Finn Fest extra

Jack Rajala, my first cousin, will be one of Saturday’s featured speakers at FinnFest. His talk is titled "The Tale of Two Forests." 

Jack recalled that many years ago our grandfather, Ivar Rajala, visited Finland, accompanied by Jack’s parents and another aunt and uncle. Among the sights they took in were the managed forests in Finland. Grandpa Ivar was impressed with how attractive and robustly healthy they appeared. When he looked at Minnesota forests, which were a jumble of weedy undergrowth and fallen dead trees, he said, "What a mess!"

So go listen to Jack’s presentation and others, shop, enjoy music, crafts-- So much to do, so little time.

Finnfest is August 7-10 in Minneapolis.

 
Saturday and Sunday are Family Days. Children ages 16 and under get in free.  Adult tickets are $35 for one day, $60 for any two days, $80 for all four days.

Nikki

FinnFest 2014 in Minneapolis

Coming soon: FinnFest 2014 is coming to Minneapolis, Minnesota. This year’s theme — “the 150th Anniversary of the Start of Modern Finnish Immigration to North America.” It’ll be at Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Center, from August 4-10.

Pre-conference days feature forums, a genealogy workshop and a guided tour to Cokato, Minnesota (the longest continuous Finnish-American community in North America) and special FinnFest seating at a Twins baseball game August 5.

August 7-10 feature lectures on a wide variety of topics, panel discussions, music from folk to classical (mingled with world, jazz, pop and rock). Shop at the tori, for Finnish arts, crafts, books and specialties.

Special art exhibits — Minneapolis Institute of Arts, American Swedish Institute and Textile Center. Special expeditions — a river cruise, the tour of Cokato, the Twins game.

Tickets were priced to include families so children ages 16 and under are free, and Saturday and Sunday are Family Days. For adults, tickets are $35 for one day, $60 for any two days, $80 for all four days. Sounds like a great deal — so get your tickets early.

Nikki