http://www.spiffs.org/press.html

St. Petersburg, March 14-18, 2007 If you’ve ever dreamed of going around the world but think you may not get to it, you’ll soon have a chance to do it in a single day.

From March 14-18, St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, Inc. (SPIFFS) and its ethnic member groups will present the Annual Folk Festival at the Vinoy Park on St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront, transforming it into a microcosm of the world. The 32nd Annual Folk Fair is the highlight of year-round preparations.

Ethnic villages will capture the flavor of each country. Costumed villagers demonstrate time-honored hand craftsmanship and prepare ethnic food specialties for visitors. You’ll have a chance to chat informally with people who know the country. It’s an opportunity to brush up on a foreign language, recapture memories of a past visit and get first-hand information for that trip you’ve been planning. Eat your way around the world as you move from village to village sampling a variety of homemade ethnic dishes prepared before your eyes.

Folk dancing and folk music will be performed throughout the weekend. Country Western, Salsa/Merenge and Dance Lessons, Caribbean music and dance, exciting Polynesian Fire dancers, Belly Dancers & Asian performers.

Be sure not to miss the spectacular Grand Opening Ceremonies at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 17, when members of the many SPIFFS ethnic groups will parade around the park, led by colorful Bands, Pipers & African Drummers. SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMERS from Toronto, Canada, “Stefura” The Ukrainian Academy of Dance. Come and see their exciting performance on Saturday March 17 @ 12pm – 12:40pm.

SPIFFS is Tampa Bay’s own United Nations and the only independent non-profit, multi-cultural membership owned organization in the country.