Heikki Lunta

Heikki Lunta is a character included in the mythology of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Most people from this area aware of the myth and reference the character in regular converstaion.

The character of Heikki Lunta is a product of the heavy Finnish-American presence in Michigan's Upper Peninsula combined with a tremendous annual snowfall. David Riutta created "Heikki Lunta" (the name translates to Hank Snow in English) in 1970. When an upcoming snowmobile race was endangered by the lack of snowfall, Riutta, a worker at WMPL radio station in Hancock, aired the "Heikki Lunta Snowdance Song." The song goes on the ask "Heikki Lunta," the Finnish snow god, for snow in time for the race. According to local tales, the snow fell and fell, until there was too much. People were supersitious (a seemingly Finnish and sportsman's quality) that Riutta's song had caused too much snow for the race, so in response to public outcry, Riutta recorded a separate track entitled, "Heikki Lunta Go Away." The 45 showcased each song on alternate sides.

Sources:

*http://csumc.wisc.edu/exhibit/HeikkiLunta/timeline/19701971.html

*E-mail correspondence with Dave Riutta's daughter.

*Being semi-conscious of my surroundings in the Upper Peninsula.