Soin International and the Dayton International Festival, Inc (DIFI) present the 38th Annual International Festival, A World A’Fair May 20-22 at the Dayton Convention Center.
Since the 1970’s the festival has been celebrating diversity in food, music, dancing, ethnic dress, exhibits and cultures from around the world. This year’s theme is Wedding Customs Around The World and features an exciting and diverse selection of traditional wedding customs, music, dance and stories. One of the festival’s highlights this year is an actual wedding that will take place on Saturday, May 21st at 12:00 noon on the informal stage.
Back by popular demand are the astonishing Kenya Safari Acrobats who have been entertaining audiences around the world for more than a decade. Incorporating native culture into a high energy show, they take acrobatics to jaw dropping extremes to thrill and delight people of all ages. Spectators are always amazed at their human pyramids, balancing acts and limbo dances. This unique and entertaining troupe will be performing gravity-defying feats on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Dayton International Festival is very proud to have Carolyn Stovall as the 2011 Honorary Chairperson. She was awarded this honor for her many years of service to the DIFI organization. Carolyn has been active in the Miami Valley Folk Dancers for 50 years, dancing for many of those years, and later served as a well-respected teacher.
A World A’Fair is proud to recognize Soin International as the title sponsor of this celebration. Headquartered in Dayton, Soin International is a private, multinational holding company that serves global customers through offices in North America, Europe and India. Rajesh K. Soin, the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Soin International is a successful businessman known throughout the world for his business acumen, leadership and expertise in growth oriented businesses covering multiple industries.
“A World A’Fair promotes the rich cultural diversity that exists in our community and embraces the aspects which make us unique”, said Raj Soin, Chairman of Soin International. “This event provides an opportunity for everyone in the greater Dayton area to appreciate the differences among people of various cultures and experience their own cultures, history and traditions.”
New for 2011, is the Health Fair presented by the Asian American Council of Dayton. Available to all attendees on Saturday, May 21, visitors will be offered free screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, ADHD, HIV, depression and anxiety. Educational information and workshops on dental care will also be provided. There will also be an opportunity to register as a bone marrow donor.
The ever popular Children’s Area, which is sponsored by the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, will once again be available for families to hear stories from around the world, learn songs, participate in games and engage in crafts. It provides a great opportunity for children to expand their horizons and learn about the variety of foods and cultures from around the world. Back by popular demand are the well known passports, which are sponsored by Premier Health Services. Children can have their “passports” stamped as they travel from booth to booth with a chance to win prizes donated by the member organizations of DIFI. Also returning this year will be a Naturalization Ceremony celebrating new citizens, which will take place on Saturday, May 21.
Countries represented at A World A’Fair include: Countries of Africa, China, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico, Scotland, South Slavic Countries, Turkey and Vietnam.
A World A’Fair is open to the public on the following dates and times:
Friday, May 20 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 22 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
There is a fee for attendance with tickets available at the door for the following prices:
Adults $7.00 Senior Citizens $5.00 Youth (6-18) $4.00
Advance sale tickets are available at AAA, Siebenthaler’s and Krogers and offer discounts for the adult and youth tickets.
In addition to Soin International, the event is also sponsored by TDH Marketing, Teradata, CareSource, The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, Clear Channel, Kroger, the Oakwood Register, Cultural Works, WHIO TV 7, Montgomery County, and Jim Rohal Design, Erie Construction and the Ohio Arts Council. A World A’Fair also recognizes the special support for the wedding couple from Price Stores, Wicked Cake Creations and Ramada Inn, Wagner Ford Road.
The International Festival, A World A’Fair, was the vision and dream of Father Gabriel J. Rus, SM (1910-1979) and Aldona Ryan of Lithuania. With the help of many others, including the then director of the Dayton Council on World Affairs, Mrs. Maxine Stucke, the idea of an ethnic celebration was formed. From 1973 through 1977, the World A’Fair was a committee of the Dayton Council on World Affairs. In 1978 under the supervision of Legal Counsel, Mr. Tom Folino, A World A’Fair was incorporated as a non-profit organization, known as the Dayton International Festival, Inc. It has grown to include the cultures of more than 35 participating groups. For more information including the schedule of all performances, visit www.aworldafair.org.
Win Tickets!
We have four family four-packs of tickets to give away to our readers – simply fill out the form below by Wednesday 5/18 at midnight and we’ll draw random winners on Thursday. Good luck!
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