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.
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- As the sun began to set, people staked out positions on Agate Beach for the lighting of the Juhannuskokko — the big bonfire.
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- The Sami Jienat Choir had been warming up the crowd on the beach, and continued to sing as the fire was lit.
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- Kayakers came in for a closer view.
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- The light of the Juhannuskokko merged with the sky.
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- Children whooped and ran around, people laughed and chatted and cheered as the fire burned.
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- Eventually the tower collapsed.
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- The sky changed to orange as the collapsed bonfire burned.
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- This was the scene as we made our way back up the sandy bank.
Summer is here.
Thanks for sharing! It really was a great event. (It was at Agate Beach, though, NOT Misery Bay! They are two different areas.)
It was a beautiful evening. And it’s a long way from New York City to Misery Bay or Agate Beach, so forgive the oversight. I changed the text to read “near” Misery Bay.
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.
I wish we could have heard it. Nice comments always welcome!
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!