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DAYTON — For some, it's about exotic foods from many lands. For others, it's about lively entertainment and colorful costumes.

But mostly, A World A'Fair is about the variety of people who live in our Miami Valley and the fascinating cultures they represent.

In its 35th year, the Dayton International Festival typically attracts 20,000 men, women and children, including 4,000 volunteers and entertainers. The popular event is scheduled for Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18, at the Dayton Convention Center.

This year's special attraction is Harmonia, a multicultural group of musicians who also have performed at the CityFolk Festival. Members come from several East European countries and perform on authentic folk instruments, with music ranging from the Danube to the Carpathians — Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Croatian and Gypsy.

A cookbook featuring the food of 27 nations will be available at the festival, and there will be demonstrations highlighting recipes from the new book.

Marie Bronius and Johanna Upton, The Netherlands

You can hear them coming from quite a distance — klomp, klomp, klomp in their wooden shoes.

"They mold to your feet and are very comfortable," said Johanna Upton, who enjoys decorating the shoes. "They are made of poplar."

Upton and her sister Marie Bronius, born in Utrecht, Holland, came to America in 1956 and have been involved with A World A'Fair for 34 of its 35 years. Now their grandchildren are involved as well.

They are understandably proud of their Dutch heritage.

"Our tulips are shipped all over the world," Bronius said.

The sisters said they regularly go back to their native land to visit relatives and enjoy taking along younger members of the family.

Their colorful outfits, the most recognizable costume from Holland, come from Volendam and include white lace shawls, aprons, coral necklaces and pointy lace hats.

"Everyone says we look like the flying nun," Upton said.

At the International Festival, folks stand patiently in line to buy their appelflappen, the yummy deep-fried treat made of Granny Smith apples and a secret recipe.

"We make it at New Year's and it's supposed to bring good luck," Bronius said. "If you ever taste it, you'll come back again and again."

Pelagia Benin, Bulgaria

When it comes to cooking traditional Bulgarian delicacies, you won't find anyone more expert than Pelagia Benin.

The 35-year-old woman grew up working alongside her parents in the family's restaurant, a historic inn in Bulgaria originally built in 1820 by an ancestor.

"We serve traditional Bulgarian food there," said Benin, who moved to Dayton when her husband took a teaching job at the University of Dayton.

The beautiful array of food she creates ranges from shopska salad (cucumber, roasted peppers, grated feta cheese) and Kavarma Kebap (pork and egg), to Banitza, which consists of fillo dough, feta cheese, eggs and yogurt.

The Oakwood mom, who moved to America 11 years ago and to the Dayton area seven years ago, became involved with A World A'Fair after reading about the local South Slavic club in the newspaper.

Now her husband and their two children, ages 10 and 7, frequently enjoy the club's camaraderie, the dancing and the chance to be a part of World A'Fair.

"It's a wonderful place to meet people from other cultures and to keep our own traditions alive," Pelagia said.

Peter and Mary Woo, Korea

Like father, like daughter — at least when it comes to active involvement in A World A'Fair.

Dad Peter Woo is the treasurer of the sponsoring Dayton International Festival Inc., and his daughter, Mary, is youth group chairwoman and was last year's Miss World A'Fair.

"Many people forget about their heritage," said Mary Woo, a junior at Centerville High School. "I enjoy learning about my Korean culture. It's very interesting."

With 10 Korean churches in the area, Peter Woo said the weekend festival marks the only time all of those churches work together to plan a community event.

Father and daughter said they are excited about the new Passports that will be distributed to children at the festival this year. As they make their way from country to country, children will receive a stamp and be eligible for prizes.

"The world is getting smaller and smaller," Mary Woo said.

Instead of hearing only about world wars and conflicts, she said visitors to A World A'Fair learn interesting facts about each culture and its people.

"Originally everyone but the Native American was an immigrant to this country," Peter Woo said.

"Once you understand your roots, your

foundation is solid. A ticket to A World A'Fair is like an airplane ticket to the whole world."

British Calloway, 2008 Miss World A'Fair, Panama

Swirling in her brightly colored Conga costume, British Calloway said she is proud to represent Dayton's international festival.

As Miss World A'Fair 2008, she'll host the Junior Miss World A'Fair pageant, and — along with honorary chairman Patrick Hughes from the Miami Valley African Organization and Uncle Sam — will lead the festive parade of nations at the opening ceremonies at each day's festival (at 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday).

British, who grew up in the United States and attends Dayton Early College Academy, became interested in World A'Fair as a youngster through a friend of her mother, who is from Panama.

"I've been performing since I was 7 or 8," said the 15-year-old, who said she especially enjoys dancing on the informal stage where audience members are invited to join in. "It's important to know about cultures other than our own," British said. "And it's fun. I could never picture myself not going to A World A'Fair."

How to go

What: A World A'Fair, "Dining Around the World"

When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St.

Featuring: Food, dance, music, costumes and cultural exhibits from 27 backgrounds

Tickets: $5 for adults and seniors in advance, $7 for adults at the door, $5 for seniors. Youths ages 6-18 are $3 in advance, $4 at the door. Active members of the military including National Guard are free with ID. Tickets may be purchased in advance at AAA offices, La Llama Place in Yellow Springs, Kroger stores and Siebenthaler Garden Centers at 2074 Beaver Valley Road in Beavercreek and 6000 Far Hills Ave. in Centerville.

> Find more 'how to go' info on this year's World A'Fair

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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