Post-FinnFest 2025 Events in Hancock

For a printable PDF version of this schedule, click here.

For more information, call 906-487-7217

Monday August 4

Exhibit Opening: Why did the Finns come to Copper Country?
Finnish American Heritage Center – Open Daily 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. beginning August 4.

This exhibit will focus on the timeline and reasons for Finnish immigration to the Copper Country and explore themes of family, occupation, recreation, and education, as well as social, political, and religious movements among Finnish immigrants and their descendants. Curated by Joanna Chopp, Archivist.

Admission is free. Donations welcome, no registration required.

“Phantom Finn” Discussion and Book Signing
Finnish American Heritage Center – 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Meet sports historian and author Kalle Virtapohja, Phd. along with Jari Salonen, CEO of Paavo Nurmi Games, as they discuss the history of Paavo Nurmi & how the world’s greatest runner bridged Finland and America. Nurmi, the olympian also known as the “Flying Finn,” dominated distance running in the 1920s. Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1,500 metres and 20 kilometres, and won nine gold and three silver medals in his 12 events in the Summer Olympic Games.

Admission is free. No registration required.

Kivajat Dancers Performance & Michigan Heritage Award Ceremony
Finnish American Heritage Center – 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a performance by Hancock’s Kivajat Finnish American Folk Dancers, a children’s folk dancing group that has been active in the Keweenaw for over 20 years. The group’s founder and leader, Kay Seppala, is a 2025 Michigan Heritage Awardee and a representative from the Michigan Traditional Arts Program will be on site to bestow the award during the event.

The Michigan Heritage Awards honor individuals who continue their family and community folk traditions with excellence through practice and teaching, or individuals who are recognized as outstanding community leaders in the maintenance, documentation, or presentation of traditional arts.

Admission is free. Donations welcome, no registration required.

Tuesday August 5

Suomikahvit – Finnish Language Coffee Hour
Finnish American Heritage Center – 2-3 p.m.
Interested in practicing your Finnish language skills in a low-stakes, casual environment? Would you like to be introduced to the basics? Tervetuloa mukaan! Open to all levels of Finnish speakers and learners. Practice pronunciation, vocabulary, basic grammar and more! Complimentary coffee available.

Admission is free.

Finnish International Choir Concert: Songs and Stories of the Heart
Finnish American Heritage Center – 7 p.m.
Songs and Stories of the Heart. If you missed them at FinnFest, or you can’t get enough of them, join us at the Finnish American Heritage Center for a touching evening concert.

Admission: Suggested donation $20. Tickets available at the door.

Wednesday August 6

Finnish International Choir Concert: Community Singalong
Finnish American Heritage Center – 6 p.m.
The Finnish International Choir will join forces with several Copper Country-based groups and individuals to host this community singalong. Come by and take part in the tradition of music, one of our most prized pieces of Finnish and Finnish-American culture.

Admission: Donations welcome, no registration required