The Vuokatti‑Jukola organisation held a community information event in Sotkamo on 28 September 2026, with almost 60 attendees.
The event presented the orienteering relay event arriving in the municipality in just over 260 days, the competition centre being built in the sports institute area, and the expected visitor profile. In addition, traffic and parking arrangements for Vuokatti‑Jukola — and their impact on local residents — were discussed.
Event manager Sami Leinonen explained that, in addition to the need for volunteers, Vuokatti‑Jukola creates opportunities for local businesses and organisations, as the event enables reaching Jukola participants in cooperation with the organisers.
“However, the organisers cannot guarantee customers for local businesses — it requires the entrepreneurs’ and partners’ own ideas on how cooperation can work best.”
Participants were most interested in matters related to volunteer roles, and questions were raised about language requirements, volunteer training, the embargoed training area, and the use of hiking trails within the competition terrain.
“We are proud and happy”
Sotkamo municipal manager Mika Kilpeläinen and council chair Anne Lukkari opened the event by sharing impressions from their summer visits to Kotka‑Jukola and Mikkeli. As in previous years, the municipality plays an important role as a partner of Vuokatti‑Jukola.
“We are proud and happy that this event has been granted to Sotkamo and is coming to Kainuu for the first time,” Kilpeläinen said.
A second community event will be held in Sotkamo in late spring, by which time many of the plans presented now will be in their final stages and confirmed.
Text and photo: Maaria Haikola