FITCHBURG — The Finnish Center at Saima Park will host its annual Summer Festival, “Kesäjuhla” from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at the center, 67 Scott Road.
To start off the day, George Mirijanian, director of the Wachusett Chess Club, will run the Dana M. Sulin Memorial Chess Tournament. Registration will be held from 8:45 until 9:15 a.m., followed by play at 9:30 a.m.
Beginning at 10 a.m., the festival will feature games for all ages, a festival artist, books and music for sale by the Raivaaja Foundation, and visits throughout the library and Sauna museum.
Hot dogs and chips will be sold at 11 a.m., followed by a chicken barbecue dinner from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Hot and cold beverages, along with “pulla” Finnish bread, will be for sale throughout the day.
To reserve a chicken barbecue dinner, please e-mail [email protected] or call 978-407-9690. Cost is $15, payable at the event.
“This year’s artist, lapidarist Anita Honkonen, will be in the Ravintola to show examples of her work and to share her knowledge about cutting and polishing stone, along with a demonstration,” said Lorna Sulin, member of the Finnish Center at Saima Park.
At 1:30 p.m., Mirijanian will speak about “The Cultural and Economic Contributions of Finnish Immigrants and Their Descendants to Fitchburg and the Surrounding Area”.
”Music and dancing will enliven the celebration with the following performances,”Sulin said.
The Fitchburg State University Community Orchestra will perform from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.; the Oivan Ilo Folk Group will perform from 12:30 until 1 p.m. and again from 2 until 2:30 p.m.; and the Revontulet Folk Dancers will perform from 2 until 2:30 p.m.
The groups are led by Dr. Hildur Schilling, Christine Anderson, and Leila Luopa, respectively. Luopa will lead festival goers in some dancing, and people are invited to dance at other times as well.
Beginning at 1 p.m. several presentations will be made.
Scholarships will be awarded to four deserving students, the winner of the chess tournament will be announced, and raffle winners will be drawn.
A plaque will be dedicated in memory of Jim M. Laakso.
“Before losing his courageous battle with cancer at age 43, Jim donated generously to the Finnish Center at Saima Park,” said Sulin. “During his lifetime, he attended many events there, and his grandparents and great-grandparents were longtime, active members.
“We invite the community to kick off summer at the Finnish Center,” Sulin added.
For more information, visit https://www.saima-park.org or Friends of Saima Park on Facebook.
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