Walking into Kresge Recital Hall, members of the Knox College and Galesburg community were met with a brilliantly colorful experience as they watched students come together to share their diversity at the 2015 International Fair.

More than 50 countries were represented January 31 in the Parade of Flags, which marked the beginning of the cultural showcase, a series of performances spotlighting students' talents in dancing, music, and other artistic work.

An annual tradition at Knox since 1982, I-Fair is sponsored by the Knox College International Club, one of the College's largest student organizations. With 11% of its student body from outside the U.S., Knox has been ranked among top 25 liberal arts colleges for international diversity and among the top 50 for ethnic diversity.

The theme for this year's I-Fair was "Stories & Fables," and the event proved popular inside and outside the Knox community.

"What appealed to me about I-Fair is that all the countries come together," said Joya Scholastique Kitoko, a first-year student from the Democratic Republic of Congos who carried her country's flag.

"Carrying the flag, I got emotional," she added. "It gives you a feeling that you're closer to your country and sharing the culture with other people."

A variety of cultural booths were featured at this year's I-Fair. The booth for the Harambee Club, which promotes African identity, displayed musical instruments. A booth focusing on Vietnam included examples of food and art, while a booth focusing on Myanmar presented an array of intricate wall hangings. A booth about Japan had displays of traditional stories and fairy tales, as well as students showing off their skills at origami.

First in line for the international buffet dinner was a family of five from Knox County. Jim and Becky Wilson, their daughter, Tricia Wilson, their 19-year-old grandson, Brett Bonynge, and Tricia's 9-year-old daughter, Asia Johnson, said they look forward to I-Fair each year.

Tricia Wilson said she has been attending the event for about 15 years.

"I enjoy seeing all the different cultures and foods, seeing different customs," she said.

Jim Wilson, who traveled to Hong Kong, Singapore, and other places when he served in the U.S. Navy, sampled all sorts of cuisine at I-Fair. "I like to try new foods," he said. "I like the Chinese food, and I love Mexican food. And the African food is really good."

Michiko Li, a Knox sophomore from Japan, staffed the Japan culture booth and choreographed one of the dances performed at the cultural showcase. She and another student, senior Mina Kemmisaki from Japan, each wore a yukata, a Japanese casual summer robe.

Kemmisaki helped cook some of the food being served at dinner, such as okonomiyaki, a Japanese pancake, and dango, a sweet rice cake.

"It's a really great opportunity to experience other cultures," said Kemmisaki. "It's not only for international students, but for the whole campus."