Tipirieha is a new nature-themed event open to everyone, taking place in Pyhäjoki!

It will be held on the same day as BirdLife Finland’s nationwide birdwatching competition, Tornien taisto (“Battle of the Towers”).

The birdwatching tower in Parhalahti has been the top-ranking tower in the competition for several years. The main venue for the event is Tankokari Harbor, which is also where the Parhalahti birdwatching tower is located. Now it’s time to celebrate the joy of birding together by the sea!

This outdoor event is free and open to all, starting at 2 PM. The program includes games for children, music, and grilled sausages for sale – although you're welcome to bring your own snacks too.

Attention all nature and bird enthusiasts: From 2 to 3 PM, Pauli-Pekka Österberg from the North Ostrobothnia Ornithological Society will be present. He’ll showcase the scenery through a spotting scope and share tips on how to get started with birdwatching.

Schedule for the day:
• Tornien taisto 5 AM – 1 PM
• Tipirieha 2 PM – 5 PM

Palosaari naturetrack runs 2 km in forest in renovated forest ranger´s hut environment. By the path you get to know different forest type´s bird selection and to trees.

In Autumn when there are berries, its worth to look around. In Palosaari and it´s near by forest there are good berry and mushroom booty. Palosaari used to be forest rangers hut in 1861- 1975.

Renovated hut from 1900´s belongs to the Metsähallitus´s oldests forest rangers huts. Nowadays Palosaari is model of wildernes services by which has been founded 27 ideal areas for different games. The hut was granted year 2009 international wildlife Estates nomination.

Naturetrack which is 600 m long leaves from Kielosaari Camping - area. It intdroduces versatile rivernature. Small bridges take you from island to island, and duckboards takes you to small birdtower and to campireplace. Sit by the bench or to cliff and listen how water ripple. In the spring time Pyhäjoki flooding can hinder acces to paht.

The old fishing banks of Pyhäjoki tell a story of the fishing traditions of the past centuries. Boats were set to the sea, nets were dried, and the boats were tarred in the fishing banks. There are dozens of protected boat and net houses and fish sheds on the three fishing banks of Pyhäjoki.

Kaukonranta fishing bank at the mouth of River Pyhäjoki, Kaukontie
Jokipuoji fishing bank along the southern fork of River, Jokipuojintie
The old fish harbour of Parhalahti along River Liminkaoja, Kalarannantie, Parhalahti

Get active in Rautiperä on Ski tracks and outdoor routes, with disc golf, ice swimming, on the sledding slope and cross-country skiing.

The renewed tracks of Rautiperä are ideal for skiing! The area has illuminated routes of 1 km, 2.5 km, 4 km and 5 km and starting and finishing areas suitable for a wide range of sports activities. Up-to-date track information is available in the Rautiperän ulkoilualue Facebook group.

The lights work with a photoswitch and automatically turn off at 10 pm. Rautiperä has a spacious parking area and a time-locked toilet, available from 8 am to 10 pm.

Outdoor routes
The renewed routes of Rautiperä outdoor recreation area are perfect for all ages. The illuminated and well-marked routes are easy to move along with a stroller as well. Please note that the disc golf course crosses the exercise track in some places!

The traditional Pyhäjoki Local Heritage Week is full of things to see and experience at various locations.

MONDAY 1.7.
6 PM: Movie screening at the library: Herman Wiirretjärvi's Pyhäjoki film

TUESDAY 2.7.
12 PM: Summer day celebration by the Pensioners' Association at Annala Museum
5 PM – 7 PM: Tuesday Market at Pauha Square in front of the town hall. Seelarit and Silja will lead a sing-along starting at 5:30 PM. Register as a vendor at info@pyhajoki.fi.

WEDNESDAY 3.7.
4 PM – 8 PM: Discarded book sale at the library
6 PM: Singing evening at Pirttikoski at Kuusiniemi Bridge

THURSDAY 4.7.
6 PM: Summer evening gathering at Liminkakylä village hall. Seelarit and Silja will sing and lead a sing-along.

FRIDAY 5.7.
3 PM – 6 PM: Pop by the yard! A map of the visitable locations will be published at pyhajoki.fi/culture

SATURDAY 6.7.
11 AM – 3 PM: Local heritage market at Pauha Square in front of the town hall.
12 PM – 3 PM: Pop by the yard! A map of the visitable locations will be published at pyhajoki.fi/culture
3 PM – 4:30 PM: California Tour, starting from the parking lot of Jehovah's Witnesses' Kingdom Hall, Vanhatie 2.

