Moi Moi!
A couple of weeks ago I returned from Finnie, I went to the Kaustinen folk festival(9th-18jul). For someone who is completely in love with Finnish tunes, this was the perfect tonic. At times it was a bit overwhelming!, I almost fell over, delerious with glee(nothing to do with pear cider).. Mad fidedlers JPP played,Swedish, (high energy) band 'Fomp' played, they were both amazing but the highlights were the unexpected surprises, an amazing tune being played by a busking kid, smaller bands with no cd but incredible tunes and energy.........(lucky I had an MD recorder with me). I'm going next year and I would highly recommend it to ANYONE who has the time and even vaguest of inclinations.    Next year I'll also try to get to Kihaus festival(a smaller one, just before COWstinen). Also, A Cittern player I met at Kaustinen recommended Haapavesi fest too (I haven't looked into that one yet)www.haapavesifolk.com.
Sledge, Have a wonderful time in Finland, it's a shame you missed the festivals, but you might find ones I don't know about and in the light months, there are always great buskers in Helsinki and it's such an amazing country anyway. If you like endless forests and lakes (and muumi-moomintrolls), you'll be completely sated
moocowSTINENpoo.