Tour the world at Holiday Folk Fair International

Luscious pastries from around the world. Unique gifts for the holidays from far away cultures. Dancers, singers, musicians and artists to entertain you from every corner of the globe. No, you don’t have to grab your passport or pack a bag. Just head to the Holiday Folk Fair International at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

The fair is a colorful celebration of the combination of people and traditions that make up this unique holiday event. Now in its 66th year, the fair kicks off  Friday, Nov. 20, and runs through the weekend at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at the fairgrounds.

In honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s invention of the telescope , this year’s fair will feature “The World at Night,” a night sky photography exhibit demonstrating the unity of the planet under one sky. The exhibit is sponsored by The World at Night, Astronomers without Borders and Diversified Development Realty. Photographers around the world have captured views of their night skies, some with unique landmarks and symbols, allowing the viewer to discover each location. Of the thousands of pictures taken in the program, 30 will be on display at the Folk Fair.

In addition to the photo display, the Northern Cross Science Foundation will have telescopes available for fairgoers to look into the sky for themselves.

Another view of the world will be presented by a former Wisconsin Peace Corps member, who will recount her service in Lesotho, Africa, through word and pictures. She will share the photos she took and the letters she wrote depicting her experiences while she served as a teacher/trainer at Lesotho College of Education. Such insights will provide an overview of the challenging, fulfilling assignment she had in the mountainous region of southern Africa, including life skills training and HIV/AIDS testing.

Another display highlights the 35th anniversary of resettlement by immigrants from southeast Asia and Africa to Wisconsin.

The featured musician this year is Native American flutist Darren Thompson of Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe and Tohono O’odham. He will perform in the Music Pavilion, where he will demonstrate the “power to take you to another place.” Thompson picked up the Native American flute while studying at Marquette University, after receiving a cedar flute at the Indian Summer Festival. His performance combines his music with his views on stereotypes, social structure, the environment, history and culture. He will perform selections from his debut album, The Song of the Flower, expressing both past and present Native American flute music.

General admission is $10; admission for seniors and children, ages 6-12, is $8. Admission is free for children age 5 and under. For more information, visit the fair’s website or call 414-225-6225.