It seems every year the weather has a surprise for us, and into every life some rain must fall, but we have SISU and were rewarded with sunshine and a beautiful day to start the Tori/Music Fest for 2025.
The music is always an inspiration and delight for everyone. The THUGS performed so many great songs. The Northern Stars added a Finnish flair to the area, and Country Angel Blue sang old and new songs. This year, the Kisarit Finnish Dancers did their old-time dance routines. Our vendors had so many beautiful displays of merchandise that everyone could find something they really wanted. All their work is a labor of love.
There were several demonstrators, who came from far and near, to show us the old and new ways of how to make something special out of a piece of wool or flax to be spun into threads to make material, weaving on loom making rungs or placemats, Finnish felted slippers, turning birch bark into ornaments or baskets, teaching how to hew logs into useful items, make and take signs and greeting people in the museum in Finnish costumes and the blacksmith pounding out beautiful works or art.
Many children had a fun time making and taking crafts, getting their faces painted, having the balloon artist create all sorts of animals for them, and they made huge bubbles to run through. Spending a summer day in school is fun, because it’s a choice, and they got to sit in old desks with their own chalkboards to write their assignments on.
The smells of the food booths lured people to get their favorite summer treats or to try something new.
Thanks to the many businesses too numerous to name, we had another successful silent auction. There were so many selections, and it was your own fault if you didn’t see and bid on something you liked, or someone else’s if you didn’t get it.
So many people made the day a success. The emcee greeted everyone and made announcements for the bands, the many activities for young and old, had trivia questions, and kept the crowd entertained. There’s always room for everyone when the parking attendants line up the cars and greet everyone with a smile.
The thought of nice, fluffy pancakes, sausages, and fresh-brewed coffee, and someone else to make it all enticed many people to come to the pancake breakfast on Sunday.
We appreciate all the Sponsors who helped make the day possible. They mean so much to us and help us keep the Heritage Site alive and active. We applaud: Sonju’s Two Harbors, Coop Light and Power, Zup’s, North Shore Area Credit Union, Silver Bay Family Dental, Norshor Agency, Lovin’ Lake County, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Clean Water Land and Legacy, Finland Cooperative, and John’s Sanitary Removal.
The day couldn’t happen without all the volunteers who help with everything. Thanks to the big tent crew for putting it up and taking it down, and moving tables and chairs. So many people worked behind the scenes getting the vendors, sponsors, demonstrators, advertisers, making posters, selling and distributing raffle tickets, soliciting silent auction items, buying and making food, setting up signs and poster, hauling ice and pop and other supplies needed, selling merchandise, and all the people who help at the food booths, taking pictures and sound. All your time is valuable, and we appreciate you sharing some of it with us.
The winners of the raffle are: 1st Mike Ostman Two Harbors, MN $500.00, 2nd Phil Scearcy Two Harbors, MN $300.00, 3rd Greg Johnson Silver Bay, MN $200.00, 4th Ed Ekstrom Silver Bay, MN $100.00, 5th Judy Martell Finland, MN, 6th Bob Geatz Finland, MN $100.00, 7th Rachel Cooper White Beaver Lake, MN $100.00, 8th Demitrius Hill Finland, MN $100.00. The sun was shining, everyone had a good time, and we did it all together……THANK YOU!!
See you next year, the second Saturday in August.
