Travelers Go ‘Round the World in One Day

Have you ever heard of fairy bread?

What is couscous and where is it eaten?

The answers to these questions and many more were revealed at the 2011 World Fair, held at in Fenton on Saturday.

Hundreds of people of all ages attended the fourth annual event, aimed at educating students, parents and the community about the cultures and customs of countries around the world.

is an International Baccalaureate district, giving students a world renowned education they will be able to utilize as members of a global society.

Visitors were able to visit classrooms featuring 10 countries, which included Costa Rica, Jamaica, New Zealand, Ireland, Hungary, Morocco, Columbia, Poland, The Netherlands and the United States.

Each classroom, identified with the appropriate flag, was decorated to portray what one might see in each one of these countries, including clothing worn by the people, as well as plants, trees, fruits and vegetables, and animals native to those countries.

Videos highlighting cultures and customs were played in many of the country classrooms, and samples of foods from those countries were available for the tasting.

Children also were able to participate in some of the activities and games played in different countries.

One visitor, Orpha Verhelle of Fenton, tried a tasty treat from each country. She sampled pierogi’s from Poland, couscous, a mashed pasta dish popular in Morocco, chicken paprikash from Hungary, tropical smoothies in Jamaica, and coffee and fried bananas in Columbia to name a few.

In New Zealand, she tried the fairy bread, which consists of buttered, sliced bread with candy sprinkles on top. Fairy bread a traditional birthday treat for children in New Zealand.

In the Ireland room, visitors were able to kiss the Blarney Stone and enjoy a spirited Highland dance, performance by Powers Catholic High School student, Jordyn Sporly.

When asked what he was doing with the pot of dirt, senior Nick Jones said, “Planting shamrocks, of course.”

According to Jennifer Koester, who has coordinated the World Fair event for the past four years with Jennifer Horton and Missy Rosebach-Taylor, monies raised from entry fees and raffles, benefit the , which is instrumental in funding the IB program in Fenton schools.

Prior to Saturday’s event, $10,000 has been raised for the effort.

“It’s not so much about making money,” said Kali, a parent volunteering with her daughter, Charley Holcomb, a second-grader, in the Jamaica room. “It’s more about raising awareness about the IB program and teaching children that we belong to a society that expands beyond the United States.”

Visitors also were treated to an art display by Ten Thousand Villages, an organization committed to working with artisans around the world who are economically and socially disadvantaged. Many of them are able to improve their social status and own quality of life by using the income they earn creating handmade gifts. Some of their works of art were displayed and for sale on Saturday.

According to Polly Sheppard, “Ten Thousand Villages has been around since the 1940’s. We’re hoping to open a shop in Dibbleville in the near future.”

The shop will be called the Fair Trade Project. 

Baskets raffled at the event were filled with goodies donated by area merchants. Decorations in the different country classrooms and food items, also were donated by Fenton area restaurants. Many volunteers help to make the World Fair a successful event.