World’s Fare looks to celebrate IU cultural diversity

Twenty-one international student organizations will showcase distinctive cultural displays, performances and food at the fourth annual IU World’s Fare.

The event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Alumni Hall of the Indiana Memorial Union.

The celebration is being put on in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and Education’s International Education Week.

Sandy Britton, director of the Leo R. Dowling International Center, said she has been working to coordinate this year’s fare since the beginning of the semester. She said the World’s Fare tries to bring as many people together as possible to celebrate different cultures.

“A lot of departments at IU have their own celebrations regarding the International Education Week,” Britton said. “By having the World’s Fare on campus, our office is trying to let people come to celebrate the diversity at IU while enjoying the food and performance.”

Admission to the event is free with a student ID, and eight food options will be available. Judges will rank and award the three best cultural displays, as well as the following performances.

Britton said as many as 1,800 people have attended the fare each year, but she said she expects the number to rise.

— Kevin Wang