The 2010 Heikinpäivä Parade heads down Quincy Street in Hancock on Saturday, Jan. 30. (Photos by Keweenaw Now unless otherwise indicated.)
Melvin Kangas, Finlandia University professor of music and drama director, awarded the title of Hankooki Heikki, reigns over the 2010 Heikinpäivä festivities on Saturday, Jan. 30. (Photo copyright and courtesy Roland Burgan)
Carrying the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) banner are Jay Green and Sandy Aronson, followed by Sons of Norway member Bryan Milde (in red jacket) with the banner announcing the Feb. 7 Barneløpet (Children's Race) at Maasto Hiihto.
The Finnish American Reporter, based in Hancock, offers news for Finns and Finnish Americans. Reporter David Maki carries the banner with Linda Graham of Ontonagon. The Michigan Tech Pep Band adds some lively music to the parade.
Hancock Mayor William Laitila, right, walks with Dan Maki, Finlandia University professor, in the 2010 Heikinpäivä Parade.
Finnish Theme Committee representatives Debbie Kurtti, left, wearing a Finnish national costume and Glenn Tapio, far right, carry the banner of the community group that is responsible for organizing the Heikinpäivä festival.
Teacher Maija Stadius, right, and her Barkell Elementary School second graders.
Finlandia University students and the Finlandia Lion march in the parade.
The Finlandia Lion is ready to roar ...
Some Finlandia international students and International Club members join in the fun.
Melvin Kangas, as Hankooki Hekki, rides in the reindeer sleigh.
The Kivajat children's dance group, under the direction of Kay Seppala (last year's Hankooki Heikki), entertained in Finland last summer.
These horses are ready to take visitors for a wagon ride.
Mushers parade with their racing dogs.
State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) tosses candy to children watching the parade.
Characters from the Kalevala, the Finnish epic, add a colorful bit of folklore to the parade.
Yueh-mei Cheng, Finlandia University art professor, left, joins the Kalevala swan, Lauren Strong, a student in Finlandia's International School of Art and Design.
After the parade Kaisa Randolph, right, Finlandia faculty member and Finnish instructor, in Kalevala costume, chats in Finnish with a friend.
During the Wife-carrying competition, Kent Randell, Finnish American Heritage Center archivist, wearing a gakti in honor of his Saami ancestors from Lapland, and his wife, Christine Randell, in a Karelian folk costume, "warm up" at the sauna.
Christine Randell demonstrates a sauna custom.
Wife-carrying contest participants get ready for the last sprint after stopping for coffee ... (Photo copyright and courtesy Roland Burgan)
... and head for the "Finnish" line.
A young visitor to Heikinpäivä has fun with a Finnish kicksled.
The human-powered whipsled is popular with kids.
Two young women leap together into the icy waters of the Portage during the Polar Bear Dive. (Photo copyright and courtesy Roland Burgan)
In they go! (Photo copyright and courtesy Roland Burgan)
They did it! (Photo copyright and courtesy Roland Burgan)
It's Finlandia University President Phil Johnson about to test the waters ...
In he goes! (Photos by Keweenaw Now)
A leap of faith! The frogman at far right remained in the water for the entire length of the Polar Bear event. The shovel at left was not needed for rescues, fortunately.
Polar Bear divers head for the hot tub at the Ramada Inn as visitors brave the cold to watch the annual event.
Finn Hall entertains with Finnish tunes Saturday morning in the Finnish American Heritage Center.
Oren Tikkanen and Friends provide music for visitors to the Tori Market in Hancock's First United Methodist Church. Playing with Oren, left, are, from left, Dave Bezotte, Matt Durocher, Kelly Suvanto and Coleman Segal.
Artist Dorn Dittmer, left, chats with musician Randy Seppala during the Tori.
At the Tori in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Charles Young, musician and artist, demonstrates a Kantele he made.
Sidney Butler, artist and harpist, displays her glass art at the Finnish American Heritage Center Tori.
Back at the Methodist Church, Carol exhibits her hand-crafted jewelry.
And who is this lovely mystery woman in traditional dress, selling a sample of Finnish cuisine?
J. R. DeMers, Finlandia University student of fiber arts, demonstrates some of her wool creations.
Peggy Barkell offers for sale her hand-knit mittens, baby sweaters and more at the Heikinpäivä Tori.
