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.