DOUG KARTTUNEN WAS chosen to be St. Urho and Melanie Olson selected as “Queen of the Vineyard” at the St. Urho’s Day festivities March 9. They led the grand march, along with the youngest guests Maverick and Mayzie Overmyer, great-grandchildren of Doug and Sally Karttunen.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Members and friends of the Iron Mountain area Raja Ryhma Finnish American organization enjoyed an afternoon of St. Urho’s Day festivities March 9 at the Recreation Lanes Antoine Room.

The colors of royal purple and green dominated the scene and some of the 36 guests wore pins with the image of St. Urho.

Before the buffet meal served by Zollner’s Catering, Melanie Olson shared information about the origin of the legend of this mythical hero, which originated in the mind of a Finnish-American, Richard Mattson, from Virginia, Minn., almost 70 years ago.

St. Urho definitely is to be celebrated for his feat of saving Finland’s grape crop from ravenous grasshoppers. That supposedly happened on March 16, the day before St. Patrick’s Day.

After listening to a lively St. Urho’s polka and reciting the “Ode to St Urho,” they shared a toast of grape juice in his honor.

Arlene Huotari then led a prayer of thanks.

This year, Doug Karttunen was the lucky guy drawn to be St. Urho for the day and Melanie Olson was “Queen of the Vineyard.”

They led the Grand March, along with the youngest guests, Mayzie and Maverick Overmyer, great-grandchildren of Doug and Sally Karttunen.

The lighthearted celebration of St. Urho continued with great conversation, a bit of St. Urho trivia, prizes, a reading of Sally’s original “Ballad of St. Urho” and Paula D’s enjoyable music.

Planning is underway for the annual Juhannus midsummer celebration, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, at the City Park in Iron Mountain.