FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2008

Contact:
Ira Salmela ::: FinnFest 2008 Publicity Chair
isalmela@d.umn.edu
(218) 213-6080

DULUTH COMMUNITY ENCOURAGED TO PLANT BLUE AND WHITE TO WELCOME FINNFEST 2008 VISITORS

FinnFest 2008 committee plans to welcome thousands of festival visitors to Duluth with splashes of blue and white flowers. As guests from all over the world enter and tour the Duluth area, blue and white flower gardens will present an unforgettable welcome before and throughout the five-day festival, July 23-27.

Signifying Finland's national colors, blue and white gardens are slated to be growing in city parks, private homes, churches, businesses, and restaurant. Finnfest 2008 organizing committee has already received commitments to the flower program from the City of Duluth, the University of Minnesota Duluth and several businesses in the area.

Citizens and all business owners in the Duluth area are encouraged to participate in the project.
A list of blue and white flowers can be found at:
http://www.finnfest2008.com/Events/events_blue_white.html

Duluth area seed and plant suppliers are taking part in the project by offering various plants and flowers in blue and white colors. For more information, contact Margaret Olson Webster, (218) 357-2635 or Marian Syrjamaki-Kuchta, (218) 724-4833, msyrjama@hotmail.com

Photos of already blooming blue and white gardens can be requested by contacting Ira Salmela at: isalmela@d.umn.edu

Give thousands of visitors a beautiful welcome to Duluth area!