• St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society

  Written by Connie Langhorst 1 Comment
  Last Updated: May 16, 2010

  

  St. Petersburg International Folk Fair
  Society

  Third Annual Asian Pacific Rim Festival

  England Brothers Band Shell

  5121 81st Ave. N., Pinellas Park (FL)

  The St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) hosted the Third Annual Asian Pacific Rim Festival on May 15-16, 2010, in Pinellas Park, a vibrant community in Pinellas County (FL).  The event featured a ceremonial dragon dance, ethnic cuisine, arts, crafts, fashion shows, martial arts demonstrations, live entertainment, and an Asian beer garden.  The event was free and open to the general public (although there was a charge for food and beverages).

  If you missed the Festival, don’t fret!  SPIFFS plans to host a November Folk Fair in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of St. Petersburg’s waterfront parks!

  The General Assembly of the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society plans to host the Thirty-Sixth Annual SPIFFS Folk Fair as a part of the special celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Petersburg’s waterfront parks. On November 3, 4, and 5, the Folk Fair will be open for students from schools in the Tampa Bay area, and on Saturday, November 6, it will be open to the general public. The Folk Fair has been staged on or near Tampa Bay for most of its history, first in the Bayfront Center, and more recently at Vinoy Park and Albert Whitted Park.

  SPIFFS is the only independent multi-ethnic organization of its kind in the United States and has been named as a local legacy by the Library of Congress.

  Another Gem of Pinellas County . . . in Paradise Found!

  Services offered by SPIFFS members:

  Speakers Bureau
  Folk Artists and ethnic resource volunteers visit schools and other community venues to discuss the heritage of their ethnic group, share their music, dance, arts and crafts, and sometimes demonstrate ethnic food specialties.

  Language Bank
  More than 100 individuals handling over 30 different languages and dialects serve as translators and interpreters for the community in courts, hospitals and schools, and assist local city and county officials with translations for visiting dignitaries.

  Traveling Ethnic Suitcases
  Contain books, videos, music tapes, artifacts, toys and information on the geography, history, arts and culture for students and teachers to explore.

  Folk Dance Groups
  Many members have dance groups which are available to perform throughout the community.

  For more information about SPIFFS or to become a member, visit their website at www.SPIFFS.org.

  St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS)
  330 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701
  Telephone: (727) 552-1896

  The following pictures from past SPIFFS events are truly worth 1,000 words (and then some).  Enjoy!

  CREDITS: Photos from past SPIFFS events and press release information courtesy of the St. Petersburg International Folk Festival Society website.  www.SPIFFS.org.

1 Comment

1. #1 Chris O'Connor says:
   May 18th, 2012 at 9:39 am

   Looks like we just missed the May “Third Annual Asian Pacific Rim Festival.” My wife and I would have loved to attend this. I’ll bookmark the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society web site and aim to attend the Nov. event. Thanks for this info. There are so many cool things to in the Tampa Bay area.

   Reply