FAFF bustling into Naselle July 25-27

The biennial Finnish-American Folk Festival will be arriving in Naselle on July 25-27.

Most events will take place at the Naselle School at the junction of Highway 401 and SR4. Hailed as one of the most authentic folk festivals in the state, this community event not only has performances and lectures but also offers exhibits of crafts, photography, genealogy, films, logging displays, arts, music, buffet dinners and the Tori (market) for shopping as well as sporting events like the Paavo Nurmi Run and the Wife Carry, the Boot Throw and the Nokia Phone Toss for fun. Demonstrations of all kinds from food to dancing to researching ancestors and immigrant passenger lists to arts and crafts make up the “hands on” atmosphere of this festival.

Twenty three performing groups will participate. Vocalists and choirs, dancers, visitors and also home grown and talented local groups will perform.

July 25 will kick off with the Paavo Nurmi Run, an opening ceremony with keynote from Consul Emeritus Norman Westerberg introduced by Anna Ehrlund. The festival will then have events taking place all over the school and performers on two stages in the courtyard and in the stadium. Performances will be held in the afternoon for children. Friday evening will feature soloists in a quiet concert setting at the Naselle Commons. A “Video Surprise” from Naselle students of Lori Dearmore will feature local sites and prominent residents.

Saturday evening will feature a composite concert, raffle and family style dance. Sunday the festival sponsors a community worship service in the stadium followed by the official closing of the festival as well as coffee hour. Following the coffee hour a unique event called “Paying our Respects, a Remembrance and Hope Ceremony” will close out the festival.

Kardemimmit, a group of singers and kantele players are flying in from Espoo near Helsinki for their first performance and subsequent Northwest tour in America.

The world’s first Kantele Mass will have a special performance at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Naselle Assembly of God. This off campus site will be served by the trolley; it is a mile west of the school. Master Kantele player Wilho Saari and his wife Kaisa, along with friends, will host the Kantele Room in the school, including demonstrations, short concerts, and one-on-one abbreviated lessons in playing a small kantele. The Naselle Kanteles, consisting of Wilho Saari, May Saari Adair, and Karen Saari will perform Friday night only. Saari, with assistance from the Washington State Arts Commission grant, taught children from Naselle Elementary on the 5 & 10 stringers during the school year. These “Kantele Kids” will also perform Saturday evening.

Bands such as Carl Wirkkala and The Ghost Town Boys, Folk Voices Birgit and Philip Ages, and the Smilin’ Scandinavians will provide variety. The Naselle Choir, Naselle School’s Marimba Band, and Bobby Saari with his daughters will also provide entertainment.