THUNDER BAY – In Honour of St. Urho’s Day, People of Finnish heritage took to the streets to march in the return of the annual sidewalk parade.
The story of St Urho is uniquely an American one, and began more than 50 years ago in Northern Minnesota in response to St Patrick's Day. It claims St Urho chased the grasshoppers out of Finland wielding only a rake, saving the country's grape crop.
“You know, those pesky grasshoppers, they get into everything,” said Adam Nousiainen, who portrayed St Urho during the celebrations.
“So, I started kicking them with my boots, but it didn't work too well so I grabbed the rake and started hitting them with it. So to get a bigger span to get the grasshoppers out.”
This is the first time on 5 years that the parade and celebration were able to be held. Heleena Stephens, volunteer coordinator with the Finlandia Cooperative Thunder Bay, said that it was great to see so many people come out.
“Just the show of Finn pride here in Thunder Bay is so heartwarming right before Saint Patrick's Day weekend,” she said.
“It's good to see that purple mixed in with all that green and I love the energy today and the vibes have been really great.”
