International Fair Brings the World to Illinois State, Feb. 23 & 24

Food, gifts, cultural artifacts and entertainment from around the world will be the highlights of the 38th Annual International Fair at Illinois State University, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23 & 24. The event will be held in the Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom.

The International Fair is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24.  Admission at the door is $3 for adults and $2 for students (junior high through college).   Children fifth grade and younger are admitted free.

This year’s International Fair will feature nearly 30 booths hosted by student nationality groups and community organizations. In addition to food and entertainment, an informational scavenger hunt will give children and adults a chance to learn more about different countries around the world.

Featured entertainment at this year’s International Fair will include the a cappella group Chai Town on Saturday at 5 p.m. Chai Town’s international artists perform  familiar music with added cultural interpretations.  The Celtic folk music group Traveler’s Dream will take the stage at 4 p.m. on Sunday.   Additional entertainment throughout the two-day fair will include folk music from various cultures as well as folk dances and a fashion show.  

Food is also a traditional highlight of the International Fair.  Food booths, sponsored by Illinois State student organizations representing more than 10 countries, will be offering various traditional dishes from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean for sale.