For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — The colorful tradition of the Marshfield Cultural Fair continues on Feb. 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County campus at 2000 West 5^th Street. It is a free admission and open to the public event.

For fourteen years, Marshfield  Cultural Fair performances and presentations have given Central Wisconsin residents a warm spark of experience in the sights, sounds, and tastes of  world cultures. This year, the entertainment of the Pacific Islands will be presented by the Hale O Malo Polynesian Revue with authentic songs, costumes and dances of Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

To highlight the folk music of the Caribbean and parts of Africa, the Goongoo Peas duet incorporate percussion and wind instruments within their interactive performance. Goongoo Peas are named after a tropical perennial green pea that comes in a variety of colors—indicating the multiple cultures of the Caribbean within their program.

Prazna Flasa is a Balkan band from the Milwaukee area that performs a southeastern-European type music. The group includes numerous types of tambura instruments  which they feature at multiple regional presentations, including the Smithsonian Institute’s Folk Festival and the musical score for the movie “Four Friends”.

Joining these performers with be Janelle’s Irish Dance group, Ecuadorian music, country line-dancing, the Main Street Conservatory of Dance,  Indian Shama Dance, Ki Nagare Dojo (martial arts demonstration) and Hoocak Performers. Native American storytelling will be part of the new Children’s’ activity area, and there will a variety of ethnic foods, displays, and vendors to enjoy.

The Marshfield Cultural Fair started 14 years ago with the hope of building bridges in our community.