INTERVIEW with The Danish Pioneer Newspaper: A Salute to the Danish Volunteers at the Orange International Street Fair
By Linda Steffensen, Editor of The Danish Pioneer Newspaper www.thedanishpioneer.com , and U.S. Corporate Secretary for Rebild National Park Society, Inc. www.rebildfesten.dk —
Can you imagine being in charge of an international street fair that attracts 400,000 – 500,000 people each year? Michael Winger does. He has been the President of the Orange International Street Fair Inc. in California since 2003.
The Danish Pioneer Newspaper decided to check in with the dedicated president to learn about this popular fair, which this year runs on Friday, August 30 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday, August 31 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday, September 1 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. in Orange, California.
The 2013 theme is “Sweet on Summer at the Plaza”.
“What makes the Orange International Street Fair so popular and so special is the fair is a down-to-earth kind of event that supports a number of non-profit organizations at one time,” Winger tells The Danish Pioneer Newspaper. “We also do not have any amusement rides. So that makes it more of a event about the different ethnic groups and their foods and drink at the fair. We also do not charge admission to get into the fair so everyone is welcome to come and spend the day here.”
The Danes are very, very active at the Orange International Street Fair — and you can find them hard at work on “Danish Street”. There you will find Danes, Danish-Americans, Americans and Scandinavian volunteers with their family and friends working side-by-side at the busy booths. The Danes have also had a lead roll with the Orange International Street Fair as Erik Meyer, one of Rebild National Park Society’s earlier U.S. Corporate Secretaries, was President of the Orange International Street Fair in 1979.
Winger says, “The Danish Americans have been a major part to the fair for I think 41 years. For as long as I can remember. They have brought the true ethnic feel to the fair every year with their authentic dress, food and drink. They are one of my favorite groups in the street fair. They always have a smile and always hard working.”
Winger makes sure to have some Danish aebleskiver (Danish donuts) each year.
He explains, “Have I ever tasted an Aebleskiver, you bet I have! I have to ‘test’ them every year and they pass my taste test every year. This is one of the most talked about foods of the street fair and everyone loves them. I don’t get a lot of time off during the fair, so I can’t drink any alcohol and I can’t give you an review of the beer, but I do see that they do sell a lot so I know it has to be good.”
While Winger has never been to Denmark or Scandinavia, he says it is on his list of things to see if he would travel outside the United States.
“The ‘international’ influence to the fair is a way to be able to showcase different ethnicities in one place,” adds Winger. “The fair is also a chance for people to ask questions and find out more about each ethnic group in the fair without a lot of traveling.”
“It is another way to taste the world of flavor in one stop,” says Winger. “It is a good way to reconnect for some to their roots also.”
Winger says they have seen an estimate of 400,000 to 500,00 people at the fair on a good year if the weather is good. He also stresses how important the support of the public is to the event.
He explains, “If it was not for the public, most of the ethnic groups would have to fundraise another way. For a lot of the groups, this is their only fundraiser for the year. I can say that for the fair it is a good feeling that we can help each and every group make as much money that they can by allowing the public to attend for free.”
Here’s a salute to all of the Orange International Street Fair volunteers – and a special hello to the Danes from your friends in Chicago! Have a great event!
To learn more about the Orange International Street Fair, visit www.orangestreetfair.org. The OISF is located at 112 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92866, Tlf. 714-633-4816.
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