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Trimmer folk fair to return this year

A shorter, home-grown SPIFFS will come to Vinoy Park.

By JON WILSON
Published October 29, 2006

Weeks of soul-searching finished, the city's international folk fair organizers have vowed to stage the traditional ethnic party in Vinoy Park again next year - with a few changes.

Scheduled for four days instead of the usual five, the 2007 bash will offer just one day open to the public. The other three days will be reserved for schoolchildren.

Instead of bringing in expensive entertainment, the various ethnic clubs will provide music.

"We've really cut down the expenses," said Rosaline Sugrive, executive director of the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society, known as SPIFFS.

The 32nd annual fair is scheduled for March 14-17.

Besides putting on the fair, immediate SPIFFS goals include replenishing finances and boosting membership, Sugrive said. It costs about $140,000 to run the fair. Government grants pay some, but not all, of the expenses.

SPIFFS officials are pleased to be in business. Earlier this year, the fair's future, and perhaps even the organization's, was in doubt. Internal difficulties caused uncertainty; the organization went through three changes of administration in six months, said board member Henry Chipelo.

"We're picking up the pieces (and) going at it the best way we can to turn things around," Chipelo said.

Joe Ordonez, a retired college professor, is the new SPIFFS president. Another retired professor, Bill Parsons, has joined the board.

"They know education, and that's what our mission is," said Bethia Caffery, a SPIFFS founder.

Since its inception in 1975, the organization has celebrated ethnic traditions and encouraged tolerance.

[Last modified October 28, 2006, 19:19:21]