America’s Bicentennial – In 1976, America’s Bicentennial year, local committees throughout the USA organized elaborate festivals to commemorate the Finnish diaspora in America, giving new forms of visibility to one of America’s smaller immigrant groups.

Finland’s participation – Speakers and presenters. Collaborative history projects. Urho Kekkonen, the President of Finland, attended three USA events: Hancock, Minneapolis, New York City.

Finn Fest concept – The wording “Finn Fest” first emerged during the Bicentennial and was used to describe the many Finnish American festivals happening in 1976.