Traffic jams in Hämeenlinna delay Pikku Kakkonen summer tour concert

Traffic in central Hämeenlinna ground to a halt on Thursday afternoon as families arrived by car from Helsinki and Tampere for the free Leikitään Pikku Kakkonen summer tour concert, Yle reports.

Event producer Jyrki Laaksonen announced once the event had begun that the start would be postponed. “We’re doing everything we can so that everyone can arrive on time. We’re pushing the start back and it will begin by 18:00 at the latest,” he said. The concert, originally scheduled for 17:00, ultimately started about half an hour late.

Laaksonen attributed the congestion to the large number of families traveling by car from the Helsinki and Tampere regions. “It’s certain that many are coming by car. Organising the tour in southern Finland moves large crowds,” he said.

This was the first time this summer that the tour had caused such significant congestion in a host town, according to Laaksonen, who urged patience on the roads. Fintraffic reported congestion on Highway 3 towards Hämeenlinna, and a separate accident occurred on road 57 in Hattula.

The event at Kantola began at 16:00 and ran until around 19:00, after which the crowd gradually dispersed. Organisers said the Kantola lawn was packed and the atmosphere was joyful throughout.

The tour has already stopped in Salo, Kotka, and Ruokolahti this summer, with Kauhava remaining after Hämeenlinna.