16th Annual Ethnic Fest

Ethnic Fest Calandar of Events

Saturday September 13, 2008

 

 

Scoil na d 'Tri.

These energetic young dancers, all from the Twin Cities area, have captivated audiences at 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 Ethnic Fests. They will also perform Saturday afternoon at a downtown stage.

Saturday's Parade

September 13, 2008

Walker will be filled with sights, sounds and smells evoking cultures from around the globe Saturday, starting with the lively Ethnic Fest Parade at 11 a. m.

Watch the exciting Ethnic groups parade down Minnesota Ave in the heart of Walker.

Parade Grand Marshal's

Pat & Wayne Kastning

Entertainers for 2008 Ethnic Fest

Czeck-Slovak Dancers

Performers and artists include past favorites and new groups appearing downtown and in the Ethnic Fest Parade.

Conga Se Menne, five crazy "Yoopers" from Marquette Mich., will be back for Saturday night's street dance, mixing hot salsa with a Finnish sauna to give a Finnish flavor to their Reggae, rock, blues, and Caribbean music.

The Sloughgrass Family Singers

The Sloughgrass Family Singers of Birchdale Minnesota will play and sing Scandinavian, Danish, old-time, bluegrass and gospel melodies.

Making there first appearance at the 15th Annual Ethnic Fest will be a refreshing delight to our guests.

 

New to the 2007 Ethnic Fest will be the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Dancers, who bring their colorful fold dress, energetic dance steps and captivating music.

 

After several years' absence the Winnipeg Bag Pipe Band will return to Ethnic Fest due to popular demand.

 

Also back are the Great Anishinaabe Nation Drum and Dance Corps, featuring American Indian dancers and drummers from northern Minnesota, performing in authentic regalia.

The group Ingapirca, a familiar name from past Fests will play the haunting strains of Andean folk music and contemporary tunes on traditional instruments. They will be located on the courthouse lawn, near the food court.

Alphornists

Vicky Wheeler and Becky Jyrkas bring the Rocky Mountain Alphorn Duo to Walker. The two will stroll throughout downtown Walker, stopping to show visitors their alphorns and to play several musical numbers.

Story-teller

Wanda Ulseth of Timber Ridge Tales will enthrall listeners young and old with stories from many ethnic traditions at the children's area near the Chamber of Commerce.

Face Painter

A face-painter also will be there to adorn the hands, faces and maybe even legs of children & maybe even some of the grown up kids.

Viking re-enactment

Something really special, different & new. A group of Viking Reenactors will set up camp on the courthouse lawn. Warning: you may want to approach this rowdy crew at your own risk!!

Tae-Kwan-Do

This talented group from the Walker's School of Tae-Kwan-Do will be on hand demonstrating their martial arts skills on the Courthouse lawn.

Saturday Street Dance

Saturday night's street dance starts at 8 P.M. on Fifth Street near Cafe' Zona Rosa, with Conga Se Menne as the featured band. Come party and Dance the evening away to some fantastic music.

Food Court

The Food Court will again be located on the courthouse lawn, with vendors serving both Ethnic and American Fare.

Local Restaurants

Many local restaurants will feature Ethnic specialties Friday and Saturday.

Craft Vendor's

Fifth Street in downtown Walker will be blocked off to accommodate vendors who will bring clothes, household items, arts, crafts, toys, jewelry and other merchandise from around the world.

When and Where

Ethnic Fest artists will perform Saturday at stages in the downtown area, on the courthouse lawn, and at a special children's area in the rock garden near the Chamber of Commerce.

Performance sites and times will be announced soon.