Midsummer festival at Mesaba Co-op Park

In this July 4, 1937 photo taken at Mesaba Co-op Park, we see Ethel Winquist Lapakko, active in Young Communist League, unionizing of lumber camps with Matt Savola. PHOTO via www.tcorganizer.com.

In this July 4, 1937 photo taken at Mesaba Co-op Park, we see Ethel Winquist Lapakko, active in Young Communist League, unionizing of lumber camps with Matt Savola. PHOTO via www.tcorganizer.com.

This weekend, the living vestige of Iron Range history known as Mesaba Co-op Park holds its 87th annual Midsummer Festival. The park, located near Cherry east of Hibbing on North Star Lake off Highway 37, was built by Finnish-Americans in 1929.

The Midsummer Festival includes fun for all ages, music, food, storytelling, outdoor activities and more — and of course a bonfire and maypole dance.

I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be part of a 1:30 panel discussion on Saturday afternoon. I’ll join Timberjay publisher Marshall Helmberger and Virginia city councilor Nevada Littlewolf to talk about “Leadership: Who Speaks for You.”

As an aside, I’ll remark that I think I’m the only person to have speaking engagements with the Blandin Foundation and Mesaba Co-op Park in the same week. Interestingly, I’m saying pretty much the same thing.

The theme of the Midsummer Festival is “Paradise is the Park.” You don’t have to be a member of the co-op to attend, but there is a cost for food.

Here’s the press release —

On Friday evening, after a BBQ supper, Charlie Ezell is the M.C. for an Open Stage Cabaret.  This is an opportunity for Park members and others to showcase their unique talents — music, spoken word, humor, dance, you name it!  Festive attire is encouraged. Following the Open Stage will be a raft fire on the lake and Lakeside Remembrances.

Saturday begins with breakfast, morning yoga in the yurt, and the “Mesaba Café,” a two-hour informal storytelling and music sharing, complete with refreshments. Lunch will be served at Noon in the dining hall.

At 1:30 p.m., a panel presentation and dialogue, “Leadership 2016: Who Speaks for You?” will be held in the Dance Hall.   Panelists include Aaron Brown, radio personality and college instructor; Marshall Helmberger, editor of the award winning newspaper, The Timberjay, and Nevada Littlewolf, Virginia City Council member and activist.  (See links below for speakers.) Special activities for children 5-12 years old will be offered throughout the day.

Terrence Smith’s Maypole Dance for all ages will enliven the crowd before the social hour on the pavilion breezeway. Dinner is a creation by chef Colleen Betts of Food Magic — a mouth watering menu featuring amazing Finnish dishes for vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Following dinner, Oscar Forsman kicks-off the all-ages traditional dance.  Then the evening accelerates as “The Brass Messengers” take the stage. (www.brassmessengers.com)  At 11 p.m, the Midsummer Juhannus bonfire will be lit.

Sunday events include breakfast, a poetry circle, the Park’s annual meeting, and mojakka (beef stew) cooked outdoors over an open fire.  Admission is $15 (adult) for the weekend and includes free camping.  Children under 13 enter for free.  Meals are available at additional cost.

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