Holiday Folk Fair International - Milwaukee, WI


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The first church my husband and I attended as newlyweds, was located in Silver Lake, WI.  It was at this church that our pastor, a former missionary to the Laos people, came up to my husband and I and said, "If you ever want a taste of the mission field, go to the Holiday Folk Fair International in Milwaukee, Wisconsin."  Up until this point in my life, I was fairly uncultured.  I really didn't know much about the different cultures of the world or the different foods.  I grew up with TV Dinners, Friday night pizza from always the same pizza placegrilled cheese with tomato soup, packaged Ramen Noodles, and mom's homemade fried chicken or stuffed green peppers on occasion.  That was pretty much the extent of my normal diet.  The only kind of dancing I was familiar with was the weird stuff kids did at homecoming and prom, and the routines I helped choreograph for the Pom-Pom squad that I was a part of and later helped coach.  To say that I was uneducated in the various cultures of the world would be an understatement.  Now let me take you on a journey through the different cultures of the world that you can encounter by attending the Holiday Folk Fair International in Milwaukee, WI.  No expensive plane ticket or passport needed.


For 76 years now, Milwaukee has been hosting the Holiday Folk Fair International once a year, always in November.  This year, it will be held on Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 24th at the State Fair Park Exposition Center.  Since that first year attending back in 1994, this yearly event has marked the beginning of the holiday season for me.  I try to go every year.  However, sometimes life gets in the way and when I don't get to go, the holidays just aren't the same.  There is something about this event that has become something so special to me.  It is a chance to step outside of my little corner of the world and increase my vision, diversify my experiences, learn new things, and be inspired in ways I otherwise knew nothing about.


With over 50 countries represented each year, you are in for a sensory feast.  The colors, the clothing, the music, the dancing, the arts and crafts, the marketplace and the smells from all the amazing food will bring you delight in so many ways.  I always walk away from this feeling like a better person.  Better educated, more diversified, more inspired, more curious and very well fed.


Many of the different cultures around the world have different dances for different occasions in life.  There is the harvest dance, the courtship dance, the wedding dances, the various spiritual dances, war and victory dances, seasonal festival dances, holiday dances, etc.  The list goes on.  Before each dance performance, the narrator will describe in detail the cultural significance of that particular dance.  I love this part. One of my favorites is when the Ukranian dancers do their male dominance dance.  The way they progressively get more complicated as the dance goes on and do more leaps and jumps and tricks, really gets the crowd going and is so fun to watch.


One of the things my children always loved about the Folk Fair was going to the information booth and getting their own passports.  Then, throughout the day, as they visit the different booths, both in the marketplace and in the educational section, they would get their passports stamped.  It is a fun way for kids to feel like they are visiting the countries.  People tend to be afraid of things they don't know.  That is why I feel exposing your children to the different cultures of the world is of great benefit to them.  They will understand people better, be more compassionate, empathetic and embrace and love their neighbors better.


Visiting the different culture's booths and witnessing cultural art being made is a real highlight.  If you are curious, you can really learn a lot by talking to the artists about their craft.  I had never seen someone carve fruit into such intricate pieces of art before.  I couldn't believe how beautiful a carved watermelon could be.  It is so fascinating.  People painting eggs, making Scandinavian straw ornaments, carving fruits and vegetables the Thai way, weaving, making beaded jewelry, wood carving, knitting, corn husk doll making, etc.  There is so much to see and do.  You may leave motivated to try your hand at a new craft.


Let's talk a bit about the cultural clothing.  The colors, textures, and details are so amazing and diverse.  As you walk throughout the building, you are likely to see groups of people dressed in a certain way that represents their culture.  It truly is beautiful.  Some of the embroidery on outfits is so intricately detailed.  Some outfits have bells attached to them so that as the group walks or dances, you hear the bells ringing.  Most of the outfits are traditional outfits that the immigrants would have worn in their home country for special occasions.


The cultural marketplace is full of unique items that you won't find in other places.  You can purchase a Jewish Dreidel, a German advent calendar, Matryoshka nesting dolls, handmade ornaments, jewelry, clothing, marionette string puppets, braided rugs, crocheted doiliesmusical instruments and a whole host of interesting items, either made directly in their country of origin or handcrafted by people carrying on their country's traditions right here in Wisconsin.  


