Want to go?
WHAT: The 43rd annual A World A’Fair
WHERE: The Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton
WHEN: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
COST: $8 adults, $5 seniors, $4 youth 6-18, free for active military with ID
MORE INFO: www.aworldafair.org
It’s possible to visit more than 31 countries in a matter of several hours, sampling the cuisine and enjoying authentic cultural experiences. It’s all at this year’s A World A’Fair.
The three-day festival is in its 43rd year. Here are seven things to know:
1. It's the largest event in downtown Dayton: "With some of our new ticketing, we're expecting about 40,000," said A World A'Fair president Rosetta Schaffner. "We want to see it grow every year."
Last year 31,400 people attended, and that was a record. That also makes it the largest multicultural event in all of Ohio. “We believe it’s the largest in the Midwest,” Schaffner said.
This year’s event is adding a couple new countries. Sudan is participating as its own organization this year. In the past, it’s been part of the Miami Valley African Organization. This year, it will have its own booth. Also, Ukraine is back, after having dropped out of the event several years ago.
2. This year's theme is Going to the Marketplace: "People wanted to represent what the various marketplaces are like in their countries," Schaffner said. The United States booth will look like an old-fashioned general store. Germany's booth will be about Kris Kringle. Every booth will be decorated differently.
3. The Friday night event offers a special beer passport: "For $10, you can purchase a beer passport that includes getting a 2-ounce sample of beer from 12 different organizations," Schaffner said. "It allows people to sample beers they normally wouldn't experience." Yes, beer comes from the Philippines, Japan and Scotland, for example. "For the last three years, Scotland has had one the best beer contests," Schaffner said.
Vote for your favorite beer and be put in a drawing for a prize basket.
4. There's a passport for children, too: "When they enter the festival, every child is given a passport," Schaffner said. There are 31 questions on the passport to correspond to the 31 participating organizations. Collect all 31 stamps and be entered for a basket of international toys.
5. Visitors can also adopt a pet: The Humane Society of Greater Dayton is partnering with A World A'Fair this year. "They are having a pet adoption in the lobby," Schaffner said.
6. There's also a health fair: "We're also having our health fair with Kettering Health Network," Schaffner said. Visitors can get free health screenings to check blood pressure, body mass index, diabetes and heart health. A couple physicians will be on hand to answer questions.
7. A naturalization ceremony will be held on Saturday of the festival: "More than 50 immigrants will become citizens. It becomes a very moving experience," Schaffner said. "And everyone from the festival is invited to attend. It highlights that Dayton is an immigrant-friendly city."
There’s so much, the food and the entertainment,” Schaffner said. “But what I like is just seeing how happy everyone is. I enjoy interacting with the attendees. And seeing their smiles. It’s heartwarming. It’s why I keep doing this.”
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