We're gonna talk fun that you know the holiday season is here when the holiday folk fair
international hit State Fair Park. This has been going on for a couple of years. How
many years, Paul? 82 years this year. Yeah, I told you a couple of years has been going
on not long to 82 years. And when you think about it, think about the year that was,
whoa, that's the 1940s, 1940s, yeah. Definitely older than I am. Me too. Not much older,
older. Okay, so the holiday folk fair international hit State Fair. And this is one of those traditions,
people say, we got to go to every year because this is just tradition. Let's talk about it.
Okay, now it's this weekend. And it runs, let's see, the 21st, 22nd, 23rd. And this kicks off the
holiday season in town. And then you got, you know, Thanksgiving obviously next week. And then
the Christmas season. So let's talk about it. What do we get in there? What are we gonna see?
Well, it's very, we try to make sure it's a familiar place so the layout is very similar.
And but we do have a new things coming, a professional group from Poland is coming,
another group from Utah. And we also have special events for the reception. So it's a wonderful
time for people to come and see culture, dance, have food, look at the heritage lane with all the
culture, and also look at some of the merchandise. You know, it is the shopping season. Yeah,
the which building is it held in? You know what, Fand?
Yes, in the Expo Center, it's a great park. Yeah, that's pretty big. That's that that's
huge. Okay, now, the show is the actual dancing part. Is there a set schedule? People can pick up
somewhere or look online to make sure they don't miss it? Oh, yes. When you go on Folkford.org,
you can see all about the event there. When you do arrive, the the World Stage Theater has a
display of all the times in the different groups. So you'd be able to take a look at that.
You know, when you get to the food area, it's right next to that. So as you're looking at your
food walk around, you can actually see that schedule. And there's plenty of slots, lots of groups.
They repeat throughout the weekend. So if you come multiple times weekend, you're sure to be
able to see different groups. There's plenty to see and plenty to experience.
Okay, now on the Friday, it's not just fun and games for everybody, but you actually have
some teaching going on for students. From 9 a.m. to 2, there's what we call the education day,
and the K-12 schools come. We have about close to 5,000 I believe students are going to be
participating this year. And it's always great. They go through the schools, have them go through
some exercises to learn things, but also enjoying their time there and seeing some of the
performances. And they get their little passports stamp and they actually go through and check out
the different cultural booths. You know what? I never had class trips like this. We went to museums,
we did that. We did all that stuff, but never like this. What a class trip that would be.
Whoa, it's absolutely wonderful. And you know, it's, it gives a life to history. I remember as a kid,
oh man, history glass. But you know, this, this is something that is a gem for sure. And it's
always very popular with the teachers. We always get asked, what's the theme for the next year?
And so this year's theme is celebrating the culture of traditional music.
Now I also notice as a future global leaders night, which is different, right?
Yes, this is where we have the high school students are going to be able to come. And so
it's, it's not like we haven't done that, something like it before, but we're definitely doing
things deliberate and bringing new context to how we do things. And so it's a little subtle
changes, which I think is great when you come year after year to look for the subtle changes.
And of course, cultures actually evolve and grow along with that we should be growing as well.
So it's a great place to discover yourself and discover others.
Now, I noticed the Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Federation conducting a tournament on
November 22nd with individual trophies being given out. Do you play chess?
Well, when I was really young, I don't play chess now. And those chess players are really good,
though young players. Yeah, that's a very popular thing. And I love to see them compete. And then
of course, when when the competition is over and the awards are handed out, it's always a
sense of accomplishment and excitement of proud parents. It's wonderful to see people
enjoying themselves. And at the same time, being able to fellowship and afterwards,
you'll get some more brain food, you know. Well, you know, and I play chess, but I don't,
I'm not one of those chess players. I say, I'm going to use the Bobby Fisher move from 1960,
September, when he gets born spasky. This is the famous, but I can't do that. I just keep moving
along until hopefully I win. I train me. I generally play people who are not smarter than me.
But I still managed to lose. I don't know how that happens, but it's fun playing chess. Yeah.
Okay. Now also, senior day, by the way, you can still register to be part of that chess tournament,
right? I believe so. So I would definitely go out the Fulcourt Outdoor and see all the different
things that are going on. And you can check out the various costs of things you can buy tickets ahead
of time and you can also get them at the door. And so it's a great website to find past
presentations as well. And we also have other social media outlets that display holiday Fulcourt.
