Varied Food Choices Offered at Holiday Folk Fair International

MILWAUKEE, WI ¾ Traditional foods representing 23 ethnicities will again be a major component of the festival experience at the 81^st annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival, to be held Fri., Nov. 22 – Sun., Nov. 24, 2024, at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.

The World Café presents an extensive variety of delicacies from around the world that are designed to be shared by Folk Fair attendees. The following, including Korean cuisine, which is new to the event, will have food booths with an extensive menu (a portion of the available options is listed) from which attendees will choose:

American Pantry: Assorted Ice Creams and Soft Drinks

Chinese: Sweet and Sour Chicken with White Rice, Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick, and Egg Rolls

Coffee House: Coffee, Flavored Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and Tea

Croatian: Sarma s Krumpirom (Sarma Cabbage Roll with Mashed Potatoes), Sarma s Krumpirom (Sarma Cabbage Roll with Mashed Potatoes, and Breskvica (Peach Cookie)

Czech: Knedliky (Dumplings with Gravy); Zelí (Sweet Sour Cabbage), and Vepřová Pečeně (Roast Pork Sandwich)

Donauschwaben: Assorted Cookies and Bars; Assorted Tortes; and Strudel

Filipino: Pancit (Rice Noodles and Vegetables), Salabat (Sweet Ginger Tea), Leche Flan, and Ube Cookies

French: Sweet Crepes – Nutella and Banana, Butter, Sugar, & Lemon, and Apricot Jam

Hmong: Sausage with Sticky Rice, Chicken Curry Noodle Soup, and Shrimp Spring Rolls

Indian: Chicken Tikka Masala with Rice, Samosa, and Mango Lassi

Irish: Corned Beef Sandwich, Guinness Brat, Potato Soup, and Scones

Italian: Pasta, Meatballs, and Breadstick, Cold or Hot Panino, Assorted Italian Cookies, and Tiramisu

Japanese: Kanikama Carb Rangoon; Potsticker Gyoza, Shrimp Tempura Tempura Fried Cheese Curds, and Bubble Tea with Popping Boba

Korean: Vanilla Bean Yuzu Cake; Pandas Cream Brulee; Basque Bundt Cheesecake;

Mexican: Bean Bowl with Cheese and Chips, Nachos Supreme, Tacos, and Churros

Multi-Cultural: Beignets, Mini Chocolate Eclairs, and Macaroons

Rohingya: Chickpeas Paratha, Keema (Ground Beef) Paratha, Fried Rice Burmese, and Ghost Rider Cake

Senegalese: Yassa Chicken over White Rice or Couscous, Beignets, Fataya, and Citrus Juice

Serbian: Serbian Stuffed Cabbage, Beef Goulash, and Various Cakes and Cookies

Thai: Chicken Volcano with Veggies, Crab Rangoon, Chicken Satay, and Iced Jasmine Green Tea

Ugandan: Chicken Curry with Spinach and Rice, Sambusa (Veggie or Turkey), Smoked Jerk Chicken with Rice, and Tropical Smoothies

Ukrainian: Pyrizhky (Stuffed Bun with Meat or Cabbage), Honey Cake, and Ukrainian Cheesecake

Vietnamese: Pork Egg Roll, Shrimp Pot Sticks, Beef Pho Soup Noodles, and Beef with Bell Peppers Stir Fry

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 Traditional Art,” will allow Fairgoers to explore how traditional art represents one’s cultural heritage, as it conveys traditions, values, and beliefs. The featured food at the 2024 event will be traditional desserts, which have a historical significance to many cultural groups.

Special attractions in 2024 include invited international performers and artisans, featuring Folk Ensemble Lindyo from Croatia and Rocky Mountain Express from Utah, photographic exhibits, cultural murals produced by Milwaukee Public Schools students, the Artisan Corner, the Dirty Kettle Native American interactive display, the Wisconsin Woodturners, a Children’s Area presented by Leafguard, a bonsai exhibit, a Naturalization Ceremony on Nov. 22, a Youth Chess Tournament on Nov. 23, and an Interdenominational Religious Service on Nov. 24.

The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Café offering traditional dishes; the Tanzhauz, 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 American Culinary Federation Chefs of Milwaukee Chefs Stage presented by TightSeal Exteriors and Baths featuring local chefs preparing traditional cuisine.

Hours are 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 22; 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 $13 through Thursday, Nov. 21, at the Folk Fair website (https://folkfair.org/admission/) and from all participating ethnic groups. There are no refunds. Admission at the gate is $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 2024 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.