Buckeye Local Culture Fair attracts a crowd

CONNORVILLE -- Crowds gathered to get a taste of food and facts from around the world during the 17th-annual International Culture Fair held Feb. 24.

Several hundred people commenced upon Buckeye Local High School's commons area to view displays and sample dishes from Argentina to the United States as part of the foreign language club's traditional fete.

This year's theme of "Repainting the Past" drew upon famous artwork from various nations, and Amanda Gruber's art students created renderings from "Mona Lisa" to Vincent van Gogh's self-portrait for display at the entry.

From there, attendants traveled through the commons area to learn about 31 countries and try dishes such as spanakopita from Greece, sushi from Japan and haluski from Poland.

Club co-adviser Bonnie Soos, who shares duties with fellow foreign language teacher Savana Granat, said it was a resounding success and thanked everyone involved for making it so.

"This was the largest crowd yet, and I was completely amazed," she said. "The fair went perfectly, the displays were beautiful, the food was delicious and the theatrical performances were outstanding. There are no words to express how proud I am of my kids."

She added that it was the first time the club collaborated with Gruber's students, and they did "a fantastic job" with the art display, while each piece represented one of the 31 countries highlighted at the fair. Soos said the group has collaborated with music teacher Bill Stephens in the past and the choir has always "done wonderfully."

Among the countries represented were the United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Spain, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Russia, China, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and Australia. Presenters created posterboard displays with details about each of their country's histories, plus they sampled fare they prepared in keeping with their chosen theme.

Attendants bought tickets for 25 cents each to purchase a dish and also enjoyed the sounds of musician Jeff Gadzik, who provided some accordion tunes for the event. A small tribute was paid to accordionist and longtime supporter Rick Pastre, who recently died. Additionally, childrens' activities were offered with a "stamped passport" to visit each location and there was a 50-50 drawing.

More live music and dance followed in the theater with performances of Latin dances such as the Cha Cha, Tarantella, Agurra and Cumbia, Spanish music such as "Perdon," "Ave Verum Corpus" and "El Mismo Sol," a Hebrew song by the high school choir and a violin solo of "Concerto in A Minor." Club members conducted a Parade of Nations and announced awards, the 50-50 winner and participants.

Several student exhibitors said the fair was a fun take on learning about the world.

"I think it's interesting," said Julia Orban, who chose Sweden as her theme. "It has pretty lakes and a nice culture, and I like the Swedish language."

Hester Lambright, who acts as co-president of the Foreign Language Club with Brooklyn Lengyel, didn't have to go far to select her country of yhe Netherlands. It's literally in her blood.

"Hester's family is from there," said Lengyel, while Lambright noted that "tons of famous painters" dwelled in her homeland, from van Gogh to Johannes Vermeer.

This was the first time a public event was held in two years since COVID sidetracked schools and the club created a video presentation for their celebration last year.