Spring Break
Over 40 cultural groups gear up for Folk Fair
Live music, food and art displays highlight annual festival
Kailey Mezera
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: Campus News
Every fall Davies Center takes on the resemblance of cultures across the world. The rooms are transformed into cultural exhibits, giving people a taste of different cultures. The International Folk Fair, the largest international festival of its kind in the area, will be held in Davies Center from 12 To 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. It is free and open to the public. Along with the exhibits, there will be live entertainment.
"The entertainment is really spotlighting UW-Eau Claire students," said Krista Brown, international student adviser.
At the Folk Fair, a group of Hmong students will be doing a fashion show of traditional Hmong clothing, said Brown, and an international student from China will be doing a traditional Chinese dance.
Brown said usually 2,000 to 3,000 people attend the Folk Fair each year.
"It's one of the closest ways to experience that culture," said senior Johanna Howe, co-president of the UW-Eau Claire chapter of UNICEF. "It's like stepping into another world."
Visitors are given a passport to carry with them. Once a person visits and learns something about a particular country or culture, their passport book gets stamped, like it would when entering other countries. People can learn about UNICEF and the issues it deals with at its booth at the Folk Fair.
Live music, a variety of ethnic food, arts and crafts displays, history, language and activities for children can all be expected at the different exhibits and the Folk Fair as a whole.
"I'm excited for the Malaysia food," said Yifei Xu, a member of the Chinese Cultural Association. "There are a lot of people and a lot of performances. ... It's wonderful."
According to the press release, more than 40 organizations and cultural groups will be represented. The groups that participate are UW-Eau Claire organizations, international students, as well as community groups, said Brown.
"It's definitely something worth checking out," said Howe.
"[The Folk Fair] really brings the campus community as well as the Eau Claire community together to celebrate culture," said Brown.
"There is a lot of work to do," Xu said, who will be helping set up decorations for the Chinese Cultural Association and then setting up their traditional art, items and food.
The Folk Fair is coordinated through the Center for International Education and is in collaboration for the event with dining services and events planning, said Brown.
"The entertainment is really spotlighting UW-Eau Claire students," said Krista Brown, international student adviser.
At the Folk Fair, a group of Hmong students will be doing a fashion show of traditional Hmong clothing, said Brown, and an international student from China will be doing a traditional Chinese dance.
Brown said usually 2,000 to 3,000 people attend the Folk Fair each year.
"It's one of the closest ways to experience that culture," said senior Johanna Howe, co-president of the UW-Eau Claire chapter of UNICEF. "It's like stepping into another world."
Visitors are given a passport to carry with them. Once a person visits and learns something about a particular country or culture, their passport book gets stamped, like it would when entering other countries. People can learn about UNICEF and the issues it deals with at its booth at the Folk Fair.
Live music, a variety of ethnic food, arts and crafts displays, history, language and activities for children can all be expected at the different exhibits and the Folk Fair as a whole.
"I'm excited for the Malaysia food," said Yifei Xu, a member of the Chinese Cultural Association. "There are a lot of people and a lot of performances. ... It's wonderful."
According to the press release, more than 40 organizations and cultural groups will be represented. The groups that participate are UW-Eau Claire organizations, international students, as well as community groups, said Brown.
"It's definitely something worth checking out," said Howe.
"[The Folk Fair] really brings the campus community as well as the Eau Claire community together to celebrate culture," said Brown.
"There is a lot of work to do," Xu said, who will be helping set up decorations for the Chinese Cultural Association and then setting up their traditional art, items and food.
The Folk Fair is coordinated through the Center for International Education and is in collaboration for the event with dining services and events planning, said Brown.
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