The legend of St. Urho originated in Northern Minnesota in the 1950's. However, there are differing opinions as to whether it began with the fables created by Sulo Hvumaki of Bemidji , or the tales told by Richard Mattson of Virginia . Either way, the legend has grown among North American of Finnish descent to the point where St. Urho is know celebrated across the United States and Canada, and even in Finland. St. Urho's Day is celebrated on March 16th, the day prior to the better known feast of some minor saint from Ireland, who was alleged to have driven the snakes from that island. The legend of St. Urho say he chased the grasshoppers out of ancient Finland, thus saving the grape crop and the jobs of Finnish vineyard workers. He did this by utter the phrase : "Heinasirkka, heinasirkka, men taaita hiteen"! ( roughly translated: " Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to Hell"!). His feast is celebrated by wearing the col...
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