And we have senior day coming up. Boy, that age limit is really low for senior day.
62 and over. How did I get above that? I thought it would be like senior day, 90 and above.
But no, it's not. Yeah. I love it when I get asked. Oh, you're a senior, right? And they
went, um, yes, I guess though. But you know what? When I go to the movies, I point that senior
parking spot and I dare anybody to tell me because my, I don't have any gray hair. And people always
say, well, you're not over 60 years. You know what? I'm parking here. If you want to take me to court
or lay out 20 bucks, I'm going to roof my car. I'll prove it to you. But yeah, I'm a senior.
Okay. So senior day is coming up. And what's good for seniors?
Well, with the seniors, it's, I really like that it's all one level for everybody. And, um,
and then also, you know, the prices. I also think that what is really neat is
the value that the culture is placed on the seniors. And you can go in there and take a look at
in Heritage Lane. You can see all the different age groups represented there. So it's a,
it's a great place for us to find our spot in our, in our own culture and our own heritage,
no matter what age you are. And I find that I learned something new about myself, especially when
I learned something about others. And as seniors, that's what we do. We continue to learn.
Now, if you, if you want to look at Polish dancers, you can look at the old European dancers.
There's always a folk dance. Do we have any here in this country? A square dancing may,
I don't know. What do we have in America that's kind of folksy dancing? Would it be square dancing?
I don't know. What do you think? When I was young in northern Wisconsin, we had, uh, we had
sought-a-city days where they did have some square dancing, but it was a folk dance. More of
local folk group. But most of the cultures were German and, and, uh, also other European cultures,
as well, as well that we're settling here. And, uh, and what I really enjoy is that all of those
cultures have preserved themselves. And we have really good professional groups within our own
state to come and show off their traditional dress, their, uh, traditional music. Um, so, um,
it is very much part of Wisconsin, all these different cultures that we have.
You know, my, uh, I was staying with my grandmother. They were just, we're talking about Brooklyn,
New York. I stayed with my grandmother. And one day she said, you, my, my grandfather and her,
we're going to go out square dancing. I said square dancing. What do you square dance in Brooklyn?
She said, Bay, there's a square dancing club we belong to. And she got into this big square
dancing dress. And my grandfather got the bowl of tie with all the, he looked like he was out of
the old way. I was shocked to see my grandparents like this. I said, whoa, I know. And they were
square dancing. And who knew that went on in Brooklyn? Yeah. It's amazing. Hold on. Look,
go ahead. What are you gonna say? Yeah. Of course, I have my own tradition to, uh, being
native of Alaskan. And, uh, there aren't that many of us in the state here, but there are some.
And, uh, this year, my daughter is having a, uh, cultural booth as well. And she,
she actually speaks the language better than I do now. So, look at you, native of Alaskan.
Whoa. I think of the first native of traditional dress on as well. And during the formal ceremony,
he's allowed my traditional blanket. And, uh, so I just absolutely love the opportunity to do
what my mother said and that is, make sure you let everybody know that we're still here. So,
I'm fulfilling my mother's with you. Look at you. What a good son.
Talk to Paul Trebian. And we're talking about the holiday folk fair international, the 82nd
annual holiday folk fair international this weekend at State Fair Park. And point on, I guess
on Sunday, there's an internet inter-denominational religious service on the grounds, right?
Correct. Yes. Uh, we, uh, have a service where we can, uh, think and meditate on, uh,
everything that's going on around us. And I find it a very peaceful time. Uh, sometimes I
actually participate, participate in myself and, and provide some, uh, some music or some words,
thoughtful words that align with our, uh, some of our religious practices. So, um, there
seems to be an event for everybody. Um, of course, I like circle back and think about the main event
and that is being able to come and, uh, see the song and dance and have dessert.
And the International Institute of Wisconsin, uh, is represented the holiday folk fair this year,
celebrating the cultural heritage of people living right here in Southeast Wisconsin.
It's awesome to be all, uh, together at the special in these times where we have the opportunity
to, um, learn about each other and discover our similarities and discover our differences and
celebrate all of that, uh, because we're stronger, uh, together, uh, than a part. So it's a
great time to get together. That's good. We are stronger together than a part. Absolutely. I
like them. I'm going to write that down. I'm going to say I came up with it though. Is that all right?
