International Fair

An annual celebration of diversity

Food, culture, and entertainment from around the world take center stage at Knox College's annual International Fair, a celebration of the diversity of the world that comes to Knox.

Sponsored by the student International Club, the Fair is a chance for the students from around the world to highlight their culture with arts and crafts, live dance and music performances, and unique cuisine.

"One of the College's largest annual events, International Fair -- also known as "I-Fair" -- brings a human dimension to intercultural and international relations," says Bob Seibert, Robert W. Murphy Professor of Political Science. "It's a lot easier to address international affairs if we have a basic understanding to the people we're dealing with."

Held annually on the last Saturday in January, International Fair celebrated its 30th year in 2011. The Fair has grown over the years, as Knox now draws students from nearly 50 countries, up from just 15 countries in the years before the Fair. The Fair attracts between 1,000-2,000 visitors to campus to enjoy more than 30 food tables in Seymour Union and an equal number of cultural booths in the Ford Center for the Fine Arts.

Regular visitors from the community include high school students from the U.S. and abroad, sponsored by Rotary International. The service club plans its 'Fun Weekend' for exchange students to coincide with International Fair. Leadership Greater Galesburg, a community enrichment program, also brings a group of local dignitaries to campus for a day-long session that includes the Fair.

The I-Fair parade of flags

Fair History
Knox's first International Fair in 1982 was less than half the size of today's festivals, but its beginnings were neither small nor humble. The inaugural fair boasted booths from 12 countries, and it reflected Knox's growing interest in international education. Knox College operates its own study-abroad programs in France, Spain, and Argentina, and offers more than 20 other academic programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Internationalism at Knox has been integrated into the curriculum, student experiences, and community at large.