Page 6 • Valley Bugler • July 2014
Finnish American Folk Festival Are you a Finn, or just want to pretend for a few days? Looking for lutefisk? Then the Finnish-American Festival is right up your alley. The little community of Naselle, Washington, hosts a weekend summer festival every other year, the Finnish American Folk Festival, July 25th-26th. Why? There are a lot of Finns in the area. And they don’t seem at all ashamed. So, come join the unashamed (shameless?) fun! For the whole family!! Add an exclamation point or two!!! The schedule of performers at the upcoming Finnish-American Festival in Naselle, WA, has been completed with an excellent range of talent from both near and far that is sure to please festival-goers. A “soft” start to the festival will occur on Friday, July 25th, at 12:30 pm with the National Anthem and the Maypole Dancers. Later that evening, between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, performances by Lisa Bighill, the Naselle Kanteles, the Willapa Hills group, and the Naselle Finnish-American Choir will take place in the Naselle-Grays River Valley School Commons. On Saturday, July 26th, the main opening of the festival will begin at 10 am in the stadium. Stadium performances will occur between 11:30 am to 4 pm that include the Naselle
Marimba Band, Carl Wirkkala and the Ghost Town Boys, the final performance of the Maypole Dancers, songs by Gene Quillhaugh, music by Folk Voice, music and song by Acustica World Music, dancing by the Astoria Scandinavian Dancers, and music and song by Allotar. Early afternoon performances will also take place inside the school in the commons area between 1:15 to 4 pm. These performances are scheduled to include: the Astoria Scandinavian Dancers, music on cello by Dale Bradley, the Naselle Kanteles, songs by Lois Bighill, dancing by the Katrilli Dancers, and music on the kantele and harp by Valerie Blessley. Evening performances will begin at 6 pm featuring songs by As a Sparrow, music by Folk Voice, music and songs by Dolores Villa Real from Acustica World Music, music and songs by Aallotar, and songs by the Naselle Finnish-American Choir. Following the conclusion of performances there will be a raffle. At the conclusion of the raffle, there will be a dance with music provided by the Smiling Scandinavian Dance Band. On Friday, there will be many presentations to choose from. Come by Naselle and enjoy the Finnish Festival!
FESTIVALS, continued from p.3 in Ilwaco. www.funbeach.com July 19-20 Bald Eagle Days in Cathlamet with parade, trolley rides, and great street fair. July 20 is Wooden Boat Show. Complete info online: wahkiakumchamber.com July 19 Music in the Gardens on the Long Beach Peninsula. Presented by Water Music Festival, from 10am-4pm and only $15 per person. The Tour includes refreshments, as well as live music. www.funbeach.com July 24-27 Cowlitz County Fair and Rodeo at the fairgrounds in Longview. For complete listing of information, go online and also see article on p.15 www.cowlitzcountyfair.com
July 25-27 Maritime Heritage Festival at the marina in St. Helens, Oregon. Family-friendly event with maritime demonstrations, boat building, antique and classic boat display rides and tours, two WWII vessels, music and water-skiing show. The show will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. July 25-27 Finnish American Folk Festival, held in Naselle, WA. Dancing, music and great food, of course. Find us on Facebook! July 26-27 Annual Long Beach Rodeo, Peninsula Saddle Club in Long Beach. Visit online for complete info: www.funbeach.com July 26 Toledo Summerfest, 11am-5pm. Toledo Middle School field. Christian Music, Kiddy Bouncers, Animal Show, Hay-Bale maze, dunk tank and more! Food available for sale. 6pm-9pm Youth Concert. July 26th Run to the Rock Car Show, downtown Castle Rock, see article on next page for info. July 28 Mountain Mania Fun Run, Castle Rock 5K/10K Run. See article next page for more info. July 29-Aug. 2 Clatsop County Fair at the fairgrounds in Astoria, on 109 acres overlooking the Walluski River. See our website for schedule: www.clatsopfairgrounds.com