For three days, visitors to Holiday Folk Fair International will be able to travel the world, without leaving the comfort -- and climate control -- of the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park.

With food, cultural information and marketplace booths representing 53 nationalities and ethnic groups, there is plenty to keep people occupied, educated and ... well fed.

But the real attraction is the dancing. Hundreds of performers, spanning all ages wearing beautiful, authentic and oftentimes hand-made traditional outfits will, polka, waltz, kick, spin, jump and twirl during the weekend's performances.

Dance groups have been a part of Folk Fair from its inception, dating all the way back to the days when the event was held in the bowels of the Milwaukee Auditorium.

Before moving to Wisconsin State Fair Park in 1999, the event had a long run at the old MECCA complex and thousands of youngsters experienced the thrill of running onto the darkened arena floor waiting to hear their groups name announced and the lights come on to a full house.

The Arena is no longer the venue, but veteran performers still return, often with children of their own.

For some, it's a family affair. Karen Schmieder is the third generation of her family to be involved with the annual event. She was 5 years old when she performed at the event for the first time, and has been a part of it ever since.

Her grandmother, Catherine Koscak was the fair's general chairman in 1971 and 1972, and was also a longtime volunteer. Her mother, Carol Keidl, was in charge of the adult program for many years, was the dance director for the Milwaukee Donauschwaben and, she too, and served as general chairman, in 1995-96.

Today, Schmieder runs the Young People's Matinee performance on Sunday and the Cultural Awareness Program performance -- involving teenage performers -- on Friday afternoons.

Her husband, Vern, was also long a member of the various Donauschwaben dance groups and participated in many Folk Fair performances. Today, Karen and Vern's daughter, Kaitlin, continue the family tradition -- the fourth generation to participate in the event.

"Folk Fair has been a very big part of my family's life," Schmieder says. "We've made so many friends of many different nationalities because of our involvement in Folk Fair."

One need not stick with his or her own heritage, either.

Despite her obvious Irish roots, Erin O'Donnell has been a member of the Tetra Slovak dancers since she was a youngster.

Growing up, her best friend was a member of the group, which used her grade school cafeteria for weekly rehearsals. It didn't take long for O'Donnell to become hooked.

It was addicting, both her brother and sister joined as well, and today all three are members of the group.

Now 29, O'Donnell has become a seasoned Folk Fair veteran, never missing a day. She still enjoys performing -- she helps choreograph some of the group's performances -- but also cherishes the friendships she's made over the years with members of other groups.

"There are people you consider a really close friend though you may only see them for one weekend out of the year," O'Donnell says. "You see each other at Folk Fair, catch up and pick up where you left off like it was only yesterday when you last saw each other.

"There are also those friendships that you have made that go beyond Folk Fair and you become such good friends that you become one of those important people to invite to the wedding of that dancer or become the support system when that dancer has a family member who has passed away. You become this person who is truly special because you met dancing at the Folk Fair."

If You Go ...

Holiday Folk Fair runs Friday-Sunday at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park.

Ticket: Advance tickets are available at area outlets for $8. Admission is $10 at the door. Children ages 6-12 are $8 at the gate while those under 6 are admitted free, as is anybody with a valid military ID. Seniors pay $8 at the door with ID.

Times: Friday, 2-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Special events: Friday -- Education Day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday -- Naturalization Ceremony, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday -- 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m.; Religious service, 10:30 a.m.; Children's Program, noon. 

Attractions: All Nations Theater -- Traditional music and dance, with a Mexican dance group from Chicago as the featured entertainment; International stage -- Young people performing ethnic dances; Coffee House -- Eat, drink and hear music; Music Pavilion -- Enjoy a variety of musical styles, with special guest Native American flautist Darren Thompson; World Café -- Tempt your taste buds with traditional dishes; Heritage Lane -- Explore unique traditions / customs of diverse cultures through interactive exhibits; International Bazaar -- Cultural artifacts that create a unique shopping experience.