SUNDAY 7.7.
10 AM: Service at the church. Includes those who were confirmed 50 years ago.
11:30 AM – 1 PM: Meal at the parish hall
1 PM: Local heritage celebration and the unveiling of Pauha-Matti or Pauha-Maija at Annala Museum. Coffee will be served afterwards.
2 PM – 4 PM: Pyhäjoki vehicle enthusiasts gather at the S-Market parking lot. Come admire the old vehicles!

Welcome to celebrate village day in Parhalahti school yard on Sunday 9.6. from 12:00 to 15:00.

MAGICIAN ROOPE'S MAGIC SHOW This year, the Village Day is literally magical, as magician Roope Ylitalo will be performing.

The family-friendly magic show reportedly features floating tables, disappearing objects, and shape-shifting items – astonishing feel-good magic.

In addition to his magic tricks, Roope has promised to make balloon animals for the children at the Village Day.

LEPPÄKEIHÄS CHAMPIONSHIP 2024 The Leppäkeihäs throwing championship is once again up for grabs. The contest is lighthearted with a touch of humor and unofficially playful – though taken seriously as the championship is at stake.

There are categories for men, women, and those under 14 years old. Winners in the men's and women's categories will receive an axe as a prize, undoubtedly giving them an advantage in future years' Leppäkeihäs qualifiers. To enter the competition, sign up on site on Sunday.

AND MUCH MORE! Pony rides Vintage vehicles Obstacle course for children Tapani Lisko's exhibition of vintage photographs Best of the Year 2024 Village stick throwing contest

At the sales market, there will be summer flowers, licorice by the meter, ice cream, Scouts' raffle tickets, hair care products, Oriflame products, pea soup by the Martha's, and treats from the village association's café.

This year's event will be hosted by familiar voices from Radio Mega, Radio City, Iskelmä, and Radio Pooki, including Mika Kuki.

Parlahahti is a lively and cozy village in North Ostrobothnia in Pyhäjoki, on the shores of Bothnian Bay.

Road number 8 crosses the village. The center of Pyhäjoki is a few minutes away by car - even by bike it takes just 15 minutes. The nearest town Raahe can be reached by car in 20 minutes and the southern neighboring municipality Kalajoki in less than half an hour away.

There are over 350 inhabitants in Parhalahti, around 160 households.

The bench trails are not actually nature trails, but they are still a great destination especially if you are looking for an easy but longer cycling route. You can reach the bench trail that runs north of Pyhäjoki all the way to the village of Pirttikoski. At the beginning of the trail, you can make a fire at a lean-to shelter and take a seat on the benches to observe the nature along the riverbank.
The Pirttikoski circuit is about 19 km long if you follow the North Branch bench trail to Pirttikoski, cross the river via the Kuusiniemi Bridge, and return via the South Branch bench trail. You can also choose a shorter route by following the Saari bench trail.

The public swimming beach in Pyhäjoki is Pyhäluoto beach located in Etelänkylä. The sandy beach is also perfect children of all ages. The landscape of the swimming beach is dominated by magnificent cliffs that slide smoothly into the sea. The place is also popular with windsurfers and kite surfers.

Water quality is monitored throughout the summer. The beach has changing rooms, a dry toilet and waste disposal. Take care of your safety - the swimming area is unsupervised.

Pyhäjoki also has informal swimming spots on the riverside, on the seashore and in rock quarries.

Swimming spots by the sea
In Parhalahti, Kultaranta by Puustellintie, sandy beach
In Yppäri, the sandy beaches of Leto and Merimaja, Pylhy beach, Veteraanimaja beach.

Swimming spots on the river bank
In the center are the Kielosaari and Kittipuhto swimming spots and Hourunkoski beach on the north side of the river
At Pirttikoski Kuusiniemi's swimming spot next to the bridge

Swimming spots in rock quarries
Rautiperä swimming spot, open also in winter.
Yppäri Grekunperä swimming spot along Alavieskantie road.

Built in 1837, the Eteläkylän Isosilta bridge in Pyhäjoki is the oldest wooden strut-frame bridge still in use in Finland and a national road museum site.

The four-arch double-strut bridge stands on wedged stone supports and is 77.5 metres long and 5.8 metres wide. The bridge has been maintained and repaired multiple times but, according to a study conducted in 1987, the load-bearing structures of the bridge still held some of the original timber. The local Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment initiated a full renovation of the bridge in 2018. The renovations will be conducted with due consideration to the old structural models and work methods, and the Finnish Heritage Agency has provided instructions for the work. In fact, a pleasant smell of tar wafts in the area surrounding the bridge.

Since the deck of the bridge is made of wood, it has been slippery when wet. It is said that a lorry carrying people on their way to a dance once veered off the bridge as a result. Apparently no one was hurt, however, as everyone managed to hop off the lorry bed in time. According to another story, some prison escapees burst through railing during a chase.