Annual St. Urho's Day celebration set for this weekend, with a political twist

Even the 37th Annual St. Urho’s Day celebration in Finland isn’t safe from political campaigning. But at least for this weekend’s events, it’s all in good fun.

“The Purple and Green Party National Convention” is the theme of this year’s celebrations. Event Coordinator Honor Schauland says the theme reflects the political season that is upon us, but also pokes fun at Finland’s lack of a mayor.

“We kind of have this running joke of who is the mayor of Finland,” Schauland said. So naturally an honorary mayor will be elected this weekend. And because it’s an election year, “it only makes sense to have St. Urho run for president,” Shauland said.

The event has been weeks in the making, with a float workshop taking place last weekend. Kids also decorated campaign badges and ballot boxes for the big mayoral election.

Take a look at the Green and Purple Party Charter to see if you get a feel for what this weekend’s events will be like.

We, the people of Finland, MN, in order to choose the perfect mayor, acknowledging the pitfalls of the traditional two-party system, and to promote the general welfare and further the pursuit of happiness in our region, do hereby proclaim the birth of a new political party.

This party shall be named the Green and Purple Party, and you are all invited. The party shall hold a convention, the Green and Purple Party National Convention, which shall take place on March 17, 2011 at High Noon on Highway 1 in Finland, Minnesota for all to participate in democratically.

The Green and Purple party platform is as follows:

One Human, one vote. Votes by grasshoppers shall not be counted.

A cord of wood in every woodshed

Free fillet knife sharpening

Required photo fishing ID for all Canadians within our borders

Amnesty for all users of the snowmobile bridge from the summer of 2011

We must choose a number for the Lax Lake Road and stick with it

Cash for Klinkers

A longer deer hunting season

Family planning for moose

A national holiday shall be declared when the Vikings and Packers play each other

All pool tables shall be purple

Stringent action to take care of the Tourist Threat

Free beer on Sundays

Free beer on Mondays

Free beer on Tuesdays…you get the idea

Numerous seats are available in the coming election. Don’t be afraid to throw your hat into the ring! Remember, if the clowns in power can get away with it, so can you!

Seats available include:

Township Supervisor

Township Clerk

Mayor

Vice Mayor

Bar owner

Busdriver

Congressional Representative for the 8th District

Saint

Multiple cabinet positions

The sky is the limit! If you want to run, we will vote for you!

Tags: finland,  mn, st. urho's day