Festival Award Winners Announced

Here are the award winners for this year's International Festival, hosted by the Nationalities Council of Indiana.

Cultural Booths of NCI Group Members are judged in the following four categories:

1. THEME: Include in cultural booth historical, geographical, culinary, social or educational aspects of the particular culture. 2010 theme: Food for Thought - Tradition, Culture and Cuisine.
2. EDUCATIONAL VALUE: Provide relevant information about the culture.
3. CREATIVITY: Demonstrate an effective and enjoyable method to attract visitors.
4. QUALITY: Overall excellence. Examples would be people in native costumes and friendly approach to visitors.

First and second place winners for theme:
Society for Promotion of Persian Culture and Swedish American Order of VASA

First and second place winners for educational value:
Sons of Norway and German Heritage Society

First and second place winners for creativity:
Korean American Women’s Association and Hungarian Club of Indianapolis

First and second place winners for quality:
Camp Mabuhay (Filipino) and Swiss Club of Central Indiana

In addition, the Best Overall Cultural Booth, recipient of “The Betty” trophy for 2010:
Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis

Food Booths of NCI Group Members are evaluated for quality and authenticity of ethnic food, appearance and sanitary conditions and overall assessment.
First Place: Indonesian Association of Indianapolis
Second Place: German American Klub

Finally (but not insignificantly), the NCI's Volunteer Service award (also known as “The Steve” trophy) is presented to the individual(s) who have demonstrated commitment to the goals of NCI and have actively worked toward their achievement. This year, for the first time, three volunteers were honored:
Josef Laposa and Frances Russell (pictured), and Charles Lindgren (deceased).

Mark your calendars for next year's festival, to be held 17-20 November.

(Photo courtesy of Ming Russell)

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The Award Winners are Announced

Awards for the just-completed 2009 International Festival have been announced. First and second place awards are given to Nationalities Council of Indiana member-groups in each of five categories: theme, educational value, creativity, quality and food. In addition, the best overall culture booth received the grand prize trophy, nicknamed "The Betty".

Winners are as follows:

Creativity: 1st - Confucius Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis; 2nd - India Association of Indianapolis.
Educational value: 1st - Indiana Association of Chinese Americans; 2nd - Italian Heritage Society of Indiana.
Quality: 1st - Sons of Norway; 2nd - Scottish Society of Indianapolis.
Theme: 1st - Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis; 2nd - Swiss Club Of Central Indiana.
Food: 1st - Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis; 2nd - German American Klub.
Best Overall Cultural Booth Trophy: Indiana German Heritage Society (pictured).

This year's Volunteer Service award (nicknamed "The Steve") went to Dan and Sophia Anderson.

The outside judges for the awards came from IUPUI.

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International Festival 2008 is History

It's all over for 2008 -- and the award winners have been announced for Indy's International Festival.

First and second place awards are given to cultural booths of Nationalities Council of Indiana Group members. In addition, the best overall culture booth wins "The Betty" trophy for 2008.

1. THEME: Include in cultural booth historical, geographical, culinary, social or educational aspects of the particular culture.
First: Russian-Speaking Students at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis; second: Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis.

2. EDUCATIONAL VALUE: Provide relevant information to visitors about the culture.
First: International Tibet Independence Movement; second: Barangay Club of Indiana.

3. CREATIVITY: Demonstrate an effective and enjoyable method to attract visitors.
First: Scottish Society of Indianapolis; second: Indonesian Community of Indianapolis

4. QUALITY: Overall excellence. Examples would be people in native costumes and friendly approach to visitors.
First: Indiana Okinawa Kenjinkai; second: Swiss Club Of Central Indiana.

The Betty was awarded to Society for Promotion of Persian Culture (see photo).

Food Booths of NCI Group Members are evaluated for 1) quality and authenticity of food and 2) appearance and sanitary conditions of the booth.
First: Taiwanese American Association of Indianapolis; second, German American Klub,

Volunteer Service award (“The Steve”) is presented to the individual who has demonstrated commitment to the goals of NCI and has actively worked toward their achievement. It was awarded to Susan McKee.

Swiss Firm Moves from Bartholomew to Johnson

Inside INdiana Business reports that groundbreaking ceremonies were held yesterday for a new $15 million facility for Georg Utz. Inc. in Johnson County.

They note the Switzerland-based company is relocating operations from Bartholomew County, creating about 40 new jobs by 2011. The company designs and manufactures reusable, plastic storage containers and custom packaging.

Uncork the Fun!

Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first commercial wine vintage in America at the Swiss Wine Festival Thursday through Sunday (21-24 August) in Vevay.

From area wines, twirling batons to culinary delights sizzling on grills, the Swiss Wine Festival each year celebrates -- and salutes -- the cultural heritage of Indiana's Switzerland County.

Now in its 36th year, the four-day event, held on Vevay's riverfront, blends tradition and fun. From opening day on Thursday to closing time Sunday evening, the Swiss Wine Festival caters to all ages and interests. There's a complete schedule here.

Three entertainment stages offer everything from polka music to country. There are riverboat cruises, canoe races, a beer garden and wine pavilion, and fireworks on Saturday night. Keep in mind that if you want to participate (feet-first) in the annual Grape Stomp, you need to forfeit both dignity and shoes.

For more information, check the website, or call 800:435-5688.

It's Swiss Days at Berne This Weekend

Discover Switzerland in Indiana during Swiss Days at Berne 24-26 July.

On the schedule are polka dancing, children's activities, factory tours, quilt show, steintoss, horse pulling contest, craft vendors, sidewalk sales, parade, musical entertainment on the downtown stage and high school auditorium, sports competitions and Swiss foods. (That's the Hank Haller Band in the photo.)

New in 2008: champion yo-yo performer and showcase open to all performing with locally made wooden, Amish yo-yos. Swiss Days Furniture Frenzy back by popular demand for second year with $1,000 grand prize.

More information on the website, or call 260:589-8080.

Swiss Wine Festival in Vevay

From area wines, twirling batons to culinary delights sizzling on grills, the Swiss Wine Festival each year celebrates, as well as salutes, the cultural heritage of Switzerland County, Indiana.

Now in its 36th year, the four-day event, held on Vevay's riverfront, uniquely blends tradition and fun. From opening day on Thursday (23 August) to closing time Sunday evening (26 August), the Swiss Wine Festival caters to all ages and interests.

Swiss Independence Day is August 1!

But members of the Swiss Club of Central Indiana will be celebrating a little early.

They're gathering from 2-6 p.m. tomorrow at the Westfield home of the Honorary Swiss Consul tomorrow for an independence celebration.

If you'd like more information, call 317:217-1645.