The world's largest Finnish festival is returning to Marquette Wednesday August 10 through Sunday August 14.The world's largest Finnish festival is returning to Marquette Wednesday August 10 through Sunday August 14. Finn Grand Fest 2005 kicks off with a opening parade followed by the opening ceremony held at Lakeview Arena in Marquette. A cast of thousands and an audience chant-along will surely put you in the mood for the Finnish celebration.
Dozens of musicians are scheduled to perform throughout the week including a children's opera to keep the little ones entertained. The opera, based on a Finnish children's book, will be performed in original Finnish, however, the visual content and some preliminary explanation will help those who don't understand Finnish follow the story easily. A Gala Day at the Co-operative Store, will be performed every evening of the fest. It is a revival of a play originally written for use at the Upper Midwest Finn halls in the 1920s when a touring company staged it to promote the co-operative movement among Finnish Americans. Melvin Kangas, director of the play, has slightly changed the script for this production, adding some local color. Jorma Kaukonen will perform Tuesday August 9, the night before the official opening of Finn Grand Fest. Jorma has been a musician since the '60s, but more recently has become known as a blues guitarist. He has performed with various backup musicians and with his band called Hot Tuna. Viktor Klimenko is Russia's present to the world. He will grace us with his melancholic gypsy songs, passionate Russian romances, and nostalgic electric gospel music at the worship services.
The brief list of main events follows (times and some events are subject to change). Remember, you must register to attend most Finn Grand Fest events! Visit the official Finn Grand Fest web site at www.finngrandfest2005.com for more information about registration.
Sunday, August 7 & Monday, August 8
? Area Tours
Tuesday, August 9
? Area tours
? On-site registration area opens, NMU University Center
? 7:30pm Jorma Kaukonen concert, Kaufman Auditorium
Wednesday, August 10
? Area Tours
? Pre-festival Day of Theology Conference
? 5pm Opening Parade
? 6:30pm Opening Ceremony, Lakeview Arena
? 8:30pm "Gala Day" Play (each nite thru Sun.)
? 8pm Dances, NMU University Ctr./Up Front & Company
Thursday, August 11
? 7am Walk-Run, Presque Isle Park
? 10am Market/Tori opens (open daily thru Sun.)
? 8am - 5pm Multiple Events, NMU
? 7:30pm Gala Festival Concert, Lakeview Arena
? 8pm Dances, NMU University Ctr./Up Front & Company
Friday, August 12
? 8am - 5pm Multiple Events, NMU
? 2:30pm "Five Women" play opens
? 7:30pm Finn Hall Variety Show, Lakeview Arena
? 8pm Dances, NMU University Ctr./Up Front & Company
Saturday, August 13
? 8am - 5pm Multiple Events, NMU
? 8am - 1pm Golf scramble, Marquette Golf Club
? 1pm - 3pm World's Largest Sauna Event
? 6pm Social Hour & Banquet, Superior Dome
? 9pm Dances, NMU University Ctr./Up Front & Company
Sunday, August 14
? 9am Finnish worship service
? 11am English worship service
? 3pm Closing ceremony