PALO—The community of Palo gets top billing in the Wikipedia online encyclopedia entry about Laskiainen: “One of the places where Laskiainen is celebrated outside Europe in form of an annual festival is the community of Palo, located between Aurora and Makinen on the shores of Loon Lake in Minnesota. Many Finnish-North American groups and clubs host various Laskiainen celebrations, but the large one which developed and became more organized in Palo in the 1930s is notable for both its size and longevity.”
This weekend marks the 86th annual Laskiainen Finnish sliding festival happening Saturday, February 3, and Sunday, February 4, at the Loon Lake Community Center.
The queen coronation is at 6 p.m. today, February 1. Candidates are Grace Paul and Livia Takanen.
The popular bluegrass band Monroe Crossing will entertain Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Saturday
• 7:30 to 11 a.m. Kropsua (Finnish oven pancake) breakfast.
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artisans and demonstrators, Laskiainen Shoppe, Bakery (Finnish pulla—biscuit), Museum, Old Coop Theater.