Finnish-American Village Shines at 43rd Annual Midnight Sun Festival in Lake Worth Beach

Finnish-American Village participated once again with pride and energy at the 43rd annual Midnight Sun Festival this past weekend in Bryant Park, celebrating the vibrant Finnish-American culture that defines this beloved Lake Worth Beach tradition. The festival, which honors more than four decades of Finnish heritage on Florida’s east coast, offered music, food, competitions, and community fun for families of all ages across the past weekend.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the Taste of Finland culinary showcase, where Finnish-American Village’s own famed bakers presented their celebrated Anastasia cookies to crowds eager to sample authentic and creative Finnish-inspired treats. Festival attendees enthusiastically lined up to enjoy the cookies and cast votes during the competitive tasting event. We heard that Karelian pies, Salmon on Rye Toast, and Lemon Salmiaki cake were also very popular!

The weekend also featured the ever-popular infamous Hobby Horse Races and the Wife-Carrying Contest, quirky and exhilarating competitions rooted in Finnish tradition. In the Hobby Horse races, the young and young at heart raced for prizes over an obstacle course, and on Sunday pairs of participants sprinted through obstacles and water hazards in good-spirited fun. Competitors hailed from near and far—including teams from Orlando and as far as Washington State—with some seasoned veterans returning year after year and others checking the first-time experience off their bucket lists.

In addition to the main events, many friends and employees of Finnish-American Village and even retired staff members stopped by to catch up and share memories, adding to the sense of family and community atmosphere that defines the festival. Several staff members’ teenagers also joined in as volunteers, helping throughout the weekend and even taking part in the hobby horse races, bringing youthful energy and creativity to the festivities.

The 2026 Midnight Sun Festival offered an unforgettable weekend of fellowship, rich cultural experiences, and spirited competitions, further strengthening the bonds between Finnish-American Village and the wider community that supports and celebrates Finnish heritage in South Florida.