That's okay. I do that with a lot of things. I hear something. Oh, I came up with that.
All right. Um, special attractions. We talked about this before, but people just tuning in,
because they tune in and out throughout the morning. Let's talk about some of the special
attractions included in the, uh, in the weekend from Poland, Utah. Let's talk about that.
Well, the professional group from Poland is coming in. The holiday folk first part of a larger
organization, uh, C.O.F. International, which is, uh, part of UNESCO. And it, it helps to organize
these folklore and folk festival to preserve the culture and heritage of different people
around the world. But the holiday folk for itself here in Wisconsin, we're the largest indoor,
celebration in, in the United States. So we have something very unique, uh, a gem that we've had
here for so many years. And that, that professional group in Poland results from our, our connections
around the world. And of course, uh, there's other groups within the United States. And,
and the dance group from Utah is going to be there as well. And, um, so we try to, um, secure
professionals from, um, around the world as much as we can. And of course, we have very good
professional groups, culture groups already here in Wisconsin. And, uh, they, they are very, uh,
much involved with the holiday folk for a year and year out. And, uh, absolutely love the
commitment that they have to pass on those culture values, which gives grounding to individuals,
families, um, young ones and old. My grandmother was born in Poland. And I'm tried to remember the
name of the town. It's not, it's not a big place that she was born in. And I'm trying to remember
the name of it. And I can't, if I see a map, as soon as I see it, I'll know it. But it's, it's not one
of the big cities or in Poland. It's a very small place. She was born in, uh, before moving to America.
Let's talk about the world cafe. Whoa. That looks good. Now, this is where you get a chance,
not to be, uh, an American snob. You get to try other food. I mean, there's other things other
than brats and hot dogs and hamburgers. And you get to experience some of the food to
him around the world. Not everybody eats brats around the world. Let's talk about that.
Well, I do like the brats myself. Yeah, but I do like all the other foods that are there. I try
to sample as much as I can within reason. Um, but we have the, the Afghan, uh, this year we have
Ukraine. Um, there is all the, uh, the Asian foods. And then of course all the, the European
traditional foods, one of the times that we had, we had a theme that was bred for the food.
And the artistry and just the bread making, you know, the tying groups and, and it's almost
sculpture, but you can actually smell it and taste it at the same time as you're looking at it.
All right. Let's talk about how people can get tickets to go now. We are giving away family
four packs this week. But if you don't win those, you can still get tickets and must tell people how to do it.
Well, the best, best place to do it is a folk shirt or you can get your tickets in advance there
with an advanced price. And then of course you can get them at the door as well. Um, but I think
going to folk fur dot org will also give you a chance to preview it in your mind of what you
would like to actually look for. And I think it's part of the fun is to discover what was there
before? What's there again? And then what is it a little bit different from last year with the same
group? You know, and I assume there's different people from the very first one of the 1940s. I
assume we have a whole new bunch of dancers, right? Oh, like you said, we do have people that
have been there participating for like 50 years and then they get put on the wall of honor. And so
that's a really look for some, some really stalwarts people that have committed themselves to
that cultural preservation. And it actually served at Holiday Folkware too as well. Myself,
I've only been doing 12 years. 14 now is two to the years as the president CEO, but for 12 years
operated in the background with the previous CEO. And it's just been wonderful to see
the individuals who are young grow into more adult roles. And then to see the seniors who
just really put a stake in the ground of this is how we do things. So this is the meaning behind
the traditional dress and the meaning behind the art. Well, my ticket is absolutely wonderful.
My ticket winner in the six o'clock hour this morning said great, because I got to do all my
Christmas shopping. And that's where she plans to do it. Bring some bags and some stuff so you
can tow them home. So again, the website is what now? Let's get people to website. Okay,
folkfer.org. And it's a great place to preview and take a look at the information there.
State Fair Park and by the way at large. I just want to say I took a sneak peek at the
weather forecast. Perfect the entire weekend. Awesome. So if you don't have to go
to the snow or anything like that or about it, it's going to be nice. This is I love it. The
holiday folk fair international. The 82nd holiday folk fair international coming to State Fair Park
this weekend. Paul, thanks for spending the half hour with us. I do appreciate it, my friend.
This is you'll learn more when you talk to people about this rather than just reading it.
And I'm glad you had a chance to come on here. Yeah, thank you very much, Paul.