Heikinpaiva is a Finnish heritage celebration of mid-winter. In folklore, it is the time when the hibernating bear rolls over, marking the halfway point of its winter slumber. Hancock, Mich., with its strong Finnish roots, has been celebrating this time for a number of years. The celebration is rapidly spreading throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula. There was a parade, a "tori" or market (indoors at this time of year), banquets, classes, and many other celebrations of winter. The TalviTohinat cross country ski race, featured in another gallery here at GalleryOnDaLine.com, was part of the overall mid-winter celebration.

Winter has been largely benign thus far, so this particular mid-winter celebration has seemed more like it marks winter finally getting underway.

All images here are copyright 2007, Bill Fink Communications, LLC. Link to additional websites about Hancock, Heikinpaiva, and winter in the Keweenaw by visiting the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce (http://www.keweenaw.org) and the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau (http://www.keweenaw.info).