A variety of special exhibits and displays will be highlighted throughout the grounds at the 70th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2013, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.
“The Power of Exchange” Sisters Cities International 2013 Young Artist and Authors Showcase exhibit will feature photos, essays, poetry, and drawings from youth throughout the world that highlight the role that exchanges play in connecting people, cultures, and idea.
The “Rights and Freedoms - There and Here” United Nations exhibit will explore human rights issues throughout the world and Wisconsin, with narrative and photos explaining issues relating to slavery, education, and water, and what is being done in the state and across the globe to address these issues.
In recognition of its 70th anniversary, a Holiday Folk Fair Retrospective will be on display, featuring memorabilia from the past 70 years, including posters and other materials that depict the history of Folk Fair.
The Callen Construction Cooking Stage, presented by Edible Milwaukee, will feature representatives of several of the ethnic groups participating in Folk Fair conducting cooking demonstrations of traditional foods from the country they represent, with an explanation of the culture as the conduct the cooking demo.
The Wisconsin Woodturners will have its annual display, with several woodturners conducting demonstrations throughout each day. Fair-goers will be able to get a close look at the woodturning process and browse products, such as bowls, sculptures, vases, and more. Kids will also be able to play with a tongue drum, a wooden musical instrument with slits.
The Artisan Corner will include local vendors demonstrating their craft throughout the weekend, including woodcarving, quilting, and paper cutting.
Kohl’s Color Wheels, presented by the Milwaukee Art Museum, will appear at Folk Fair on Fri., Nov. 22 and Sun., Nov. 24, with a mobile art experience where kids take part in fun projects, plus grow and learn through art.
Folk Fair attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy bonsai trees from the Milwaukee Bonsai Society. Some of the bonsai trees will be colorful, and others will have already dropped their leaves. The trees will range in size and age, with some trees up to 80 years old. Children will also be given a card with various styles of bonsai trees, so they can find and identify the different trees on display, plus attendees will be able to vote on their favorite tree.
Heritage Lane allows attendees to take a leisurely stroll and discover traditional and unique customs from around the world by interacting with diverse cultures that are brought to life through ethnic exhibits, including displays by the Chinese, Finnish, Irish, Historic American, Romanian, and Thai, groups.
Skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display in the International Bazaar, providing a distinguishing shopping experience. Attendees will find products from a variety of ethnicities, including the Czech, Ecuadorian, Latvian, Malian, Slovak, and Turkish.
A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin, Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. This year’s theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Community,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to learn the ways in which music, food, dance, and art bring together people from different backgrounds.
The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance, the World Café offering traditional dishes, the International Stage where young people perform their ethnic dances, and the Music Pavilion with a variety of musical styles.
Holiday Folk Fair International will also host the “Around the World” 5K Run/Walk benefitting The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County on Sun., Nov. 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Hours on Nov. 22 are 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Nov. 23; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Nov. 24. Advance tickets will be sold for $10 each, with family four-packs for $36, and available for purchase on-line at www.folkfair.org.
Admission at the gate will be $12 for adults; $8 for children ages 6 to 12; children under the age of five will be admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $10, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free. Those that bring at least two non-perishable food items for The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County will get a $2 discount per ticket on up to four regular adult admissions.
For more information on the 2013 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call the International Institute of Wisconsin at 414-225-6220.
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