Preserving Finnish settlement history with the restoration of three houses, two saunas, a school, and a store.

Oulu Cultural & Heritage Center

Sunday, May 1 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
White Winter Winery in Iron River will celebrate
Vappu or May Day
with the Oulu Cultural & Heritage Center

The Winery will prepare a special traditional Finnish beverage called sima (a fruity, mead-like drink)
to commemorate the occasion.
Finnish pastries will also be served and music by several Finnish musicians will be played.

May Day is a traditional Nordic celebration that is known as Vappu in Finland.

Vappu is a Finnish holiday with Pagan roots which traditionally marked the beginning of spring or the growing season, and was the time when cows were put out to pasture in Finland.

Vappu is the first name of Saint Walpurga, an Anglo-Saxon missionary who was honored for fighting disease and witchcraft with a feast first held in the year 870.

Vappu (May Day) also became associated with workers and the labor movement in the latter half of the 19^th century when workers were demanding better working conditions around the world and it became a Labor Day celebration.

Vappu in Finland has evolved into a popular national holiday where spring, the working class, and education are celebrated as university students complete their degrees.

We look forward to our first Vappu celebration on May 1. Come and celebrate with us!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 30 – 12-3:30pm
Memorial Day Gathering

June 25th
Oulu Midsummer Fest
Juhannus & Grand Opening of Aho House

July 11-15 – Summer School
July 25-29 – Summer School

September 17
Oulu Fest & Closing for the Season

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our normal annual events are:

• Tribute to Veterans on Memorial Day Monday
• Midsummer Festival – June 25th
• Summer School (2 weeks)
• Oulu Fest – September 17th
• Coffee and Conversation – Time and day to be determined
• Guided tours during regular summer hours.