SUMMER FESTIVAL

Lampinsaari Festival 2025 – A Communal Village Celebration in the Heart of Nature

Welcome to an unforgettable summer day in the idyllic village of Lampinsaari, located in Vihanti, Finland. On Saturday, July 12, 2025, the spirit of community and joyful atmosphere come alive at the Lampinsaari Festival. The charming village, especially Gunnarin kartano (the Gunnar´s Mansion) and the Lampinsaari Pavilion with their beautiful surroundings, offer the perfect setting for relaxed time together, cultural experiences, and cheerful festivities for all ages.

The day begins with a festive lunch at the beloved local restaurant Kaivoskylän Herkku. After that, former and current Lampinsaari children gather in Gunnar´s banquet hall for a joyful celebration. As the afternoon unfolds, music fills the air, voices join in community singing, and locally organized performances bring life to the village. The evening culminates in a warm and welcoming event at the Lampinsaari Pavilion, where music, classic cars, and people come together—highlighted by a unique community art project taking shape in Pekka's Park.

Lampinsaari Festival is more than just an event—it's an experience that celebrates the strength of community and the richness of village culture. Whether you're coming alone, with your family, or with friends, you're warmly welcome to enjoy the most heartwarming day of the summer in Lampinsaari—even if it's your first time. Accommodation is available at the cozy Gunnar´s Mansion rooms and apartments, or at the nearby Pavilion camping area.

FESTIVAL INFO: 

🎉 Lampinsaari Festival 2025 – Saturday, July 12 🎉

🕘 9:00–21:00
Café Harakanpesä open – refreshments, treats & relaxed atmosphere

🕚 11:00–14:00
Festive Lunch at Restaurant Kaivoskylän Herkku

🕑 14:00–16:00
Lampinsaari Children's Celebration at Gunnarin Hall – for former and current village children

🕔 17:00
Community Sing-Along in Pekka's Park
🌿 Featuring a community artwork by the Women's Club

🕔 From 17:00 onward
Evening Program & Lampinsaari Picnic for car enthusiasts
📍 Lampinsaari Pavilion (Välisaarentie 50 – short walk from Gunnarin Manor)

🎈 All day (9:00–21:00):
Yard games, activities & mingling for all ages at Gunnarin Manor grounds

🍽️ Food & Dining – Saturday, July 12

📍 Lampinsaari Pavilion (Välisaarentie 50, Lampinsaari)
– Pavilion Café open throughout the event
– Food vendors available on site

📍 Restaurant Kaivoskylän Herkku (Kaivoskatu 9, Lampinsaari)
– Festive Lunch served from 11:00 to 14:00
– Breakfast for overnight guests

📍 Café Harakanpesä (Kaivoskatu 9, Lampinsaari)
– Open from 9:00 to 21:00

🛏️ Accommodation Options

🔹 Lampinsaari Pavilion Camping Area

More info & booking
– Area fee: €20 / night for 2 people
– Additional persons: €3 / person / night
– SFC member price: €18 / night for 2 people
– Tent site: €10 / night for 2 people (includes shower)
– Additional persons: €3 / person / night
– Electricity: €5 / night
– Private family sauna: €15 / hour

🔹 Gunnarin Manor

More info & booking
📧 info@gunnarinkartano.fi | 📞 +358 45 232 3533

Dorms
– Full cottage: €120 / 4 people / night
– Single beds: €50 / person / night
Includes shared bathrooms and kitchen access

Lännennokka Room
– Beds: 160 cm & 80 cm, balcony, lounge chairs
– Price: €80 / night
Includes shared bathrooms and kitchen access

Sinkkiniemi Room
– Twin beds (80 cm), lounge area with table and chairs
– Price: €80 / night
Includes shared bathrooms and kitchen access

Family Apartment Vienola
– Private entrance, kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms (4 beds), living room with sofa bed
– Price: €150 / night or €300 / weekend

Electric hookups available:
– €20 / night (includes 2 persons, +€3 per additional person)

Warmly Welcome to Gunnar's Mansion!

Accommodations and Meeting Spaces for Every Group

We warmly invite you to experience unforgettable moments with us at Gunnar's Mansion. Our versatile facilities are perfect for a variety of gatherings, whether it's a family reunion, a retreat with friends.

At Gunnar's Mansion, we have the perfect facilities to host a wide range of groups, whether for leisure or business travel. Our versatile accommodations and meeting spaces are designed to meet your needs, ensuring a comfortable and productive experience.

No matter the purpose of your visit, we're here to provide the ideal setting for your gathering.

If you're looking for a space to connect, we offer smaller venues for families, groups of friends, or solo travelers. The charming village surrounding us is brimming with activities year-round. In the summer, enjoy our swimming pond and rental sauna, or visit the village hall for year-round sauna access. Explore the stunning nature of Sumppitunturi with its rest areas, hiking trails, and ski paths in the winter.

