Food Offerings a Star at Holiday Folk Fair International

Traditional foods from 19 ethnic groups will again be an integral part of the festival experience 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 World Café will feature a wide assortment of ethnic delicacies that are meant to be shared by Folk Fair visitors. The following groups will have food booths with an extensive menu (a sampling of the available options are listed) from which attendees will choose:
Arab: Falafel Sandwich, Hummus & Pita, Rolled Grape Leaves, Soup Lentil, and Chicken Kabob Sandwich.

Bavarian: Schnitzel, Fisch Semel (Bismarck Herring), and Knoedel (Bread Dumpling) With Gravy.

Bosnian: Sarma (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls), Ćevapi (Ground Beef Sausages), and Tufahije (Stuffed Apples).

Chinese: Sesame Chicken, Egg Fried Rice, Roasted Dumpling, and Egg Roll.

Czech: Veprova Pecene (Roast Pork), Chlebieky (Open Face Sandwich), and Knedliky (Dumplings).

Egyptian: Macaroni Bachamel, Kabob Hala (Beef Stew And Rice), and Spinach Cheese Pie.

Filipino: Adobo & Rice, Siopao, Nagaraya Nuts, Mami, and Lumpia.

French: Sweet Crepes.

German: Pork Goulash With Noodles, Potato Pancakes Smoked Hungarian-Style Bratwurst, and Bienenstich.

Greek: Gyros, Chicken Souvlaki, Moussaka, Spanakopita (Spinach And Cheese Pie), and Loukoumades (Honey Puffs).

Indian: Chicken Tikka Masala, Choley, Vegi Biryani, Samosa, and Mango Lassi.

Irish: Corned Beef Sandwich, Potato Soup, Beef Stew, Corned Beef Hash, and Scones.

Italian: Pizza, Meatball Sandwich, Arancini (Rice Ball), Bruschetta, Tiramisu, and Cannoli.

Mexican: Tacos with Rice, Tamales, Quesadilla Supreme, and Churro.

Native American: Buffalo Chili, Corn Soup, Pumpkin Soup, Fry Bread, and Buffalo Burger.

Serbian: Filled Puff Pastries, Walnut Strudel, Lenja Pita, and Assorted Cookies.

Slovak: Cabbage Roll, Chicken Paprikash, Lentil Soup, and Halushky with Gravy.

Thai: Cream Cheese & Crab Puffs, Calamari, Satay (Chicken With Peanut Sauce), and Pad Thai.

Ugandan: Sambusas Pie, Sweet Potato Fries, Chicken Curry with Rice, and Lentil Stew.

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.

Special attractions in 2013 include a 70th anniversary Holiday Folk Fair Retrospective featuring memorabilia from previous events, “The Power of Exchange” Sisters Cities international arts exhibit, the “Rights and Freedoms - There and Here” United Nations exhibit, the Wisconsin Woodturners, the Milwaukee Sokol cultural exhibit, the Kohl’s Color Wheel mobile art display, and a bonsai exhibit.

The three-day event features the World Café offering traditional dishes, Heritage Lane with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Callen Construction Chef Demonstration Stage, presented by Edible Milwaukee, featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

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.