Holiday Folk Fair International celebrates traditional dress

2023 Holiday Folk Fair International

Cultures came together at State Fair Park on Saturday, Nov. 18 for the 80th Holiday Folk Fair International.

WEST ALLIS, Wis. - The 2023 Holiday Folk Fair International brought cultures together at the Wisconsin State Fair Expo Center in West Allis on Saturday, Nov. 18.

The event celebrates the cultural heritage of the people living in southeast Wisconsin – exploring the ways music, food, dance and art weave together a message of welcome. This year's theme was "Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dress," allowing people the opportunity to explore how groups share their culture and traditions through the apparel they wear.

"Every nation is proud of what they wear," said Donna Roever, Holiday Folk Fair International spokesperson. "And many of it has meanings. Like I’m from the Czech group and if you wear a circle of flowers in your hair, that means you’re available."

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People say their favorite part is seeing the cultures weave together.

"I like the entertainment, the food, different ethnic dancing, cultures, exhibits," said Jeanyne Newmann.

2023 Holiday Folk Fair International

"As long as I’ve been coming here, since ‘58, I still learned a whole bunch of things when I go to the culture booths," added Sheila Bethia. "Everybody gets together, and I think it’s so important to look for things that we're alike than different and learn things."

Sunday, Nov. 19 is the last day of the Holiday Folk Fair International.

Holiday Folk Fair International on FOX6 WakeUp

Holiday Folk Fair International Overview

FOX6's Isley Gooden chats with Dr. Paul Trebian to learn more about the 80th annual Holiday Folk Fair International.

Celebrating the culture of traditional dress

The 2023 theme, "Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dress," will allow people the opportunity to explore how groups share their culture and traditions through the apparel they wear.

MPS student artwork on display at the Folk Fair

A review of the 16 murals prepared by MPS students that depict cultures from around the world. MPS teacher Gina Jorgensen helped to organize the work that was done by the students and is setting up the displays at Holiday Folk Fair.

Dirty Kettle Native American display

Herb Heck explains the hand-made musical instruments that are on display and how those were important to the people from that time, with an opportunity to play the instruments at the 2023 Folk Fair International.

You can learn more by visiting the event website.