Menahga's two-day, family-friendly festival - St. Urho Days - was held March 15-16. According to legend, St. Urho drove giant grasshoppers out of Finland, saving the country's vineyards. He is typically honored the day before a well-known Irish patron saint.
The weekend's good-natured fun included the crowning of the 2019 St. Urho King and Queen, Finnish folk music, the changing of the guard, a parade and Finnish food, like mojakka and pulla.
1/Bearing the Finnish flag, the "Knights of St. Urho" enter for the "changing of the guard."
2/Gene and Myra Anttila were crowned this year's St. Urho King and Queen. Gene, who was born and raised in Menahga, said the Menahga Civic and Commerce asked them if they wouldn't mind being royalty for a year. They agreed.
3/The mirthful Knights of St. Urho participate in the "changing of the guard" – which means they strip down to purple undergarments and swap clothes.
