The Finnish Invites Tribute dance was held for the first time in years
“Years have passed since the Finland Invites dance was held in the Covington apartment building.
The Covington Historical Society decided to move.
On Sunday afternoon, the gym was once again full of polka sounds, waltzes and people dancing happily.
Finland Calling was in the air for 53 years, and during this magnificent run, Carl Pellonpaa hosted countless dances for the people of UP. But when the performance aired, those dances seemed to disappear.
The Covington Historical Society began to honor the great time they had by setting them as their own.
“We wanted to revive one this year,” Mack Hassler of the Covington Historical Society said. “We want to remember the exciting dances of the past.”
“This is a Finnish inviting dance in honor of Carl and Doris from the dances they have performed over the years,” said Richie Yurkovich, the leader of the band Polkarioty.
They even got their hands on the same band that played in some of the dances.
“For the last maybe 9 or 10 years, whenever he sponsored a dance, we were the band he played for him,” Yurkovich said.
The gym quickly filled up with fans of the old show looking for a good time.
“We have participated in many Finland Invites dances and we have always enjoyed them very much, we love music, I love dancing,” said musician Eleanor Tailor.
Everyone who showed up tonight was excited to meet old friends and dance again.
The most common idea of all was to give Carl and Doris the best wishes.
“We definitely miss Carlia, it’s not the same,” Finland Invites fan Dellah Jestila said. “Hi Carl and Doris, I hope you are well”
Organizers spoke with Carl Pellonpa, but they say he didn’t get to the scene this time.