NEW YORK MILLS, MN, August 8, 2025—The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center invites the public to the 16th annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant public performances on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, 2025.
The Kalevala Puppet Pageant is a large-scale, street-theater style performance bringing to life characters and tales from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic. Each year, an original script is written by Creative Director Anne Sawyer and brought to life by community members portraying mythical Finnish creatures in a lively, narrated outdoor play.
Daily workshops, puppet-building sessions, and rehearsals have been taking place since August 4, with a creative team and cast made up of more than 20 talented locals of all ages. The Pageant is produced by the Cultural Center and led by Sawyer of Minneapolis, Assistant Director Lisa Winter of Wadena, Tara Fahey of Minneapolis, Musical Directors Curtis & Loretta, an award-winning folk duo from Minneapolis, and local musician Adam Tervola Hultberg.
Audience members have two chances to experience the magic this year:
Friday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. – NYM VFW Post 3289 (following the NYM Civic & Commerce Corn Feed 4-7PM)
Saturday, August 16 at 12:00 p.m. – Finn Creek Open Air Museum (during Finn Creek Summer Festival)
Both performances are free, family-friendly, and open to all. Note: There is a $5/adult gate donation to enter the Finn Creek Festival on Saturday.
For more information or to donate, call the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339. Contributions from businesses, individuals, and arts funders make this vibrant community project possible—thank you to all who support the Puppet Pageant! Freewill donations will also be collected following both free performances.
This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Learn more: https://www.kulcher.org/2025-kalevala-puppet-pageant/
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About the Cultural Center
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gift store featuring local artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Cultural Center has been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world. For more information, call 218-385-3339, or visit
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