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Think globally, party locally
MWC fair features diverse arts and cultures
By JULIE STAVITSKI
Date published: 4/3/2003
THE FREE LANCE-STAR
IN ITS 13TH YEAR, the Mary Washing- ton College Multicultural Fair lives up to its name.
But early on, Connie Smith, professor of English at the college, heard one common complaint.
"[People said] it wasn't multicultural enough," she said. "They only saw black and white."
But from those first fairs with one small stage and a handful of food and craft vendors, the event has become an annual staple of the Fredericksburg community. MWC expects this year's Multicultural Fair, which happens Saturday, to attract between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors, according to Ameeta Vashee, director of the James Farmer Multicultural Center.
On the day of the fair, people wander past table after table filled with handmade jewelry, clothing and other crafts that taunt their wallets.
On one side of the campus walkway, vendors peddle tie-dyed shirts and incense while on the other side, a woman selling African wood carvings regales visitors with stories of her homeland.
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WHAT: 13th annual Multicultural Fair
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine
WHERE Mary Washington College
COST: Free; crafts and food prices vary.
INFO: 540/654-1044
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As the scents of Tex-Mex chimichangas and pad thai noodles mingle, visitors can munch on a variety of foods as cloggers dance, students sing Italian opera and locals fiddle in a bluegrass band.
This year's fair, titled "Differences Enrich Us All," has more than 30 acts slated to perform between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. More than 50 craft and food vendors are expected to attend.
Visitors are drawn to the variety of entertainment throughout the day, Vashee said.
"There aren't many places you can watch performances on three different stages," she said.
As the fair has grown in popularity, each year more and more performers who want to join the event submit tapes for consideration, Vashee said. The fair committee tries to pick acts that are different from those chosen the year before.
"We try to have diversity in performance and look for interactive, upbeat performances," Vashee said.
Date published: 4/3/2003
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