Juhannus: Summer is Here

Juhannus, a midsummer celebration held near Misery Bay on the Keweenaw Peninsula, was one of the highlights of our recent screening tour of the UP. We ran into old friends and made some new ones. Accompanied by percussionist Randy Seppala, who plays bones and spoons with Johnny Perona in our film, the band Toivo played traditional Finnish music. People danced the Schottische. The Turun Metsankavijat Wind Band, who a few days before had performed at the Italian Hall wreath-laying ceremony, added to the festive atmosphere. Down on the lakeshore, the everything had been made ready for the lighting of the big bonfire — the Juhannuskokko. Here are some scenes from that evening.

Summer is here.

5 thoughts on “Juhannus: Summer is Here

  1. Jane Lynch

    Thanks for sharing! It really was a great event. (It was at Agate Beach, though, NOT Misery Bay! They are two different areas.)

  2. Eileen & Dale

    Glad you could witness one of our finer Finnish traditional events.

    I also heard on the local radio station Monday, a nice comment about the 1913 Massacre Filming that was shown in Ontonagon on Sunday night.

  3. Ida Duffy

    It was an awesome day at Agate Beach…so many people!!!! The Toivola Volunteer Fire Department and friends worked very hard to make it a wonderful event! Thanks!

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