World Folkfest is dancing once more
Difficulty obtaining visas limits number of foreign dance groups
Admittedly, some sighed in relief because pulling the weeklong event together "is an insane amount of work," said Christie Babbitt, public relations spokeswoman.
But most were sad sighs.
The folkfest not only brings dozens of dancers from foreign countries to Springville, but the opportunity to make new friends, learn new things about different cultures and make priceless memories.
"My child was devastated," said Babbitt. "The folkfest has been part of our life for 20 years. She knows that's what we do in July."
Teddy Anderson has been with the folkfest since the beginning. She said it became impossible to get performer visas through both the Immigration and Naturalization Services and Homeland Security.
"It was just too difficult, and there was not enough time by the time we found out about the problems," Anderson said. "Homeland Security was asking questions of us that were very difficult. Everything had to go to both offices, and the Homeland Security people didn't know what to do with us."
"There are several really good festivals in the area, in Rexburg, Idaho, and in Bountiful. If the groups coming in could perform at all of them, it makes it worth their time to come but we're all having the same problem," said Anderson.
In the meantime, the festival is moving ahead by inviting foreign dance teams and groups who live in Canada or in a European country that's easy to work with.
Morning Star from Orem is booked, as are two Canadian groups who are descendents of Polish and Scottish dancers.
In addition, a Ukrainian group from Canada is on board.
Anderson said cost is not so much a problem as visas, particularly with the U.S. dollar worth less in the European market right now.
"That works in our favor," Anderson said.
Babbitt said up to 14 groups have come in the past. She expects a half dozen this year and last-minute entries are welcome.
"If we found out a week before the fest that a group could come, we would take them," Babbitt said.
The groups do a variety of dances throughout the week so every night is a different show, she said.
Groups from foreign nations are picked up at the airport, housed and fed during the week and returned to the airport, said Babbitt. A typical group has 20-30 dancers so it takes between 10-15 families per group to host them.
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