08/17/2026
🇫🇮 This year we were blessed with a perfect day of blue skies, sunshine and a slight wind and everything seemed to work out well for everyone. The crowd was delighted with wonderful songs of the past by ”THUG” (Two Harbors Ukulele Group), great Finnish tunes by “The Northern Stars” and a great mix of old and new by “The Bare Bones Band”. The music sets the momentum for a great spirited crowd.
Walking the grounds was so much fun because there were so many vendors selling a big variety of merchandise. It was hard to pick and choose just the right item. We thank them for sharing their crafts with us! The demonstrators showed their many skills of log hewing, blacksmithing, felting, spinning, weaving and more. There are so many talented people in the area!
There were so many items on the silent auction tables that it was hard to decide which ones to bid on.. and then when you thought you had it figured out, someone outbid you. Thank you to all the businesses and individuals, who gave so generously to support us!
The tantalizing smell of the food wafted throughout the grounds. A person just had to get a taste of more than one thing and it was scrumptious. Thanks to the great cooks and helpers!
The kids’ attention was drawn to the money sawdust pile to see who could dig out the most money and they soon spent it on other goodies. The bouncy house is always famous and the splash pad cooled them off. They had lots of creative things going on! They may have been a little late for the school day, but they enjoyed it too, because teacher Ada kept them occupied with many subjects.
Thanks to Joanie Anderson and Danette Sherman for calling people’s attention to the raffle ticket booth and to all the great ticket sellers, who did such a great job, especially Allen Anderson, who sold 80 books! All the tickets on sight were sold.
The 2026 winners were: 1st Teri Klinker, Finland, 2nd John Boynton, Superior, WI, 3rd Honor Schauland, Finland, 4th Becky Kofstad, Colorado, 5th Kathy Bizzaro, Colorado, 6th Vicky Plunc, Waconia, MN, 7th Sharon Rick, Silver Bay, 8th Tucker Gerrick, Mpls. MN.
The parking attendants did an excellent job and we took in the most donations ever! Thanks for all the support for the society and for these great guys, who stand in the heat most of the day… you’re great!
We always appreciate the Sponsors who help us out by paying some of the expenses. They mean so much to us, so be sure to patronize those businesses, too! Special thanks to Lovin’ Lake County, North Shore Federal Credit Union, NorShor Agency, Cooperative Light & Power, Silver Bay Family Dental, North Shore AgroEcology Center, John’s Sanitary Removal, Sonju Two Harbors, Adam’s Automotive, Cleveland Cliffs, Inc, Finland Co-op and Thrivent.
The Tori Finnish Marketplace and Music Festival wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for all our volunteers. Thanks to the many people who set up and take down the tent, move picnic tables, set up canopies, tables & chairs, mark vendor spots, put up and take down signs, and more. Before the Tori, people are selling tickets, buying food, making posters + putting them up, soliciting local businesses for silent auction items, collecting donations and organizing. The list goes on and on, and we are thankful for all the help.. and some aren’t even members. YOU ARE ALL GREAT!
Everyone enjoys breakfast in the out of doors, especially when someone else is cooking it. A big crowd came out and enjoyed the annual pancake breakfast. Thank you!
A great time was had by all, and another big event is over for this year, but we’ll be back next year with bigger and better things to offer! Thanks again to everyone who help make this event successful! The money raised goes to the Heritage Site for maintenance for the buildings and grounds.
Don’t forget the 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Heritage Site on September 12th at 2pm! EVERYONE WELCOME!
Kiitos! đź’™
-The Finland Historical Society
