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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2018)
22 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Continued from Page 4 More than 30 years later, the founders are still amazed. “Well, I might have started the spark plug and had the vision, but the support was overwhelming,” Holway said. Devoted to education This year, the biennial festival’s theme is “Finnish 101,” which encompasses the ways the festival teach- es Finnish heritage and culture and pays homage to the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence, plus one year. One such example of “Finnish 101” are various “classrooms” set up like mini museums and devoted to education. Bjornsgard — who, along with her sister founded Fin- nware in downtown Astoria before it was sold eight years ago — will set up a room she calls “Finnish Design 101.” The room will feature vin- DAMIAN MULINIX PHOTO The Sami flag waves next to the Finnish flag during the opening ceremony of the Naselle Finn Fest in 2014. The Sami flag is the flag of the various Nordic countries, including Finland. tage to modern Finnish tex- tiles, woodwork, glassware, clothing, jewelry and knives. Some notable names include Iittala and Arabia glassware, PENINSULA SADDLE CLUB Aarikka wooden jewelry and Marimekko fabric design — all originating from Finland. For the playful at heart Anita Raistakka, who was born and raised in Naselle, is yet another Finn whose sisu has helped Finn Fest thrive over the past three decades. She is the chair of the Cultural Programming Series, which hosts a lecture series. The educational talks are a unique part of Finn Fest that sets it apart from the Scandina- vian Midsummer Festival in & WOODY’S SEPTIC SPECIALTIES PRESENT 73RD ANNUAL PAPA Presents: Astoria. While not a comprehen- sive list, a sampling of visiting speakers includes Sámi Tromsö and John Stephens from The University of Hel- sinki; Dan Karvonon from the University of Minnesota; and Tuomas Holvi from the Uni- versity of Turku in Finland. For the more playful at heart, Raistakka recommends a lesson in Finnish humor with events like the “Wife Carry,” the “Nokia Phone Toss” and “Molkky,” an out- door bowling game. “Little kids to grandpar- ents can participate in any of these fun events,” she said. “The Nokia phone toss is a lot of fun, and anyone who can throw a Nokia phone the (farthest) is the winner.” Finn for a day Mike Swanson, chair of the Finn Fest, and his wife, Barb Swanson, bring their own sisu to Finn Fest; Mike Swanson’s mother, Sally Manula Swanson, was one of the original founders. Man- ula’s parents — Swanson’s grandparents — came over from Finland around the early 1900s and eventually settled in Naselle. Mike considers Finn Fest a reunion of sorts “with a lot of people wearing blue” — and with something for everyone. He recommends Friday: “It’s the very best day to come out and see the exhibits, tour the “tori” (marketplace) with more than 20 vendors, and check out the various events.” “And everyone can be a Finn for the day, so to speak,” he said. Swanson expects a large turn-out this year, especial- ly on Saturday night when Giants in the Trees, a local band headed by former Nir- vana band member Krist Novoselic, will perform. “If you’re coming for Giants in the Trees, I suggest (coming) early because we may have a big overflow crowd,” Swan- son said. But even with the crowds growing year after year, Finn Fest is still small enough to retain its original charm, and still crucial enough for the community of Naselle to invest in every other year. “Once we start something, we’re going to ‘Finnish’ it,” Mike joked. “Sisu is guts and fortitude. My wife would say it’s actual- ly stubbornness, but she’s not a Finn,” he smiled. “We stick to the job and get it done.” CW “She’s Dangerous” - Bo Diddley Duffy is... A Force of Nature! J uly 28 & 29, 2018 A Powerful Blues Blaster and Sultry Soul Singer! 1:00 p.m. Rodeo Parade Friday 6:30 Downtown Long Beach Family Night starts Saturday after Rodeo DUFFY BISHOP Featuring Free Fun events for kids up to 12 Latigo & Lace Drill Team • Concessions Rodeo Clown • Mechanical Bull • Beer Garden Admission: PRES ALE Adults $9.50 • Seniors $8.50 • Children (6-12 yrs.) $4.50 * Peninsula Pharmacy Adults $10.00 • Seniors $9.00 • Children (6-12yrs.) $5.00 • Children 5 & under FREE COWBOY BREAKFAST AND THE DUFFY BISHOP BAND Discover pass not required WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 7:30 PM More Info about the show and our organization @ papatheater.org Sat. & Sun. 7a.m. til 11 a.m . 6407 Sandridge Road • Info 1-800-451-2542 LONG BEACH, WASHINGTON Stay connected with us on Facebook & Instagram @papatheater Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashmen & Tim Rice, Book by Linda Wolverton, Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth. Presented through special arrangement with music theatre international (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com NCRD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 36155 9TH STREET NEHALEM, OREGON WWW.NCRD.ORG THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS... TICKETS ADVANCE SALES $18+TICKET FEE RESERVED SEATING $23+TICKET FEE AT THE DOOR $23+TICKET FEE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETTOMATO.COM - art happens - Jack Kenne