THUNDER BAY — An online auction for a custom-built sauna kit is just one of the attractions expected to draw thousands of people to this weekend's Finn Festival in Thunder Bay.
The Waverley Park area will host the bulk of activities, starting with an opening ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, although the first event will be a Nordic marketplace at St. Paul's Church starting at noon.
"We're really excited to make use of the park's new pavilion," says Kelly Saxberg, president of the Finnish Canadian Cultural Federation, the national body working with local organizers on this year's event.
Some activities will also take place at Trinity Church, Trinity Hall, Hilldale Lutheran Church and the Lakehead University Law School.
The festival, which alternates annually among different cities, traces its origins to the 1940s when it was held as part of a relief effort for Finland, which had barely survived its war with the USSR.
Saxberg said the multi-faceted program contains a range of cultural and fun activities including dancing, music, games—among them a wife-carrying competition—lectures, a film series and local crafters and artists.
"It's for all ages. Everyone is welcome to just celebrate great music, the summer solstice, being outside...people just getting together and having a fun festival," she said.
Finland's new ambassador to Canada, Roy Eriksson, is among the invited dignitaries.
Saxberg said attendees have registered from across the country, the U.S. and Finland.
Numerous local businesses, organizations and individuals have again lined up to support the event.
The registration fee is $10.00, with the profits going to the festival's performers.
To accommodate the event, the City of Thunder Bay will close Waverley Street between Red River Road and Secord Street, as well as Park Avenue from Secord to Waverley, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
