61st Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates
world cultures Nov. 19-21 at State Fair Park

TRAVEL AROUND the world at the 61st annual Holiday Folk Fair International, a three-day celebration that features mouth-watering foods, toe-tapping music, hand-clapping dance performance and a vast array of exhibits and merchandise promoting cultural understanding.

There will be something for everyone Nov. 19-21 in the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8100 W. Greenfield. Ave. An annual event attracting visitors from throughout the Midwest, the Holiday Folk Fair International is produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin, a nonprofit social service organization dedicated to racial, cultural, and ethnic understanding.

The United Nations has designated 2004 as the International Year of Rice. Accordingly, “The Grains of Culture” is this year’s theme and rice is the featured food of the Holiday Folk Fair. Holiday Folk Fair International 2004 also recognizes the Unesco “Peace is in our Hands” theme this year.

Visitors to the Folk Fair may sample a wide variety of traditional dishes in the World Cafe, prepared by volunteers from family recipes. The appetizers, main dishes, sandwiches and desserts are priced to encourage sampling. At the Coffee House, coffee or tea, sweet treats and music are the specialties.

The International Bazaar is the perfect place for holiday shopping, with treasures produced by skilled artisans from throughout the world available in one place. The bazaar offers items frequently found at specialty shops, in booths labeled by nation.

On Heritage Lane, visitors can interact with ethnic volunteers to learn about the customs and traditions of many different cultures. “Passports” are available for children, who thrill at having them stamped at the many intricately decorated booths.

Regularly scheduled shows at the All Nations Theater showcase groups performing traditional music and dance. From dynamic African drumming to fiery Spanish Flamenco dancing, the performances thrill with their drama and color.

At the Miller Lite Dance Pavilion, an array of musical groups will appear, including Johnny Hoffman and the Herzbuben with German dance music; Elegant Gypsies performing ancient Celtic through modern Mediterranean to American standards; Verne & Steve Meisner Band, a father and son renowned for their polka-playing; Izor bringing international folk music especially from the Balkans, and the Melkmeisters specializing in German polka tunes.

Special exhibits this year include a photographic Holiday Folk Fair Retrospective, Wisconsin State Fair Park History Exhibit, and a display on rice. Award-winning films from the 2004 Indian Summer Festival Film & Video Image Awards will be screened throughout the Folk Fair in the All Nations Theater.

The U.S. Postal Service will operate a postal station on site for mailing letters, cards and packages. Full-service passport processing will also be available (appropriate documentation required). Other features include a holiday stamp unveiling, a special cancellation, a children’s Design-A-Stamp Contest, a postal history display and international stamp collections presented by the Milwaukee Philatelic Society.

On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., the Folk Fair holds its traditional naturalization ceremony for 300 individuals. Other regular Folk Fair events include the Cultural Awareness Program (CAP) held on Friday for fourth through eighth grade students from the Greater Milwaukee area. On Sunday, the Around the World 5k Run/Walk starts at 9 a.m. Information about pre- and same-day registration are available by phoning 225-6225. Also that day, an interdenominational religious service begins at at 10 a.m.

A raffle is included in the ticket price, and winners need not be present at Sunday’s 6:30 p.m. drawing. First prize is a package that includes round-trip tickets on the Lake Express Ferry and a two-night stay at the Crown Point Plaza in Grand Rapids, Mich., second prize is a pair of round-trip tickets for two on Midwest Airlines, and third prize is a 15-piece Regal Ware cookware set.

Prelude events held in conjunction with the Folk Fair include special dinners at the China Palace Restaurant on Nov. 3 and African Hut Restaurant on Nov. 9. A Youth Bonsai Workshop is being held Nov. 13 (reservations required by Nov. 5). Phone 225-6225 for more information.

Folk Fair hours are 3-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $9 at the door, $7 in advance, $7 for children 6-12, children five and under are free. For further information, group and tour rates, and special requests, call the Folk Fair Hotline at 414-225-6225 or 1-800-FAIR-INTL, or visit www.folkfair.org.

This year’s sponsors include Golden Guernsey Dairy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Midwest Airlines, Lake Express, and U.S. Postal Service. Ticket outlets for advance sales are Park Bank and Usinger’s Famous Sausage.