THE ANNUAL JUHANNUS/MIDSUMMER FESTIVAL
Mesaba Co-op Park June 19-21, 2026
Join us for a weekend of celebration, fellowship, and solidarity as we continue forward. Let us take time to enjoy what we have in common, energize ourselves, and prepare for the road ahead and the challenges of the current state of affairs. If you're seeking shelter from the storm, the park is here for you.
Highlights this year include a presentation by featured speaker Dr Arne Vainio, "On Being Finnishinaabe" and music by The Make Believe Spurs from Marquette, Michigan. We will also have an afternoon social hour followed by the traditional Maypole led by our own Terrence Smith.
Saturday: Lunch at 12pm, Dr. Vainio 1:30pm, Social hour 3pm, Maypole 4pm, Dinner 5:30pm, Band/Dance 7-10pm with short intermission.
Sunday: Annual mtg 10:30am,Mojakka Lunch 12:30pm, made in the iron cauldron used since the 1930's
Festival Cost
Adults: $30 without meals, $60 with meals
Children: (12-17) $15 without meals, $30 with meals; 12 and under are free
Camping, first come first served: members at no cost for Friday and Saturday (excluding firewood) non-members please email for arrangements.
Please notify us at: mesabacooppark@gmail.com and mention "Midsummer"
Click image to download poster with info.
Mesaba Co-op Park is located in the town of Cherry, Minnesota. It’s one of the few remaining continuously operated cooperative parks in the country, with roots as a gathering place of the Finnish cooperative movement serving the ethnic political radicals who energized the Iron Range labor movement and Minnesota’s Farmer–Labor Party.
Not a member? No problem! Mesaba Co-Op Park has Workbee Weekends once a month, May through October. Joining us for a Workbee Weekend is a the perfect way to explore the park, learn about membership, and meet the amazing community that is Mesaba Co-op Park.
Come lend a hand and enjoy the camaraderie! If you have a specialized skill related to any of the future projects that you would like to offer to the park, please let us know.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to preserving this cherished ground and the heritage of Mesaba Cooperative Park Association, founded on shared values of peace, justice, and cooperation. We are committed to enhancing the educational and cultural development of Park members and the larger community.
Mesaba Park 2026 Season
May 16-17 Workbee - Park opens for the season
Jun 13-14 Workbee - (Changed to second weekend for June.)
Jun 15-18 Park Closed - Northstar Arts Camp for Children
Jun 20-21 Midsummer - Annual Meeting 6/21, 10:30am
Jul 18-19 Workbee - (Back to the third weekend each month.)
Jul 24-26 Park closed - Tamarack Barn Dance
Aug 7-9 IROMA/Rockbee
Aug 15-16 Workbee
Sep 4-7 Park Closed - (private reunion)
Sep 19-20 Workbee
Oct 17-18 Workbee - park closes for the season