Culture, cuisine to highlight annual International Fair April 16

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A “mini United Nations” is coming to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community.

Hundreds of people from the base and public are invited to gather April 16 in celebration of the annual International Fair to get a taste of the cultures, crafts, clothing, folklore and cuisine of many of the base’s partner nations.

The popular fair will be hosted by the International Spouses’ Group and many of the foreign liaison officers stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB, and held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Drive, Fairborn. Cost is $12 cash at the door.

Ticket proceeds benefit the International Spouses’ Group and its scholarship fund to assist a military foreign dependent graduating from a local high school or a foreign spouse associated with the base who wishes to study at any U.S. higher education facility.

Eighteen countries, including newcomers Cuba, Nigeria and Latvia, will present their cuisine this year. Dances and cultural performances from a number of countries are scheduled to begin at noon.

“Patrons will feel as they are traveling around the world in two hours with the convenience of the countries coming to their doorstep,” said Inma Kusnierek, one of the event’s ISG organizers. “It is a cultural learning experience and exposure to the foreign military officers and spouses who work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.”

The International Spouses’ Group was established about 40 years ago to welcome and assist foreign members with adapting to the community and U.S. culture while being away from their homelands.

Kusnierek may be reached at ikusnierek@aol.com.