All cultures have myths and legends. The Greeks crooned about the troubles of Pandora’s box, Norseman called upon the mighty power of Thor, and a more contemporary myth correlates black cats with bad luck. These folk tales span generations and are often used to interpret the unexplainable, like creation stories or Earth’s physical processes.

Believe it or not, Yoopers have a God-like mythical creature that is said to dwell amongst the snow-laden trees during the winter months. With origins in the Keweenaw Peninsula (the village of Tapiola, to be exact), Heikki Lunta (hay’-key loon’-ta) is a folk character of Finnish descent whose festive dance is said to bring heavy snowfall. Unlike most legends, which date back thousands and thousands of years, this enchanted Upper Peninsula beast is much younger than its historical counterparts.

Radio salesman David Riutta created the Finnish snow god in 1970, a year that left the U.P. a less-than-desirable amount of snow for an upcoming snowmobile race in Atlantic Mine. After translating “Hank Snow” into Finnish, Ruitta – wishing to bolster support for the snowmobile contest – wrote a catchy tune titled “Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song.” The short song encouraged listeners to sing and partake in a “snow dance,” begging Heikki Lunta to provide a few feet of powdery snow before the official race date.

Riutta’s attempt to bolster communal support for the race was a success. Not only were the radio salesman’s wishes fulfilled – with too much snowfall postponing the race – but Riutta and his beloved snow god have made a lasting impression on Yooper culture.

While the radiowaves carried the catchy and comical tune to Yoopers across the Upper Peninsula in 1970, I wonder whether Ruitta was aware of the incredible impact the mythical creature would have on listeners. The story and dance were so infectious that the legend of Heikki Lunta continues to be told to this day. The snow god has only grown through generational storytelling and now exists beyond a silly dance to boost attendance at a snowmobile race.

While the radio salesman did not provide a description of the snow god, several images have been created in the song’s wake. Some photos depict a tall, Finnish man garbed in a fur hat and matching boots, while others have compared Heikki Lunta to the abominable snowman. My favorite design of the character is a tall, bald man with Viking-like facial features, large antlers, and underbite fangs.

Nevertheless, the influence of the snow dance song is immeasurable. Heikki Lunta’s ability to manipulate the natural elements, bringing gale-force winds, heavy snowfall, and icy roads, is now celebrated annually in Negaunee, Michigan. Residents and tourists bundle up and bear the cold for a weekend-long celebration of the winter season. The festival seems to have everything Yooper on display, from luge sliding to snowshoe lantern tours and ice-fishing to fat-tire bike racing.

The festival design of Heikki Lunta is also much friendlier than my favorite version. While still bearded, the snow god is wearing ski goggles and has snowflakes instead of antlers.

However, not everyone welcomes the powerful snow god with open arms. When Ruitta’s song brought a seemingly historic amount of snowfall in 1970, people were irritated by the ruthlessness of the snow god – Ruitta included. Angered by Heikki Lunta’s powers, the radio salesman wrote another tune titled “Heikki Lunta, Go Away.” The song is told from the perspective of the snow god, who Yoopers are chasing down with snowballs filled with rocks.

While I have avoided joining in on the snow dance to keep the heavy snowfall at bay, it is fair to say that Heikki Lunta has once again gotten his way.

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column addresses topics from the perspective of a young adult and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.