Celebrating St. Urho, Grasshopper Vanquisher, at St. Urho Days in Menahga

St. Patrick isn't the only saint they're celebrating this weekend

MENAHGA, Minn. (KVRR) – St. Patrick isn’t the only saint they’re celebrating this weekend.

St. Urho is the patron saint of Finland who chased the grasshoppers out of the vineyards of ancient Finland with nothing but a few choice words.

In reality, the saint and the whole story were made up by a Finnish person in Virginia, Minnesota in order to one-up St. Patrick’s Day. That’s why St. Urho’s Day is March 16th, the day before St. Patrick’s Day.

They built a statue to St. Urho in Menahga, Minnesota, and host St. Urho Days every year to honor him. There’s a parade, community dinner, and a show this weekend, all to honor the Finnish community who call the area home.

It’s all really simple for Menahga mayor Elizabeth Olson. She says, “It’s our Finnish heritage! He’s our saint!”

Anyone who wants to can come march in the St. Urho parade without registering. The parade starts at 12:20 Saturday afternoon in Menahga.

Click here for the full St. Urho Days schedule.