scandinavian Literature)
• Hannu Harjunmaa of Grove Instruments (Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurement)
• Ann Gwyther (Finnish Sauna ["sow-na"])
• Barry Heiniluoma (Finnish-American Farms)
  
• Lindsay Gwyther (Finnish Language FAQ)

Cuisine

• Morning coffee/tea with pannukakku and korvapuusti treats, 10-11 AM
• Finnish Seisovapöytä  Buffet Lunch (smörgåsbord) will be available for $9, 12-1 PM or until supplies last!
• Vegetarian options available, too!
• Hotdogs and Hamburgers, too [more of a Finnish-American tradition!]

Raffle

• Help support our scholarship fund by buying raffle tickets!
• Many "Finntastic" prizes available for many lucky winners:
  
• Lumene Skin Care/Arctic Beauty Products
• Ski Lift Tickets to Wachusett Mountain
• Day Passes to Six Flags New England
• Dinner at Mohegan Sun
• Tickets to see the Worcester Sharks and Worcester Tornadoes play
• Autographed sports memorabilia by Mike Lowell (Boston Red Sox), Andrew Desjardin (Worcester Sharks), Rich Gedman (former Red Sox/Astros/Cardinals)
• Gift Certificates
  
• ....And More Lovely Prizes!  Check out some of our supporters here!
  
• You choose your prize - $1 per chance, 6 for $5

Special Guest Appearances

• Visit from Finz [honorarily "Finnz" for the day!], Worcester Sharks mascot, beginning at 2 PM
  
• Brett LeBlanc will drop by with his SK Modified racecar in celebration of the Finns' love for car racing

Tori / Marketplace

• Finnish-specialty and local/community vendors: Gift Chalet, The Kitchen Garden, Raivaaja Bookstore, Glass Elements, Clay Accents, Flo's Country Farm Stand, Knit 'N Stitch, Imelä Confection...
• Check out our vendors and their websites!
  

For Kids

• Tug of War, Sack Races, Sika, Coloring... 
  
• Special reading by Stephanie Twine-Haig of a Finnish story for children based on the Finnish National Epic Kalevala, 2 PM
  

Still More...

• Juhannustaika (traditional Finnish midsummer magic folklore)
• Salko / Maypole dancing
• Sauna and vihta making demos
• Cooking demonstration by Hilkka Hagman
  
• Finn Hop Dance lessons by Bernie and Nancy Nowak
• Posters, artifacts and exhibitions on all things Finnish!
  
• ...and more!

(In the case of poor weather, we may need to be modify some of the events, but we are certainly hoping for sun!)    

TERVETULOA! / WELCOME!

* Download a Finnish Kaleidoscope brochure!
* Here is the basic schedule of events!


PUBLICITY
* "Finnish Kaleidoscope Midsummer" article in the The Landmark (June 4, 2009)
* "Kaleidoscope to celebrate Finnish culture" article in the Telegram & Gazette Flash (June 18, 2009)
* "Finnish festival planned tomorrow at Finn Park" article in the The Telegram & Gazette (June 19, 2009)
* "Midsummer festival brings Finnish heritage, games to all" article in The Landmark (June 25, 2009)
* "Festival celebrated culture from start to Finnish" front page photo in The Landmark (June 25, 2009)
* "FHSS Enchants Locals with Finnish Kaleidoscope" [p. 6] Finlandia Foundation Newsletter (Fall 2009)
* Photos from the event ... and more photos on Go Central Mass

 


This program is supported in part by a grant from the Rutland Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.