Photo Provided Hundreds of people turn out to learn about New Year’s traditions around the world and sample native fare during the 18th annual International Culture Fair at Buckeye Local High School. About 40 countries were represented and events included displays, food tasting, music, dancing, children’s activities and more with proceeds benefitting the BLHS Foreign Language Club. Organizers said this was possibly the largest turnout to date and plans are already in the works for 2024.

CONNORVILLE — Buckeye Local High School and community members celebrated the new year around the world during the 18th annual International Culture Fair on Jan. 25.

The BLHS Foreign Language Club turned back the clock a bit to showcase global traditions with displays, music and dancing and a fundraising food tasting to benefit the student organization. Hundreds of people turned out for the event, which was themed “In the Midnight Hour,” and some even donned festive fashions for the occasion. They learned about nearly 40 countries from Argentina to Zimbabwe while children’s activities and a 50-50 raffle were also held in the school commons, followed by musical and dance performances and a Parade of Nations in the theatre.

Additionally, live music was provided by accordionist Jason Garczyk. Admission was free but attendants could purchase tickets for 25 cents each for the food tasting and sample everything from Scottish shortbread to Swedish meatballs.

Bonnie Soos, who co-advises the club with Savana Granat, was amazed by the crowd and said it was possibly the largest in the event’s nearly two-decade history.

“It’s unbelievable. I think this is the largest crowd in our 18 years,” Soos added. “I presented the idea (to do a New Year’s theme) and we took and it ran with it. The members select the country they want to represent and research their traditions and basic information such as geography and history. I’m amazed by how it’s turned out. We had people come (an hour early) … and it was wonderful.”

The teens also prepared the food from their representative nation and some dressed in costume while others wore more formal attire to match the holiday theme. Soos said 36 countries were exhibited with the newest being Zimbabwe.

Among the countries exhibited were the United States by Elizabeth Stock, Melina Monogioudis and Brynn McKeever; Canada by Cai McKeever and Ava Zelek; Mexico by Lydia Boyd and Keira Panepucci; Cuba by Hana Summers and Maddie Zeroski; Jamaica by Allison Jarrell, Remy Badia and Braelyn Knox; The Bahamas by Noah Jock and Adam Blackwell; Puerto Rico by Nyja Short; Colombia by Madison Roset and Avah Williams; Argentina by Anne Vargo and Tatum Walker; Brazil by Hayleigh Carlier and McKenna Halicky; Ireland by McKenna Dutton, Riley Angel and Sierra Cominsky; Scotland by Carly Long and Kaydence Kinyo; United Kingdom by Sydney Snyder, Melissa Smith and Lena Anderson; Portugal by Robert Carpenter and Kylie Stewart; Spain by Haydn Boyce, Adison Muldrew and Alex McDiffitt; France by Emily McDiffitt and Abbey Berze; Switzerland by Autumn Wharton, Addyson Bonomo and Lizzie Bolock; Austria by Bella Russell and Sammi Westfall; Germany by Lexi Burress and Lexie Leach; Italy by Julia Orban and Arielle Orban; Romania by Savannah Bookman and Shayla Ralston; Serbia by Jesse Vitek and Josey Meddles; Norway by Alyssa Dailey and Koltn Roush; Sweden by Hailey Kovalski, Harmony Woodland and Addison Jones; the Czech Republic by Desiree Ruzek; Poland by Olivia Kovalski and Maddie Wilt;

Ukraine by Hannah Langsdorf, Haley Langsdorf and Lyndsee Malechowski; Hungary by Allison Emfield and Madison Palmer; Greece by Addie Erwin, Emma McHugh and Kaitlynn Merkel; China by Pacey Hill, Cassie Burkhead and Jasmine Yohe; Thailand by Brooke Kovalski, Kylie Watt and Jack Newell; South Korea by Megan Burrier and Thomas Beranek; Japan by Sydnee Yanok, Abigail Meeker and Kierra Starcher; Zimbabwe by Austin Blake; and Australia by Andrew Devore.

Sophomores Megan Burrier and Thomas Beranek added a personal touch to their South Korea exhibit: native Dongyeon “Jake” Kim, a family friend who provided his dog tags and jacket from his stint in the South Korean Army and was on hand to take queries from the public about his homeland. In addition, Burrier and Beranek had Korean Milkis, which is a type of sodapop, plus Squid Game cookies and Korean potatoes, as well as items tied to the Chinese New Year that all Asian countries celebrate. She said 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit.

“I thought it was a cool country,” Burrier said. “On their actual traditional day, the women come out and sing traditional songs, hold hands and walk around town.”

Seniors Carly Long and Kaydence Kinyo selected Scotland as their country, and Long said she had family ties since her grandmother hailed from the Highlands. Their display included photos, British currency, memorabilia and shortbread.

“In Scotland, they call New Year’s ‘Hogmanay,’ and they take ashes from the fire and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ Robert Burns wrote the song and is from there,” Long commented.

Freshmen Robert Carpenter and Kylie Stewart chose Portugal and provided biscuits and icing and rice pudding.

“They have a superstition where they keep money in their pocket, wallet and shoes for New Year’s” for good luck,

said Carpenter.

Meanwhile, Soos was beyond thrilled with the efforts of the 112 club members, which she said was among the largest numbers to date.

“I’m so proud of our members,” she said.

All of the proceeds fund field trips and other cultural events and she noted that plans for the 2024 fair were already in the works.