Food Offerings Abound at Holiday Folk Fair International

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Dave Amoroso • Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Inc.
414-354-0200, ext. 108 • dave@rspr.com

MILWAUKEE, WI – Traditional foods from 24 ethnic groups will again be a major part of the festival experience at 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 in West Allis, Wis.

The World Café, sponsored by the College of Menominee Nation, offers a wide assortment of delicacies from around the world that are meant to be shared by Folk Fair visitors. The following groups, including the African, Jamaican, Senegalese, and Swiss who are new to the event, will have food booths with an extensive menu (a sampling of the available options is listed) from which attendees will choose:

African: West African Meat Pie, Fried Plantain with Beans, Coconut Jollof Rice with Chicken Meat, and Cassava Brownies.

American Pantry; assorted ice creams, soft drinks, and coffee.

Arab: Grilled Chicken Pita Sandwich, Chicken Curry with Rice, and Mango Lassi.

Bavarian: Schnitzel Dinner, Bratwurst on a bun with sauerkraut or pickle, Knoedel (bread dumpling) with gravy, and Sauerkraut.

Chinese: Stir-Fry Noodle, Fried Rice, Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, Sesame Balls, and Fortune Cookies.

Czech: Veprova Pecene Dinner (Roast Pork with Dumpling, Gravy, Sweet Sour Cabbage, Rye Bread) and Zeli (Sweet Sour Cabbage).

Donauschwaben: Schnitzel Sandwich, Smoked Hungarian-style Bratwurst, Seasoned Steak Fries and Dip, and Bienenstich.

Egyptian: Macaroni Bachamel, Chicken Kabob with Rice, Spinach Cheese Pie, Chicken Stick, and  Baklava.

Filipino: Mami, Siopao, Longanisa with Rice, Leche Flan, and Cassava.

French: Sweet Crepes – Nutella, Butter Cinnamon Sugar, Apricot, and Mixed Flavors.

Hmong: Steam Rice Cake, Hmong Vegetable Eggrolls, Sticky Rice with Chicken Larb, Nab Vam, and Boba Tea Smoothie.

Indian: Samosa, Chicken Leg, Aloo-Chole with Rice, and Mango Juice.

Irish: Potato Soup, Corn Beef Sandwich, Soda Bread, and Scones.

Italian: Pizza, Panino Freddo, Arancini (Rice Ball), Cannoli (Regular or Chocolate), and Cremosa.

Japanese: Hobachi Chicken Fried Rice, Okonomiyaki Pancake, Takoyaki Balls, and Fresh Squeezed Green Tea Lemonade.

Jamaican: Jerk Chicken Combo, Red Beans and Rice, and Sautéed Cabbage with Carrots.

Mexican: Beans Bowl with Cheese and Chips Burritos, Tacos, Tamal, and Churros.

Native American: Blanket Dog (Hot Dog Wrapped in Fry Bread), Corn Soup, Indian Taco, and Fry Bread.

Nepali: Nepali Momo, Masu Bhat, Nepali Chow Mein, Nepali Qwati, Nepali Chiya, and Nepali Mango Lassi.

Senegalese: Yassa Chicken with Roasted Onions over White Rice or Couscous, Mafe over White Rice or Couscous, Beignets, Fataya, and Bissap Juice.

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

Slovak: Klobasa Sandwich with Kraut and Pickle, Chicken Paprikash with Halushky, Cabbage Roll, Lentil Soup, and Assorted Bakery.

Swiss: Rosti Potato Pancake (Cheese, Sausage, or Bacon).

Thai: Thai Style Chicken Wings (5), Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Pud Thai, Chicken Red Curry with Bamboo, and Bubble Tea.

Ugandan: Bajia (Potatoes Dipped in Chickpea Flour), Chicken Curry and Spinach with Rice, Banana Mandazi, and Kenyan Black Hot Tea with Ginger and Cardamon.

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.

Special attractions in 2019 include invited international performers and artisans, photographic exhibits, the Artisan corner, a display of traditional apparel from different cultures, the Kohl’s Color Wheels display, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, a Milwaukee Public Museum display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, a bonsai exhibit, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile on Fri., Nov. 22, a Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation tournament on Sat., Nov. 23, and an interdenominational religious service Sun., Nov. 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the Coffeehouse.

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.