Kesäjuhla/Summer Festival at Saima Park
Written By:
Finlandia Foundation
Sunday, June 22, 10am-3pm
67 Scott Rd, Fitchburg, MA
The Finnish Center at Saima Park will host its annual Summer Festival, “Kesäjuhla”, on Sunday, June 22, from 10am to 3pm. To start off the day, Wachusett Chess Club director George Mirijanian will run the Dana M. Sulin Memorial Chess Tournament. Registration is from 8:45- 9:15am; play begins at 9:30. Other festival features begin at 10:00: games for all ages, festival artist, hot and cold beverages and “pulla”, Finnish bread sales, and Raivaaja Foundation sales of books and music. The Library and Sauna Museums will both be open to visitors.
Hot dogs and chips go on sale at 11:00, and a delicious chicken barbecue dinner will be served from 11:30-12:30. To reserve a dinner, email finnishcenter@yahoo.com or call 978-407-9690. Dinner price is $15, payable at the event.
This year’s artist is lapidarist Anita Honkonen. She will be in the Ravintola to show examples of her work and to share her knowledge about cutting and polishing stone, including a demonstration.
At 1:30, George Mirijanian will speak about “The Cultural and Economic contributions of Finnish Immigrants and Their Descendants to Fitchburg and the Surrounding Area”.
Music and dancing will enliven the celebration. The Fitchburg State University Community Orchestra (11:30-12:30), Oivan Ilo Folk Group (12:30-1:00; 2:00-2:30), and Revontulet Folk Dancers (2:00-2:30) will perform. The groups are led by Dr. Hildur Schilling, Christine Anderson, and Leila Luopa, respectively. Leila will lead festival goers in some dancing, and people are invited to dance at other times as well.
Beginning at 1:00, several presentations will be made. Scholarships will be awarded to four deserving students, the winner of the chess tournament will be announced, and raffle winners will be drawn. A plaque will be dedicated in memory of Jim M. Laakso. Before losing his courageous battle with cancer at age 43, Jim donated generously to the Finnish Center at Saima Park. During his lifetime, he attended many events there, and his grandparents and great- grandparents were longtime, active members.
Come to Saima Park to celebrate summer with fun, food, and entertainment! The Park is located at 67 Scott Road in Fitchburg, MA. Visit us at https://www.saima-park.org or Friends of Saima Park on Facebook.
Event details:
8:45-9:15- Registration for the Dana M. Sulin Memorial Chess Tournament
9:30 – Chess tournament with George Mirijanian
10:00-1:00 – Games + Festival artist + Raivaaja Foundation
Library and Sauna Museums + “Basket” Raffle
Membership table. Join, or renew your membership through September 2026.
Food: (cash please)
10:00 – Hot and cold beverages, Finnish coffee bread, cinnamon rusks.
Loaves of pulla/coffee bread, korppu/rusks, Reikäleipä
11:00 – Hot dogs & chips
11:30-12:30 Chicken barbecue dinner: half chicken, potato salad, cucumber salad, cranberry sauce, bread and butter. $15. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. finnishcenter@yahoo.com or 978-407-9690
Program:
11:30-12:30 FSU Community Orchestra, directed by Dr. Hildur Schilling
12:30-1:00 Oivan Ilo folk musicians, with Christine Anderson
1:00 – Scholarship awards. Raffle winners drawn. Chess winner announced. Dedication of Jim Laakso memorial plaque.
1:30 – Speaker George Mirijanian: “The Cultural and Economic Contributions of Finnish Immigrants and Their Descendants to Fitchburg and the Surrounding Area”
2:00 – Revontulet Folk Dancers, directed by Leila Luopa, accompanied by Oivan Ilo
Free Parking and Admission. DONATIONS WELCOME!
Finnish Center at Saima Park. https://saima-park.otg. Facebook Friends of Saima Park
