HANCOCK — The public is invited to a sledding party scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15, from 1-3 p.m. on the Quincy Green, next to Finlandia University’s Finnish-American Heritage Center.

Hancock Downtown Development Coordinator Deb Mann said it is an open event planned to get people to come out and enjoy the winter.

Although the flyer announcing the event says: “Heikinpaiva ‘2.0’” Mann said the party is not part of Finlandia’s annual Heikinpaiva celebration.

“I added the 2.0, because it’s really not Heikinpaiva,” she said, “but is to celebrate Finlandia’s 125th year as a college or university.”

For that reason, she said, Finlandia University’s Marketing photographer will be at the sledding party to take some photographs of the event. Hopefully, she added, it will be a great way to get some great photographs and great smiles.

“Because Heikinpaiva was cancelled this year,” Mann said, “we decided to do some community events that bring the kids outside to enjoy the winter here in the U.P.”

There will be hot chocolate and cookies, she said, just overall promoting Copper Country winter.

Also, there will be a contest for kids who decorate their sleds for the event, with the best decorated one receiving a prize.

“The decorations and materials for decorating will be up to the kids,” said Mann. “It should be fun, just as long as the decorations don’t interfere with their flight plans. We will try to make a record for the most people sledding down Quincy Green at one time and get it on camera.”

Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, Mann suggests, and helmets are recommended.

Saturday’s forecast is partly cloudy skies and a high of 18 degrees.