The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

from Phil Raistakka

While planning for FinnFest USA '06 which was held in Naselle and Astoria the last week of July 2006, festival planners were cautioned about the myriad of problems which would be facing them. To name a few: the small population base of the area planning to put on an event of national and international proportions; the long distance to travel from the population centers of the country; the high cost of gasoline and its effect on all modes of travel; the remoteness of the location in the far northwest corner of the USA; the unavailability of a college campus with reasonably priced dormitory rooms; and so on, and so on.

But the Finnish and non-Finn community members of Naselle and Astoria, perhaps showing more sisu than good sense, moved ahead anyway and planned and presented a FinnFest that was quite comprehensive in scope, depth, and length. Festival programming was offered for five days rather than the customary three and was presented in two different towns separated by a state boundary, by a large river, and by 20 miles of forest land. In spite of all of those obstacles, FinnFest USA '06 lumbered forward to its date with destiny.

Despite the fears that the festival could be a financial disaster, the fears went unfounded. Not only did the people come forth in droves to take part in the festival of Finnishness, they also provided the festival with labor, contributions, donations, purchases, and admission fees that more than supported the festival and its events.

The members of the Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle and the members of the United Finnish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters Lodge Number Two of Astoria had merged in their efforts to produce FinnFest USA '06 and when the joint committee met recently to finalize the summary of that event, they acknowledged the support provided by local, regional and, national individuals, business, and organizations. That support was so positive that, rather than experiencing a financial disaster, the festival produced a financial reward which has allowed the FinnFest USA '06 membership to donate to many organizations which provide services to the community.

After paying the national FinnFest USA organization the contracted amount of $9,784 as payment for the use of the FinnFest USA designation, the local committee distributed the remaining profits to organizations that would put the funds back into use in the community. The Finnish-American Folk Festival of Naselle reserved $20,000 for use in future Finnish-American Folk Festivals and for their other community endeavors. The Finnish Brotherhood Lodge of Astoria will receive $4,000 for use in their activities. Finlandia Foundation National will receive $1,000. The Finnish American Heritage Center of Finlandia University will receive $200.

Regional organizations receiving grants include: The University of Washington Finnish Studies Endowment Fund will receive $1,000. The Finnish Room of Seattle's Nordic Heritage Museum will receive $1,000.

Local organizations receiving grants: The Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association of Astoria will receive $500. Astoria High School will receive $500 to complete the purchase of a pull-down screen for the auditorium. The Naselle Finnish Adult Choir has been advanced $5,000 for their planned trip to Finland which must be completed within five years from the date of the grant. The Naselle Education Foundation has been granted $1,000 for a scholarship for a NHS 2007 graduate. The Naselle School District will receive $1,000 for improved stage lighting. The Wahkiakum Community Foundation Covered Bridge Fund will receive $1,000. Four local area museums will receive a total of $1,200, with $300 each to the Clatsop County Historical Museum of Astoria, the Ilwaco Heritage Museum, the Pacific County Historical Society of South Bend, and the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum of Cathlamet. Seven local area cemeteries have been granted $2,100 with $300 each to Peaceful Hill Cemetery Association of Naselle, Salmon Creek Cemetery Association, Deep River Cemetery, Seal River Cemetery, Rosburg Cemetery, Grays River Cemetery, and the Eden Valley Cemetery.