Finlandia is weekend of activities

I first started at the Bemidji (Minn.) Pioneer as an intern in the summer of 1996. That would begin six years as a news reporter, sports reporter and copy editor for a small, six-day-per-week daily newspaper in northern Minnesota. I wrote a large range of stories from multiple beats, to features to sports, my favorite being the coverage of the Red Lake Reservation High School basketball team named the Warriors. Here is a collection of my stories from my time at the Pioneer.

Feb. 7, 1999

By Devlyn Brooks

From Friday afternoon until Sunday there is little time to rest for those participating in Minnesota Finlandia's activities this weekend.

The 20th annual Minnesota Finlandia weekend opens furiously today with not only racing registrations, but music and food as well.

And the rest of the weekend will be highlighted with the main cross-country ski races and the Nordic festival Saturday and family activities on Sunday.

That's right folks ... it's Finlandia weekend, and there's no time to be idle.

Here's a guide as to what is happening when and where this weekend (all non-racing activities will be held at the Northern Inn and all racing activities will be held at Buena Vista Ski Area unless noted):

Friday

• 3-11 p.m. -- Race bib pick-up, race and tour registration, lasagna dinner, skiing clinics and entertainment.

• 5-9 p.m. -- All-you-can-eat lasagna fundraiser. The cost is $8 for adults and $3.50 for children.

• 6 p.m. -- Ski waxing clinics hosted by the Fischer Factory ski team.

• 7 p.m. -- "How to dress for the big race" clinic hosted by the Peltonen ski team.

• 6-9 p.m. -- Musical entertainment.

Saturday

• 8 a.m. -- Walk-on registration, bib pick-up in Main Chalet.

• 9:30 a.m. -- Buena Vista Classic 25K Wave one starts.

• 9:35 a.m. -- Buena Vista Classic 25K Wave two starts.

• 10 a.m. -- KB101 Minnesota Finlandia 50K elite wave starts, and Nordic Festival of the North begins.

• 10:05 a.m. -- KB101 Finlandia 50K and Homeplace 25K Bemidjithon first waves start.

• 10:10 a.m. -- KB101 Finlandia 50K and Homeplace 25K Bemidjithon two waves start.

• 10:15 a.m. -- Northwoods Tour 10K starts.

• 11 a.m. -- Hall of Fame hospitality feed for skiers and volunteers.

• 4:30 p.m. -- Doors open for awards ceremony.

• 5:30 p.m. -- Racing awards ceremony.

Sunday

• 10 a.m. -- Registration for family events opens in Hall of Fame room.

• 11 a.m. -- Babe's Tour, free 1/2K and 3K kids tours.

• 1 p.m. -- Hiihtolakki "Ski Cap" 3 x 4K relay.

• Awards will follow each of these events.