FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations
414-354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com
MILWAUKEE, WI – Special exhibits and displays will once again play an important role in the 76th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2019, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center at in West Allis, Wis.
A refugee exhibit will return to Folk Fair, with this year’s display inspired by the Awareness Game: Confronting the Plight of Refugees created by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “This simulation guide, which portrays the journey of a refugee, consists of different group games to help imagine the strife of the refugee journey,” said Alexander Durtka Jr., president of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), producers of Folk Fair. “Since many people may not be familiar with this issue, it is important to find an easy and interactive way to engage and teach people about this current crisis.”
The exhibit, titled “The Journey of a Refugee Family,” allows people to walk in a refugee’s shoes. The first section highlights the beginning of the journey before displacement, with the middle section demonstrating the experiences during migration, and the final section depicts the experiences of the resettlement process while transitioning to live in a host country. “By taking ideas from the UNHCR, we have created an interactive display that encourage the audience to visually learn from the refugee journey,” Durtka said.
Presented by Tangerine Mountain Imports & Designs, a display of Japanese kimonos will be exhibited on the south end of the show floor near the refugee exhibit. With clothing directly from Japan, the exhibit will feature kimonos for the different seasons of the year. There will also be a booth in the marketplace where Folk Fair attendees will be shown how to wear kimono in traditional and modern ways, plus purchase apparel.
In addition, there will also be a display of traditional ethnic clothing in the center of the show floor around the large American flag representing a variety of other cultures.
The Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display will feature Herb Heck, aka “Dirty Kettle” depicting and teaching the traditions of the Plains Indians and the Mountain Men. The display is comprised of a teepee arranged as it would have been more than 150 years ago, with items that were typical of the period, including willow beds covered in buffalo hides and back rests wrapped with deer and sheep skins. In addition, a variety of furs line the inside of the teepee, including bobcat, moose, ermine, fox, beaver, mink, coyote, and Canadian timber wolf. The display will also feature items used during the period, including dance sticks, talking and prayer feathers, bows and arrows, tools, traps, fire starting items, and hand-made musical instruments, such as flutes and drums.
The Artisan Corner, presented by Debra Stefl, will feature local vendors demonstrating their craft throughout the weekend, including Chinese children teaching arts and crafts. Southeastern Wisconsin Artisan Corner participants include…
- Bill Hoettels of Milwaukee, Wis. demonstrating Scottish knitting.
- Kim Reyes from Milwaukee, Wis. demonstrating cornhusk doll making.
- Joseph Whitmore of North Prairie, Wis. carving Welsh love spoons.
Skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display and for sale in the International Bazaar, presented by Bath Fitter. Providing a distinguished shopping experience, attendees will find products from 14 ethnicities, including African, Czech, Ecuadorian, Irish, Latvian, Polish, and Thai.
Heritage Lane, sponsored by Everdry, 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. There will displays on behalf of more than 25 ethnic groups, including the Chinese, Egyptian, Hmong, Native American, Norwegian, Pomeranian, and Welsh-Cornish.
Folk Fair attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy bonsai trees from the Milwaukee Bonsai Society. The display will feature a representation of various styles and types of bonsai trees and plants. Varieties to be displayed will include maple, elm, juniper, pine, cedar, and ficus trees, plus jade plants.
With an eye toward the 2019 event theme of “Celebrate the Culture of Language,” there will be signage next to each tree and plant that identifies the bonsai style, an explanation of the style, and the Japanese word for the style. Attendees will be able to vote on their favorite tree.
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 Milwaukee Art Museum presents Kohl’s Color Wheels will again appear at Folk Fair, with a mobile art experience where kids take part in fun projects, plus grow and learn through art.
A program of the International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeastern Wisconsin. The 2019 theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Language – Indigenous and Heritage,” will allow Fair-goers the opportunity to explore how the language of those from around the world shape how they communicate and what they share with the next generation.
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 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 with unique traditions and customs through interactive exhibits, the International Bazaar where cultural artifacts create a unique shopping experience, and the Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.
Hours on Fri., Nov. 22 are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 23; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 24.
Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 through Thursday, Nov. 21, at the International Institute of Wisconsin, 1110 N. Old World Third St., Suite 420 in Milwaukee; from all participating ethnic groups; and by phone (414-225-6225 or 1-800-FAIR-INTL); fax (414-225-6235); or on-line at www.folkfair.org. In addition to the individual tickets, family four-packs are available for $36.
Admission at the gate will be $14 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 2019 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.