By Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Oct 23, 2006 at 4:00 PM
The International Holiday Folk Fair, America's premiere multi-cultural fair, is on its 63rd year and sets up at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park for a three-day event Friday-Sunday, Nov. 17-19.

This year's theme is "Celebrate the Carriers of Culture" and features an assortment of ethnic foods, music and dance performances, historical displays of ethnic cultures, arts and crafts displays, and educational demonstrations. The event also includes a United States Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony on Saturday, at 10:30 a.m. and the fifth annual Around The World 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, at 9 a.m.

What's new this year? Performers from the Native Alaskan Heritage Center, exhibits of Icelandic textiles, World Heritage Sites of Japan, Portraits of Hmong Women, and historic folk art. Featured local artists in the Music Pavilion include Johnny Hoffman and the Herzbuben, Steve Meisner Band, Izvor and the Melkmeisters.

Hours on Friday are 3-10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance, and $10 at the door. Children 5 and younger are admitted at no charge, with tickets for children ages 6-12 $8 at the gate. A "Family Fun 4-Pack" of tickets for $28 is available through the International Institute of Wisconsin office.
Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.

As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”