From Albanian folk music and Korean sword demonstrations to Vietnamese dragon dances and authentic Chinese dishes, the 50th annual SPIFFS International Folk Fair promises a trip around the world without leaving Pinellas County.

The fair, presented by the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, runs March 5-7 at England Brothers Park, 5010 81st Ave. N. in Pinellas Park. March 5 is reserved for elementary and middle school students, March 6 for middle and high school students, and March 7 is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The organization was founded in 1975 and this year’s fair marks its golden anniversary.

“SPIFFS is a unique, independent nonprofit in St. Pete that promotes multiculturalism through its annual Folk Fair and community events,” said JoEllen Schilke, the organization’s executive director and host of WMNF’s “Art In Your Ear.” “We unite 25-plus ethnic groups to showcase international food, dance and crafts.”

A half-century of cultural celebration

SPIFFS is the only independent multi-ethnic organization of its kind in the United States, according to its organizers. It was founded in 1975 by Bethia Caffery, a writer for the Evening Independent, who wanted to spotlight the area’s often-overlooked cultural diversity.

Caffery created the organization as an umbrella group to foster cultural awareness and tolerance, often described as the “United Nations of St. Petersburg.” The first major fair in 1976 at the Bayfront Center drew such a crowd that the fire marshal had to close the doors.

Over the decades, the fair has been held at locations including the former ThunderDome, now Tropicana Field, and Vinoy Park. Originally a March event, it shifted to October before returning to spring in 2024 — both to avoid hurricane season and to coincide with the influx of seasonal visitors. The fair moved to Pinellas Park last year.

Schilke said the organization’s mission has only grown more relevant with time.

“Fifty years later, there are so many different ethnic groups now calling Tampa Bay home,” she said. “Did you know English is the most spoken language here, second is Spanish, and third is Vietnamese? There are all these different cultures, restaurants and people, and we want to celebrate them.”

The fair’s origins were rooted partly in a desire to counter prejudice. Following the Vietnam War, an influx of Hmong, Laotian and Vietnamese immigrants to the area drew backlash, Schilke said.

“Our founders had the idea of celebrating the cultures in an event rather than demonize them, with more groups joining every year,” she said. “New to the fair this year is Senegal, and France returns to the cultural melting pot.”

What to expect

The public day on March 7 features cultural villages, artisan markets, two performance stages, martial arts demonstrations, bilingual storytelling, parades, games, international beer and food from around the globe.

Performances on the Main Stage include Albanian music, Italian accordion, a Mongolian cultural performance, German dancers, Scottish country dancers, Master Lee Korean Champion Tae Kwon Do, the Serbian Pearl Dance ensemble, Russian musical traditions, the Scariff School of Irish Dance, Bulgarian dancers and the Mighty Midtown Miracles, described as a fan favorite.

The Parade of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. on the Main Stage with the national anthem, followed by performances from the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans, St. Petersburg Ukrainian performers, Japanese Peaceful Forest, VICAS Indian performance group, a Panamanian performance and the Vietnamese Dragon Dance.

In the Field Demonstration area, the Gulfport Gecko Amalgamated Marching Band, bagpiper Finn Kellam and the American Legion color guard will perform.

“The big finale Saturday is the Vietnamese Lion Dance,” Schilke said. “From the food to the costumes, this is a great experience to travel the world in one day. Come and open your eyes and your heart, fill your tummy and your ears with delightful, wonderful things.”

Global flavors, family prices

Food is a centerpiece of the fair, with each vendor representing a different cultural tradition. Schilke said the organizers have worked to keep prices affordable.

“The Irish and the Scottish will have two different types of scones. The Indian food is insanely good. The Chinese food is so real — like people’s grandmas making the food the way that they eat it, not the way that restaurants make it,” she said. “Every food purveyor is truly authentic, like having 25 different family meals.”

Growing membership

SPIFFS’ member organizations represent dozens of cultures from every continent. Member groups include BESA Tampa Bay (Albania), the Bulgarian Learning Center “Rodina,” the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans, the Filipino-American Club of Pinellas County, the German American Friendship Society of Pinellas, the Florida Hmong Community, Volunteers of Indian Culture and Arts, Suncoast Irish & Gaelic Heritage, Jamaica Carifesta, the Japan-America Society of Tampa Bay, Mexico Vivo, the Mongolian American Cultural Organization, the Russian Heritage group, the Scottish Cultural Society of St. Petersburg, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, the Taiwanese American Cultural Organization, the Thai Association of Tampa Bay, the Ukrainian American Association and the Vietnamese-American Association of St. Petersburg, among others.

Many member groups have dance troupes available to perform at community events throughout the year, Schilke said.

Sister Cities program

Beyond the annual fair, SPIFFS oversees St. Petersburg’s Sister Cities program. St. Petersburg and Takamatsu, Japan, became sister cities in 1961, exchanging student ambassadors, city workers and softball teams over the years. In 2016, then-Mayor Rick Kriseman signed an agreement making Isla Mujeres, Mexico, the city’s second sister city. The relationship grew out of ties forged through the annual Regata del Sol al Sol yacht race, which both cities hosted for more than 50 years. St. Petersburg also maintains Friendship City relationships with Figueres, Spain, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

As part of its sister city relationship with Takamatsu, St. Petersburg selects a few rising high school juniors each year to serve as student ambassadors during a summer cultural exchange. Students stay with Japanese host families, visit landmarks and share cultural experiences. In return, high school students from Takamatsu visit St. Petersburg for similar exchanges.

Applications for the Takamatsu Student Exchange are now open. Candidates must live in St. Petersburg and be in their junior year of high school. Applications are available at form.jotform.com/250064895571059.