January 28–Febuary 4, 2009, Number 527
Heikenpäivä: Finnish-American Festival
Ah, Yooper winter festivals, you’ve got to love ‘em, eh! This past weekend, the people of the local area flocked to Hancock to celebrate Heikinpäivä. This Finnish-American celebration first began in 1999, and the name is associated with several Finnish folk-lore as well as the name day for Heikki (Henrik’s day, January 19). The Finnish saying most related to this day is “Karhu kylkeänsä kääntää” or translated means “The bear rolls onto his other side.
The events surrounding this celebration range from a fun parade where everyone can celebrate being Finnish, fun games, films, music, and many more fun Finnish customs. With so much to do, both the community and the students of Michigan Tech turn out to enjoy themselves. Some of the more noted games were boot-throwing (saapaanheitto) competition and the wife carrying (Eukonkanto) competition. For more details on these two events you can check out the Hakenpäivä website’s games page. Another fabulous part to the events that take place is the polar bear dive! Well, since I’ve already polar beared at least once in the past, I find it refreshing, but not too many share my feelings. However, there are some brave souls that are willing to make the dive and jump into the icy cold waters of the Portage. The polar bear dive is judged, for those competing for cash prizes, and the contestants will be critiqued on their costumes, presentation, and execution of the dive. The polar bear dive page describes in more detail all the information surrounding the event. My favorite part is the saying placed towards the end: “Back again this year’s polar bear event, designed to warm your spirits, is the jääsauna (a sauna made of ice). Only a Finn would think of something so ‘cool’”. That’s for sure!
For more information surrounding this fun event, check out the Heikinpäivä website that shares the history and more. Its definitely a fun opportunity to get involved in and makes the winter a little bit more entertaining for all.
Coming up this week:The annual Michigan Tech vs. NMU blood and food drive will be held on January 28. The blood-drive competition is in its ninth season and so far Michigan Tech leads with a 7-1 record over the Wildcats. This year something new was added. In addition to donating blood students can also donate can goods to help out with the cause. Last year we obliterated the competition’s record by donating 192 pints of blood. Amazing! So, to keep it going, the UP Regional Blood Center and student leadership organization Circle K will be in West McNair lounge from noon until 6pm to draw blood from any student willing to donate! Since the option is available to donate food as well, then all students on campus can participate and help out. I encourage any student, that if you can make it up there it will be well worth your time.
Big Foot Snowshoe event will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. This event is being put on by Healthy Option for a Wellness Lifestyle (HOWL) from Counseling and Wellness Services as well as the Outdoor Adventure Program (OAP). This is the twelfth year that this event has been taking place on campus where students can get out and enjoy the winter weather. There will be three different courses set up (short, medium, and long) where people can enjoy them at their own pace. Pre-registration for this event is done by downloading the application from either the OAP website or from the Counseling Services website. The application is due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 29 to the Counseling and Wellness Services building (Hamar House next to Fisher Hall). The fee is $10 for students and children and $12 for faculty, staff and community members. The fee includes a free long-sleeved t-shirt, a loaner pair of snowshoes, refreshments and an opportunity to win lots of great raffle prizes. It is sure to be a fun event for those wishing to enjoy the outdoors this weekend.
There are a lot more fun things going on, but for more detail I’ll recommend you check out the Michigan Tech Calendar page. Next week is Carnival Week, so I hope all of you parents are getting excited! I’m definitely looking forward to the fun events and seeing the finished statues. If there are any questions or comments about this article feel free to email me at my personal email address. As always, suggestions for future article topics are welcomed.
Until next week,
- Michigan Technological University
- 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295
- 906-487-1885