The Gulf of Mexico

While we all are gearing up to the big birthday party on December 6, Sisu still has a few miles to travel, and a couple of more events to visit.

One of the first stops for Sisu was Houston, TX. Only 400 miles east is Ocean Springs, MS. After about 100 events and 16,000 miles on the road, it was time to visit the shores of the Gulf of Mexico again.

In early 2017, Sisu's Logistics and Travel Planning Team was contacted by the staff from the Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center for Arts and Education. They would be hosting an art exhibit of Osmo Visuri's paintings in the spring, and were wondering if Sisu could stop by. Sisu would be in Montana at the time. Sorry. After further correspondence, another opportunity was found. What if Sisu visited in early November, during the Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival? Stars had aligned and destination Ocean Springs was added to the calendar!

Ocean Springs is a town of about 17,000 people with coffee shops, restaurants, shopping and a laid back feel. Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival is the largest arts festival in Mississippi, attracting 100,000 - 150,000 visitors over the two days. When Sisu arrived, hundreds of vendors were setting up on the streets around downtown Ocean Springs.

This is bayou country. Saturday morning arrived with a thick fog. Soon, sun started to burn off the fog and a 80 F, cloudless day was in forecast.

After the gates opened there was a steady stream of festival goers strolling by. The MaryC had prepared two banners to attract people to visit Sisu. One of them declared the Centennial, the other had 100 fun facts about Finland.

Sisu staff on-site had so much fun! We also learned something! Did you know that Bruce Boudreau (coach of the Minnesota Wild hockey team) is from Ocean Springs, MS? It also turned out that there is (at least) one Finn living in Ocean Springs. Hauska tavata!

As always, time flies when you are having fun! Sunday afternoon, it is time to pack up and head to the next events; Boynton Beach and Suomi-Talo in Lantana, Florida.

Looks like it is starting to fill up but there are still spots left to sauna with the Sister Cities of Boynton Beach and Rauma, book your session from this link, walk-ins are welcome, too. Get your swim suits ready, Florida!

Sisu wants to thank the wonderful staff of theMaryC for letting us visit: Mary Pyle, Stacy Howell, Pat Pinson, et al. If you are traveling in the area, go visit theMaryC & Ocean Springs!

If you want to learn more about the Osmo Visuri exhibit or would like to host it, please get in touch. TheMaryC has the collection and would like to share it with you!

Sisu’s full schedule and up-to-date calendar, please click here.

Finland Centennial Calendar in the US, please click here.

Like reading about Sisu’s travels? Please help us bring Sisu to a location near you. Get a souvenir from our web store, or feel free to make a donation.