Holiday Folk Fest a world tour in Milwaukee’s backyard

Want to embark on a world tour from the comfort of West Allis? Easy: Spend an afternoon at the Holiday Folk Fair International at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds.

Be sure to bring an empty stomach and an arsenal of dance moves. Friday afternoon alone showcased Milwaukee’s diversity, courtesy of talented youth dancers on the festival’s International Stage. An African-American troupe wearing white and blue costumes moved rhythmically to the sounds of drummers (with a particularly cute toddler who enthusiastically beat a drum half his size) and a crew of Chinese-American youngsters in pink, green, and yellow costumes performed a flowing scarf dance in honor of the upcoming spring season.

The fair boasts more food than one can comfortably consume. Some highlights are certainly the candy corn-adorned turkey-shaped sugar cookies at the German Donauschwaben and the gooey Greek baklava. The Indian chicken masala is quite savory and filling and the Chinese egg rolls combine the right amounts of greasiness and sweetness.

Have some holiday shopping to do? The Folk Fair has you covered with unique items like colorful Bolivian scarves made from pure alpaca wool, glamorous amber necklaces from Poland, and elegant Japanese tea sets. The Latvian booth boasts comfy and colorful slippers and the Mexican kiosk sells lifelike stuffed animals that kids can “walk” on a leash.

Milwaukeeans of all ethnicities were in attendance – women in sequined Filipino shirts stood beside others wearing German dirndls in line on Friday for delicious banana and Nutella confections at Satellite Crepes. Each country’s booth is a world unto itself, but the festival’s motto – to “celebrate the culture of the story” – shone through.

The Holiday Folk Festival runs through Sunday, Nov. 18 at State Fair Park. Tickets can be purchased online for $10, or $12/$8 for kids at the door.