St. Urho's-St. Patrick's Day Dance and Potluck
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Dance Zone 1113 Lincoln Ave., Marquette, Michigan 49855
A potluck and a dance will be held in celebration of St. Patrick's Day as well as the Finnish American holiday, St. Urho's Day. The potluck will begin at 6 p.m. with dancing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The legend of St. Urho originated in northern Minnesota in the 1950s. The legend of St. Urho says he chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland, thus saving the grape crop and the jobs of Finnish vineyard workers. St. Urho’s Day is celebrated the day before St. Patrick’s Day by Finnish Americans throughout the upper Midwest and the tradition has now even spread to Finland itself. Whereas green is the color worn on St. Patrick’s Day, it is customary to wear purple on St. Urho’s Day. Traditional Irish and Finnish music will be provided. People are encouraged to bring a Finnish or Irish dish for the potluck. Dance lessons and instructions on traditional dances will be offered. There will also be readings of poetry and folk tales about St. Patrick and St. Urho.