This bonfire at Agate Beach near Toivola occurred during a previous Juhannus celebration. On Monday, Toivola will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the community at Agate Beach in conjunction with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence being celebrated in Hancock and other communities. (Photo provided by Joanna Chopp)

TOIVOLA — Not only is 2017 the 100th anniversary of the independence of Finland, it is also the 125th anniversary of the founding of Toivola by Finnish immigrants.

Becky Hoekstra, chairwoman of the Toivola 125th Year Reunion Committee, said in 1892 seven families settled in what became the Toivola community. The men were copper miners in Calumet who didn’t care for that life, so those original settlers chose different ways to make a living in Toivola.

“They decided they would do farming or fishing,” she said.

Hoekstra said the Toivola area is considered to be from M-26 west to Misery Bay and Agate Beach.

The 125th reunion activities will start at 1 p.m. Saturday at Agate Beach, Hoekstra said. The first event will highlight older current and past residents.

“We are going to pay tribute to the people who are 80 years old and older,” she said.

There will also be recognition of past and present residents who have been married 50 years or longer.

Hoekstra said there will be a talk on preserving Toivola history. Songs will be sung and poetry will be read.

“A poem that was written for the 100th (Toivola) reunion will be read,” she said.

There will also be an effort to determine which reunion attendees — such as herself — are related to the original Toivola settlers.

Hoekstra said from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., events will focus of Toivola. At 6 p.m., the Finnish and American flags will be raised. At 9 p.m., a very large bonfire will be lit by the Finland’s Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi and the Toivola Fire Department. The rest of the day will focus on the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence.

There will be food vendors at the celebration, Hoekstra said. There is a campground at Agate Beach and overnight camping is allowed.