Finn Fest celebrates the Finnish heritage of the Frederick, S.D., community along with the Finnish tradition of Juhannus, or Midsummer.

Sign up to volunteer by January 1, 2012, and receive a free Frederick keychain!

The 2011 schedule is below for your reference.
This site will be updated as decisions are made about 2012 events.

Finn Fest 2011 Schedule of Activities
June 17-19, 2011

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

1:00 PM & 3:00 PM Teener Baseball— Baseball Field

6:00 PMCommunity Picnic — $5 admission for a meal and all the evening’s festivities! Simmons Park*

8:00 PM“Miss” Finn contest — You have to see these “misses” to believe it! Male contestants will compete to take home the title and the crown. Come cheer on your favorite “miss.” Simmons Park*

9:00 PMJuhannuskokko (Fire on the Water) — Come see this traditional Scandinavian celebration of midsummer! Bonfires, still seen throughout the Finnish countryside on Midsummer’s Eve, were originally burned to keep away witches or evil spirits. The fire makes an impressive reflection on the water; you might also hear a traditional bonfire-side song or two! Maple River, Simmons Park*

9:30 or dusk Fireworks & Movie “Despicable Me” — Sponsored by Friends of Finn Fest.Simmons Park*

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

All dayFind the Medallion Contest. A scavenger hunt through Frederick! Start at Historical Society building

7:30 AMRegistrationfor 5K Road Race & Fun Walk — Race begins at 8:00 AM. $20 fee includes a T-shirt. Contact Janel Barondeau at 329-2305 with questions. Finns love a little healthy competition! Frederick Area School

8:00 AM-10:00 AMPancake Breakfast — Both Finnish pannukakku (oven-baked pancakes topped with berries and whipped cream) and traditional American pancakes will be served. Frederick Area School

8:00 AM-10:30 AMArt Show: “Woven Together.” The theme is intended to honor both the Finnish (and Finnish-American) folk art of weaving as well as the sense of neighborliness present in tight-knit communities everywhere. — Frederick Area School

9:00 AM Baseball Tournament.Baseball Field

9:00 AM-10:00 AMBake Sale and Finn Bread Tasting — Take home some delicious baked goods, including the locally famous Finn Bread. At least stop by for a taste, and vote for the best Finn Bread! Sponsored by Frederick Forward and community volunteers. Frederick Area School

9:00 AM-4:00 PMHistorical Society Building Open — Finnish museum display; sale of Finnish items and Finn Fest memorabilia, programs, T-shirts, and postcards. You can also purchase raffle tickets for Finnish items; drawing will be held on Sunday before the Saana Ensemble performance. All proceeds support Finn Fest and Frederick Forward. Historical Society building, Main Street

10:30 AMParade — led by Finn Fest Royalty Bob and Val Nixon. Free registration here. Contact Donna Sumption at 380-0336 or e-mail frederickfinnfest {at} gmail.com. Main Street; line up at Frederick Elevator

11:00 AM- 4:00PMInflatables — Purchase a wristband for hours of entertainment! $10. Inflatables start at 11, other children’s activities start at 1. Main Street

11:30 AM Bike races, pedal tractor races, and lawn mower races. Main Street

1:00 PM-4:00 PMChildren’s entertainment — Pony Rides (1-3 PM), Barrel Train, Inflatables. Purchase a wristband for hours of entertainment! $10. Pioneer activities provided for free by Dacotah Prairie Museum. Main Street

1:30 PMFinnish Competitions —Saappaanheitto (boot toss) followed by Eukonkanto (wife carrying). First prize in wife carrying is the wife’s weight in beer!Simmons Park

2:00 PM6x6 Volleyball Tournament — 8 teams max. (Contact Tonya Zinter at 329-2631 to register. Team check-in by 12:45 PM.) Simmons Park

3:00 PMFinnish Activities — Play a Finnish stick-throwing game called Mölkky, also known as Klop, and learn a Finnish dance called Tikkuristi. Keep the beat as the music speeds up! Main Street

4:00 PM“Legends From The Kalevala” — Presented by Tom Watrous of Winnepeg. The presentation includes watercolors of scenes from the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, by Patrick Kroboth of San Francisco. Frederick Area School

5:00 PMMusic by Saana Ensemble — Beautiful harmonies! Finnish-American female vocal group from the Twin Cities. Main Street

6:00 PMBeer, Wine and Coffee Tasting — Enjoy new beer and wine flavors, plus Finnish coffee! Tickets $20. Community Center

9:00 PMMusic by Erik Koskinen — Great roots/country sound! Bring your ID if you want to purchase alcohol. Main Street

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

Please note that due to bad road conditions,
Sunday’s events will be held in Frederick instead of at Savo.

10:00 AMChurch service. Saana Ensemble will sing. St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of First Street and Third Avenue.

11:00 AMMotor Cross, Quad and Utility 4-Wheelers Challenge. 10 a.m. registration. Contact Greg Kopecky @ Kick-N-K Motocross Inc.for information at 329-2627 or 290-0362. North side of Frederick on County Road 5.

11:00 AMArt Show: “Woven Together.” — Frederick Area School

11:30 AMMojakka (stew) with Finn Bread. Free-will offering will benefit the Savo Hall Association.— Frederick Area School

1:00 PMMusic by Saana Ensemble — Beautiful harmonies! Finnish-American women’s vocal group from the Twin Cities. Frederick Area School