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World Folkfest is dancing once more
Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 7, 2008 by Sharon Haddock Deseret News
SPRINGVILLE -- Last summer, when the board members, volunteer staff and hosts realized the annual World Folkfest was going to be canceled, there was a collective sigh.
Admittedly, some sighed in relief because pulling the weeklong event together "is an insane amount of work," said Christie Babbitt, public relations spokeswoman.
But most were sad sighs.
The folkfest not only brings dozens of dancers from foreign countries to Springville, but the opportunity to make new friends, learn new things about different cultures and make priceless memories.
"My child was devastated," said Babbitt. "The folkfest has been part of our life for 20 years. She knows that's what we do in July."
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Teddy Anderson has been with the folkfest since the beginning. She said it became impossible to get performer visas through both the Immigration and Naturalization Services and Homeland Security.
"It was just too difficult, and there was not enough time by the time we found out about the problems," Anderson said. "Homeland Security was asking questions of us that were very difficult. Everything had to go to both offices, and the Homeland Security people didn't know what to do with us."
Currently, the offices of Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, are working on streamlining the process. Anderson has been invited to go back to Washington to speak to top officials and lobby for assistance.
"There are several really good festivals in the area, in Rexburg, Idaho, and in Bountiful. If the groups coming in could perform at all of them, it makes it worth their time to come but we're all having the same problem," said Anderson.
In the meantime, the festival is moving ahead by inviting foreign dance teams and groups who live in Canada or in a European country that's easy to work with.
Morning Star from Orem is booked, as are two Canadian groups who are descendents of Polish and Scottish dancers.
In addition, a Ukrainian group from Canada is on board.
Anderson said cost is not so much a problem as visas, particularly with the U.S. dollar worth less in the European market right now.
"That works in our favor," Anderson said.
Babbitt said up to 14 groups have come in the past. She expects a half dozen this year and last-minute entries are welcome.
"If we found out a week before the fest that a group could come, we would take them," Babbitt said.
The groups do a variety of dances throughout the week so every night is a different show, she said.
Groups from foreign nations are picked up at the airport, housed and fed during the week and returned to the airport, said Babbitt. A typical group has 20-30 dancers so it takes between 10-15 families per group to host them.
Over the years, strong bonds have been forged between performers and host families, she said, with some keeping in permanent contact.
Nearly 10,000 people attend the evening shows and events.
"The last night tends to be the most popular because people know the groups save their extra special numbers for the last night," Babbitt said.
"It was a huge disappointment to have to cancel the Folkfest last year, but the board is thrilled to let the public know that the festival will be returning to Springville in 2008," said Martin Conover, chairman of the Springville World Folkfest board of directors. "This event has become a tradition in Springville that we hope will continue for many more years."
If you go:
What: 21st Springville World Folkfest
Where: Arts Park, 620 W. 1350 East, Springville
When: 8 p.m. evening performances, July 12-19; street dance July 16 (museum parking lot)
Cost: $8/$7 seniors, $3 children (12-under), available at the gate
Phone: 489-1067
Web: www.worldfolkfest.com
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com
Copyright C 2008 Deseret News Publishing Co.
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