Holiday Folk Fair International To Feature Special Events

A variety of special events will be highlighted throughout the grounds at the 73rd annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 18 – Sun., Nov. 20, 2016, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis.

The Holiday Folk Fair International’s annual “Cultural Awareness Program” on Nov. 18, will give more than 3,000 fourth through eighth grade students and teachers an opportunity to personally experience global connections through ethnic displays, workshops, mini language and genealogy classes, exhibits and demonstrations, music and dance performances, storytelling, food sampling, and a marketplace.

Approximately 200 individuals will accept the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship by participating in the Folk Fair’s annual Naturalization Ceremony on Nov. 18 at 2:30 p.m.

The 16th annual Around The World 5K Run/Walk benefitting The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County will be held Sat., Nov. 19, at 9:00 a.m. Starting and finishing near the State Fair Park Exposition Center, a portion of the race proceeds will support the Salvation Army’s Homeless Children’s Program, while the balance will be used to provide educational opportunities to help children take pride in their own cultures while developing respect and tolerance for other cultures through the International Institute of Wisconsin. Awards will be given to top teams and the top male and female runners in each age division.

The USATF Certified 5K race that is professionally chip timed has a pre-registration fee of $25.00 (received before Nov. 18) or $30.00 day of race. The registration package includes a long-sleeve T-shirt, light refreshments, and free Holiday Folk Fair International admission. Online registration is at www.folkfair.org, or call the Holiday Folk Fair International at 414-225-6225.

The Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation will conduct a tournament on Sat., Nov. 19, with individual and team trophies presented in three classes. The first round will commence at 11:00 a.m., with the awards ceremony scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per player in advance, and $15 for on-site registration. Players can register at www.wisconsinscholasticchess.org, with payment made at the event.

An interdenominational religious service that brings a variety of ethnic groups together will be held Nov. 20, at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

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 Water,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to learn the ways in which water and its symbolism is incorporated into the music, food, dance, arts, and crafts of Holiday Folk Fair. Special attractions in 2016 include invited international performers and artisans, including the Schlitzerländer Trachten- und Volkstanzkreis musical group from Schlitz, Germany, a World Heritage Japanese photographic exhibit, the Sisters Cities International 2016 Young Artist and Authors Showcase, The United States Department of State “Faces of Diplomacy” exhibit, the Artisan corner sponsored by Debra Stefl and Katherine Kral, Financial Advisors with Morgan Stanley, the Kohl’s Color Wheels display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, and a bonsai exhibit.

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, the Tanzhauz (Music Pavilion) where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical styling’s, the Coffee House where patrons enjoy a beverage and baked goods while listening to talented musicians, Heritage Lane, presented by Weather Tight Corporation, with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar, sponsored by Leaf Filter, where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Callen Construction Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Hours on Fri., Nov. 18 are 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 20. 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.

For more information on the 2016 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call the International Institute of Wisconsin at 414-225-6225.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.