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usage in Finnish communities, the research-
ers traveled across Canada and the Ameri-
can Midwest, then to Grays Harbor and the
Lower Columbia region, where they inter-
viewed Finnish residents.
At the time, Sue Pakenen Holway was
already collecting historic photographs
and writing down stories from local immi-
grants. Korhola encouraged her to continue
the work and expand her contacts. Hol-
way, alongside others in Naselle who were
intrigued with Finnish heritage, thought
an outdoor festival displaying arts, music,
crafts and food might be an appealing way
to share their findings.
A group of interested organizers in
the region soon applied for a grant from
Humanities Washington, a program of the
National Endowment for the Arts. They
then recruited more than 60 volunteers to
create a single-day event in 1982 at a local
school.
They expected that perhaps a few hun-
dred people might attend the new festival,
but were astounded that over 3,000 partook
in revelries that lasted until midnight. Thus,
Naselle’s Finnish American Folk Festival
was born.
This year’s festivities begin at 10 a.m.
on Friday with films, cultural program-
ming and workshops in the commons of the
Naselle School building. Welcome ceremo-
nies and Maypole dancing will be held at
noon.
Late afternoon on Friday will be filled
with performances, including from the Soit-
torasia Finnish-American Trio. The group
will be honoring Wilho Saari, a late kan-
tele player. Later, author Karl Marlantes
and singer-songwriter Eeppi Ursin will each
take the stage.
“We are so excited to have Eeppi Ursin
with us (on) both Friday and Saturday
nights,” Barb Swanson, one of the festival’s
organizers, said.
A flurry of events are scheduled for Sat-
urday, starting early with a Pannukakku
pancake breakfast and “Paavo Nurmi” run
and walk at 8 a.m. Also slated are compet-
itive games such as the wife-carry contest,
boot toss and Nokia phone toss. An opening
ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., when con-
test winners will be announced.
“There’s so much to do. There will be
special activities for kids, the tori market-
place with so many things to buy and eat,”
Swanson said. “There also will be food
demonstrations all day making Finnish spe-
cialties like pancakes, rye bread, flat bread
or cinnamon rolls and exhibits of vintage
items and art,” she added.
Grays River Grange will sponsor a
salmon dinner from noon to 3 p.m. on Sat-
urday, while more musical performances
Natalie St. John
Maypole dancers perform at a previous festival.
Singer-songwriter and pianist Eeppi Ursin is scheduled to perform during this year’s festival.
‘THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO. THERE WILL BE SPECIAL
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS, THE TORI MARKETPLACE
WITH SO MANY THINGS TO BUY AND EAT.’
Barb Swanson, Finnish American Folk Festival organizer
will be held at the Grabenhorst-Hall Field-
house. Performances from the Nordic
Viking Scandia Dancers and the Katrilli
Dancers will follow.
“We’ll have seven class reunions going
on during festivities,” Swanson said.
She notes that the reunions are a festival
tradition.
More Saturday evening entertainment is
slated later, including violinist Kim Angelis
and pianist Jennifer Goodenberger.
On Sunday, a nondenominational wor-
ship service will be held at Rueben Pent-
tila field. Coffee and pulla will be served
afterwards.
Who knew that a professor from Hel-
sinki, Finland, and his curious assistant
would spawn such a delightful event?
Maypole dancers smile in costume during a
moment’s pause at a previous festival.
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 // 9