This place is full of rich, living history.  For one full day, you can immerse yourself into the different ethnic traditions that make each culture unique.  Learn a new dance, how to cook a new dish, a new skill or craft, learn about immigrants and their history.  It is like opening up a textbook and having the information pop right off the page and become real.  It is the very best kind of learning.  For educators, this would make a wonderful field trip.  There is a page on their website just for school field trips.  For home school parents, I cannot think of a more valuable field trip.  It's also a perfect family outing, date night or girls day out.  Whatever stage you find yourself in, this promises to be a fun, educational activity that will inspire you.

Visit their website 

to find current dates and times, admission charges, schedules, etc.




I watched the different steps involved in painting these Pacenka eggs and was amazed at the amount of detail and steps involved.  She would cover the egg with melted wax and scratch the pattern on and then use a dye to paint.  I can't remember all the steps, just that it was quite complicated, but oh so cool.  I can't stress how important it is for people to have the opportunity to see these folk arts being made.  So much can be lost, so quickly, if not passed down.  It is such a gift that there are people willing to come and spend a weekend demonstrating their craft for others to learn.



Each year, the Chef's Corner is a favorite place for those that love learning new culinary skills.  Chefs come and teach you how to make such things as Polish pierogies, Japanese Sushi, Korean Kimchi, Thai Spring Rolls, Filipino Rice Desserts, etc.   Every year is something new.  It's a wonderful chance to learn the secrets of those who know their craft the best.

The Chinese booth has often had a gentleman there that would write all the children's names on bookmarks for them in Chinese.  Those were always very special and something I would laminate right away when we got home so they could use them for a long time.


The young children also dress up and do their dances as well.  I love that the cultural groups in the city of Milwaukee are so intentional about passing on their cultural traditions to the next generation so that the Holiday Folk Fair can continue for many more years, teaching history to many future generations.  

A good book that children might enjoy is
What We Wear: Dressing Up Around The World by: Maya Ajmera

With beautiful photography, this book helps children understand the unique differences among all of us that should be celebrated.

I have a large collection of photographs for sale from the Holiday Folk Festival that you can access here.



They will often have indigenous people come from places outside of Milwaukee.  They will sing in their own native tongue and give us a real glimpse of cultures completely different than our own.  It is a great opportunity to learn about so many different tribes around the world.  To have so many cultures from the world represented under one roof is a real privilege.  I know their theme this year revolves around indigenous language and the preservation of it.



Throughout the day you will hear all types of folk music being played.  Diverse instruments including the accordion, banjo, fiddle, violin, bongo drums, snare drums, Native American flutes, guitars, cello, ukuleles, keyboard, Scottish bagpipes, etc., can be heard playing.  It always amazes me how each culture has its own unique sound.



If you go on Sunday, you can attend an inter-denominational church service.  I can't help think that it's like a little slice of heaven where there will be people from every tribe, tongue, and language worshiping God together.






The food!  Oh, the food!  Incredible amounts of cultural foods to pick from.  The problem is always deciding what cultural foods you will eat.  Will you go have Gyros, Spanakopita and Baklava, nachos and churros, French crepes, pizza, rosettes and cannoli, rum balls, Czechoslovakian kolache cookies, egg rolls, and fried rice or crab rangoon?  How about potato pancakes, Irish potato soup in a bread bowl, Bienenstich or beef stew? One of my favorites is the steamed bun filled with shredded pork.  My husband loves the Buffalo Burgers on Indian fry bread.  Whatever you do, try to taste some new foods.  This is your opportunity to diversify your taste buds.  They also offer cooking demonstrations for your learning enjoyment.


Most Polish dances, like many other cultures around the world, are based on historical events that have happened in their culture's history.  They tend to be lighthearted in nature and very entertaining to watch.





The beautiful colors of the Mexican dancer's dresses are truly breathtaking.  It is a feast for the eyes.  Every color of the rainbow flowing effortlessly around the stage is mesmerizing in every way.  Mexican pride in their dances is very evident.  Whether they are doing the Mexican Hat Dance, a dance that tells the story of the Spanish conquest, or another dance that celebrates their religion or a special time in their history, you will feel the pride in their heritage shine forth.


Like the gift our pastor gave us so many years ago by simply mentioning this event to us in passing, I hope to pass along the same gift to you in hopes that you will go and experience this 76 years long Milwaukee holiday tradition and see for yourself all the wonderful things you can learn.  If you have gone before or you go for the first time, I would love to hear how your time was.


Until next time, always choose the scenic life!

Hannah Babiak is a stock photographer and travel blogger.  For writing assignments or ideas for future posts, please contact her at alwayschoosethesceniclife@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

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