Holiday Folk Fair International Features Special Exhibits and Displays

MILWAUKEE, WI ⎯ Special exhibits and displays will once again play an important role in the 80th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 17 – Sun., Nov. 19, 2023, Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

Working with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Fine Arts Department, Folk Fair will present 16 murals prepared by MPS students, with the murals depicting cultures from around the world. The following schools participated in the project, with the area represented in the murals:

• Academia De Lenguaje Y Bellas Artes (ALBA) Grade School: Puerto Rico
• Bay View High School: India
• The Lynde and Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School: United States
• Anna F. Doerfler Grade School: Native American
• Escuela Vieau Public School: Nicaragua
• Fratney Street Elementary School: Mexico
• Golda Meir School: Hmong
• Marshall High School: Italy (Sicily) and a Holiday Folk Fair Welcome Sign
• Maryland Avenue Montessori School: Ireland
• Milwaukee High School of the Arts: Japan
• Morgandale Elementary School: Rohingya
• North Division High School: Pakistan
• Rogers Street Academy: Dominican Republic
• South Division High School: Honduras
• Walt Whitman School: Nigeria

In recognition of the event’s 2023 featured food, rice, a photographic exhibit of rice dishes from around the world will be presented, with images depicting delicacies such as sushi (Japan), biryani (India), risotto (Italy), congee (China), and jollof rice (West Africa).

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…

• Master Artisan Vesile Yilmaz of Brookfield showing Ebru (marbling), also known as paper marbling, a Turkish art from Central Asia.
• Masaru Danshita of Milwaukee doing Origami Papercraft.
• Taka Erck of Harland demonstrating Zaishu Japanese Pottery.
• Master Artisan Glen Gorsuch of Neshkoro making canoe paddles.
• Seon Joo So of Shorewood doing Korean Paper folding.
• Angelica Varona from Shorewood making Filipino wooden stars and paper crafts.

Skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display and for sale in the International Bazaar, presented by TightSeal Exteriors and Baths. Providing a distinguished shopping experience, attendees will find products from 20 groups, including the Chinese, Czech, Irish, Polish, and Thai.

Heritage Lane 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 15 groups, including the Burmese, Donauschwaben, Lithuanians, Pomeranians, Rohingya, Slovenians, and Welsh.

Folk Fair attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and enjoy bonsai trees from the Milwaukee Bonsai Society. The term bonsai means tree in a pot, and it is a living art sculpture that combines three dimensional design and horticulture. 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. 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.

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 2023 theme, “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dress,” will allow Fairgoers the opportunity to explore how groups share their culture and traditions through the apparel they wear. The featured food at the 2023 event will be rice, considered one of the most important foods in the world.

Additional special attractions in 2023 include invited cultural performers, a Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation tournament on Sat., Nov. 18, and an interdenominational religious service Sun., Nov. 19, at 10:30 a.m. in the Tanzhaus.

The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhaus where attendees dance and sing along with a variety of musical stylings; 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 Callen Chef’s Stage featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Hours will be 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 17; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 18; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 19.

Advance tickets, which are available for purchase at the Folk Fair website, are $13 each for eight years old and up. Admission at the gate will be $16 for ages 8 – 61, with children up to age seven admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $14, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.

For more information on the 2023 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.