Holiday Folk Fair International  brings the world
to Wisconsin State Fair Park’s Expo Center

VISIT the 62nd annual Holiday Folk Fair International, Nov. 18-20, and travel around the world without leaving the Milwaukee area!

Held in the Wisconsin Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 8100 W. Greenfield Ave., the three-day celebration features mouthwatering foods, toe-tapping music, hand-clapping dance performances and a vast array of exhibits and merchandise promoting cultural understanding.

Produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin, a nonprofit social service organization dedicated to racial, cultural and ethnic understanding, the annual event is recognized as one of the largest festivals of its kind, drawing visitors from throughout the state and the Midwest.

While music always is a highlight, this year it earns a special focus with the theme, “Celebrate the Sounds of Culture.” For example, the featured group at the All Nations Theater is a Taiko drumming group from Japan. The Japanese drum, or Taiko, is an instrument considered to embody the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japan and its people. With pounding rhythms, dramatic costumes and choreographed movements, Taiko drumming provides a riveting show that attracts fans of all ages.

Two photo displays offer a quieter, but still compelling, experience at the 2005 festival. National Geographic and UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) present exceptional photographs of the daily life of African refugees.

Another exhibition,” Bridging East and West: Saudi Aramco World 1949-Present” shows 90 photographs from the magazine Saudi Aramco World. Saudi Aramco, the oil company born as an international enterprise 75 years ago, distributes the magazine to increase cross-cultural understanding. The bimonthly magazine's goal is to broaden knowledge of the cultures, history and geography of the Arab and Muslim worlds and their connections with the West.

Drawing visitors to the Folk Fair year after year, however, is the wide variety of traditional dishes in the World Café. Numerous food booths offer appetizers, main dishes, sandwiches and desserts priced to encourage sampling. At the Coffee House, coffee or tea, sweet treats and music are the specialties. The Farmers Market features produce from the Milwaukee area.

The International Bazaar is the perfect place for holiday shopping. Booths decorated to represent the featured country offer items that showcase artistic traditions and handicrafts.

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 feature groups performing traditional music and dance. From dynamic Celtic fiddling to fiery Spanish Flamenco dancing, the performances thrill with their drama and color. New this year is the International Stage, designed to focus on performances by young people.

At the Miller Lite Dance Pavilion, an array of musical groups entertains. Johnny Hoffman and the Herzbuben with German dance music; Elegant Gypsies with Ancient Celtic through modern Mediterranean to American standards and the Melkmeisters with German polka tunes.

Award-winners from the 2005 Indian Summer Festival Film and Video Awards will be screened throughout the Folk Fair, and the U.S. Postal Service will operate a postal station on site. Outside, a Revolutionary War Encampment includes volunteers who are happy to discuss that historical period.

On Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the Folk Fair holds its traditional naturalization ceremony of hundreds of individuals. Other regular Folk Fair events include the Cultural Awareness Program 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. For registration information, phone 225-6225. Also that day, an interdenominational religious service begins 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.

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 $10 at the door, $8 in advance for adults, $8 for children 6-12, and children five and under are free. For further information, Family Fun 4-Pack, group and tour rates, and special requests, phone the Folk Fair Hotline at 414-225-6225 or 1-800-FAIR-INTL, or visit www.folkfair.org.

Ticket outlets for advance sales are Park Bank and Usinger’s Famous Sausage.