Don't miss the Village Association's Pavilion where you can enjoy coffee or icecream in the summertime, in the village we have the Village Flea Market , or you can stop by Wanhan Mainar's shop to discover delightful treasures.

We warmly welcome you to join us for a memorable stay!

HISTORY OF OUR VILLAGE

Gunnar Laatio was the director of the largest zinc mine in Europe, located in Lampinsaari.

In the 1950s, a unique village was built near the mine, as workers and their families came from all over Finland and naturally needed homes and various services. Thus, this idyllic village was created, inspired by English garden cities.

As time passed, family sizes grew, and the village filled with the laughter of children. For mine director Gunnar Laatio, family meant everything, and he took steps to provide the village with essential facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, a sports field, and a school.

The school was particularly important to Gunnar Laatio. He personally approached the school board to request permission to build a six-teacher school for the village of Lampinsaari. Additionally, a sign was erected along Kaivoskatu, which read:

"You are now in the Mine Village. We have many children here. We love them all, so please drive carefully."

Ristonaho Elementary School commenced operations once permission was granted, initially operating in temporary facilities on Pyykatu, before the stone school in Lampinsaari was built, serving the community for nearly 70 years.

The school's activities ended in December 2020, when students transferred to Vihanti Unified School. With the school building left vacant, local activists aimed to preserve the school and secure the future of the village.

This led to the creation of the idea for Gunnar's Mansion, which now exists.

Our mission is guided by the ideology of mine director Gunnar Laatio: village culture belongs to everyone, and community is our strength.

OUR VALUES

COMMUNITY

• Close collaboration with other local organisations and people
• Providing opportunities for groups, families, and organizations to use our facilities
• The principle of working together: together we achieve more; going it alone leads nowhere
• Everyone is welcome; nurturing our community and valuing expertise
• Local actors are prioritized in events and activities

INCLUSIVITY

• All age groups, religions, minorities, HBTQIA+ and nationalities are warmly welcomed
• Acceptance and appreciation of humanity
• An open atmosphere
• Customer-centric approach: we serve our clients based on their needs
• Love, appreciation, and respect as guiding principles

PRESERVING HISTORY

• Highlighting and nurturing local culture
• Actively promoting cultural heritage
• Pride in our village, its history, and the context in which we operate

GENUINE COLLABORATION

• Active participation in local events, training sessions, and workshops
• Actively exploring collaboration opportunities
• An open attitude towards other stakeholders
• Open dialogue with other actors

STF and Good Travel Seal

We have also begun our journey along the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) path as we work toward earning the STF label. Although our journey has only just begun, we are moving forward with determination and in close cooperation with the STORE project by Raahe Development as well as other local partners. In April 2025, we were awarded the Good Travel Seal sustainability certificate. 

CERTIFIED RESPONSIBLE CONTRIBUTOR

The recipient of the badge has:

• Participated in a sustainability assessment for their company (sustainability test and interview)
• Attended workshops for basic training in sustainability
• Familiarized themselves with self-study materials on the responsibility training website (vastuullisuusvalmennus.fi)
• Received information and tools to develop aspects of sustainability: ecological responsibility, economic responsibility, social responsibility, and sustainability communication
• Created their own company's sustainability plan (Road Map)
• Shared experiences and insights with group participants during peer group work throughout the training
• Recognized the importance of their company's responsible operations as a factor in enhancing competitiveness.

You have earned the badge for participating in the VATUPASSI project's sustainability training.

You may utilize the badge in your communications, attach it to your website, and include it in your email signature.

Warm congratulations!
The VATUPASSI Team

ISSUER OF THE BADGE:
University of Oulu
university.of.oulu@oulu.fi

Gunnar's Mansion is a charming old school building from the 1950s, nestled in the heart of Lampinsaari, Raahe, Northern Ostrobothnia.

It all began when the mining company Outokumpu established a mine here, creating an entire village from scratch. For decades, this area boasted Europe's largest zinc mine, operating from the 1950s until it closed in 1992. Over time, other services faded away, but the spirit of the village remained strong.

The wonderful residents of this village never gave up. Today, we enjoy a range of activities, including our own tennis court and a lovely sandy-bottom outdoor pool open every summer. We also have an open pavilion and a camping site by the pool, complete with a cozy coffee shop and a rental sauna. You can explore charming second-hand and vintage stores, and there are fantastic hiking and walking routes that transform into ski trails in winter. Whether you seek tranquility or adventure, there's something for everyone.

When the school permanently closed in December 2020, a passionate group of villagers came together to form an association dedicated to saving the school building. This effort has transformed the school into a vibrant cultural and accommodation center, now known as Lyhde ry.