By Bob Stares for SooNews.ca
From July 28th to August 1st 2010, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario will host “the largest cultural event ever held in this city,” stated Raimo Viitala with a broad smile on his face.
Mr. Viitala is the Honorary Consul for the Consulate of Finland and Chair of the Finn Fest 2010 Committee. He and Michael Porter, Vice Chair, hosted a Chamber of Commerce Take Five event Wednesday evening at the Essar Centre to meet and greet members of the community and update them on the latest developments concerning this once in a lifetime major event for our community.
Both Canada and the United States hold this event only once every 5 years and rotate the event between countries. This time it was Canada’s turn to bid for the event. Sault Ste. Marie was poised and ready to compete for the prize, and ultimately outbid several major Canadian cities in 2006 to have the honour of hosting the “Grand Fest”. The Grand Fest Committee was then formed in 2007 to organize and host the event.
For the better part of a week in the summer of 2010, the Sault will become the centre of the Cultural Universe for Finland, those of Finnish heritage and friends of the Finnish people. Visitors from the Finnish Government including Ministerial level members as well as the Finnish Ambassador to Canada will be in attendance. Their Canadian counterparts will be here as well.
Chair of Finn Fest 2010 Raimo Viitala (left) with Mike Porter, vice chair
Mr. Viitala was proud to point out that there will be delegates coming to the Sault from every province in Canada and every state in the United States as well as from our "sister city" of Forssa in Finland. This would bring the total to no less than 5,000 delegates generating a minimum of $4,000,000 in direct revenue to the community. Financial experts estimate additional spinoff revenues may be in the millions more but actual numbers, although substantial, are harder to predict than direct revenues.
Mr. Viitala was also quick to point out that without the support of the municipal government as well as the Economic Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie, his group "couldn’t pull this event off." The same, he said, went for the generosity of their sponsors and other local businesses.
The slate of activities for the week is astounding. The week long festivities will be kicked off with a gala dinner for 1000 at the Essar Centre.
Other events will include such things as sporting events (hockey camp), arts and crafts displays and workshops, dances and dancers, and entertainers including the musical acapella group Rajaton, who will perform at the Essar Centre to an audience of 3500. This group is extremely popular in Scandinavia and having them perform here is considered a major feather in the cap for local organizers. Other activities too numerous to mention will be enjoyed by all who are interested in taking part.
And as if all of that isn’t enough, The Finn Grand Fest Committee has petitioned and been granted permission by the Guinness Book of World Records to build and operate for the term of Finn Fest, "THE LARGEST OUTDOOR SAUNA IN THE WORLD." The Committee is now in the process of finding a location big enough to host that event.
Kyle Krezek of the Chamber of Commerce (left); Jennifer Gerard of Scotiabank (right)
Vice chair of the committee Mike Porter announced that both the corporate sponsorship drive and registration for the event have now begun. Those interested in registering as a sponsor or participant should not delay, as spaces are expected to fill up quickly.
Mr. Porter also announced that the NOHFC (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation) was graciously providing funds to employ 2 full time interns to work with the Committee.
Mr. Kyle Krezek of the Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Jennifer Gerard of Scotiabank (a major sponsor) made brief remarks offering their thanks and gratitude as well as offering those involved a pat on the back for their hard work to date in the organizational milestones already achieved and wished them good luck with the completion of their labour of love at Finn Fest 2010.
SooNews.ca will be sure to keep you informed of all developments regarding Finn Fest 2010 leading up to this fantastic week of fun and fellowship to be held here in the summer of 2010. Stay tuned!
