Find cultural variety at Grange building

The fair’s international exhibit might disappear soon — if the next generation does not take action.

By LAUREN POLINSKY

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CANFIELD — Fair visitors a can take a walk through their family history inside the Grange International building at the Canfield Fair.

There are 22 countries represented inside, as well as a United Nations booth. But the history lesson does not stop there.

Just outside the building is a stage where 38 international acts will perform. Spectators can dance to the German Saxon Club orchestra or join Lana’s belly dancers, of Lana’s Dance Studio in Canfield, on stage.

“The great thing about this place is that you can talk about your family and learn about other countries,” said Jim Sexinger, international program director.

Sexinger describes his ethnic background as Heinz 57 varieties — but said he used to run the Japanese fair booth back in the 1970s because his wife was Japanese.

“The best tool to get a conversation started is a map. You just get one out and ask someone walking by what country their family came from, and then they just take the conversation from there,” Sexinger said.

Over at the Ireland booth, visitors can trace their last name to the Irish town it comes from, booth coordinator Sally Murphy-Pallante said. She has been running the booth for 21 years.

“We display a pictorial history of the Irish culture from the famine to the immigrants’ journey through Ellis Island, to the famous Irish-Americans,” she said.

Program at risk

This is the 45th year this program has been a part of the fair, but Sexinger is not sure how much longer it will be around.

“Everyone working these booths is getting older, and the fair board keeps asking me if we are going to be around in 10 years, and I honestly don’t know. It is hard to recruit the younger generation to get involved here,” Sexinger said.

The United Nations booth has been working with Youngstown State University to help bring international students into the program, but so far the response has been subpar, according to Lucile Bartelmay, treasurer of the UN/USA group.

“It is very difficult to get the younger people interested in their ethnic history, but in our Valley, where we have such a wide ethnic spectrum, it is important to have something like this where people can share their history,” Bartelmay said.