Community Choice
Celebrate summer at annual Finnish Festival

The 102nd annual New England Finnish Summer Festival (Kesäjuhla) will take place Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29, at Saima Park on Scott Road. Festivities begin with a Summer Festival Breakfast on Saturday. Finnish oven pancake pannukakku will be served from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $5. That night, musical group Band'o - Sillanpää from Finland will perform at 7:30 p.m. After the concert there will be a bonfire (kokko) for all to enjoy. Tickets are $10 at the door. Coffee and pulla is included in the price. Also, cheese donated by Cabot cheese will be served with crackers.

The main festival day on Sunday begins with a mile-long Fun Walk at 10:30 a.m. A cultural program at the clubhouse will begin at 1:30 p.m., featuring the Revontulet folk dance group accompanied by Oivan Ilo, followed by the choral group Stämbandet. Following Stämbandet will be the Finnish play "At the Post Office," in English translation. Mark Grammel, of Leominster, is the Festival Artist. He will show his drawings, paintings and graphic illustrations. Other activities include a moonwalk for the children, storytelling, and a bookstore. A chicken barbecue will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with other refreshments served throughout the day. Tickets are $8 for the barbecue. Proceeds of this festival benefit the RAIVAAJA and the preservation of Saima Park. Call

978) 343-3822 or visit raivaaja@net1plus.com