(Beaver Dam) Wayland Academy recently received a grant from the Beaver Dam Area Community Foundation to support its 2025 Culture Convention. The two individual $500 grants, totaling $1,000, was from the Heffron Family Fund. Wayland Academy officials say the Culture Convention is a celebration of global diversity and cultural appreciation, with food, activities, performances, and a fashion show, as well as feature guest entertainment.
Culture Convention is a revitalization of the Global Fair, which began as a community event in 2003. The Beaver Dam Community Library hosted the event for several years, before moving it to the Wayland Academy campus in 2016. The event was put on pause during the pandemic.
This year’s event has been organized by Wayland Academy faculty, staff, and students, with sponsorship support from the Beaver Dam Community Library, Budde Real Estate, Beaver Dam Community Foundation, Heffron Family Fund, Colleen and Jason Warnick, Carolina and Chris Ganske, Dam Chicken, Blue Hawaii, Walmart, and St. Katharine Drexel School.
“The Culture Convention is a highly anticipated event in the community, offering a unique opportunity to explore the diverse cultures represented in both Beaver Dam and the Wayland community,” said Carolina Ganske, modern languages faculty at Wayland and Co-chair of the Culture Convention committee. “From incredible food to one-of-a-kind performances, it’s an afternoon filled with learning, sharing, and meaningful connections. You won’t want to miss it.”
“Wayland Academy’s Culture Convention is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity for the Beaver Dam community to experience the diversity, traditions, and perspectives that make our school so unique. From authentic foods to a vibrant fashion show and so many cultural performances, Culture Convention is a celebration of all cultures coming together and being recognized,” shared Maddie Clark, secretary of Wayland’s Unity and Community student committee and the Culture Convention student planning committee.
She added, “As a senior at Wayland academy, I will forever remember and talk about the diversity and enlightenment this school has given me. I decided to join the Culture Convention planning committee this year because I wanted to share that enlightenment with as many people as possible. Trust me, it’s an opportunity that will change your life.”
Countries to be represented at this year’s Culture Convention include Afghanistan, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominica, Germany, Guatemala, Iceland, India, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, the United States, and Viet Nam. The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin (Bear Clan) will also be represented.
Dozens of food samplings from around the world will be available, including waffles (Belgium), brigadeiros (Brazil), gallo pinto and arroz con leche (Costa Rica), potato salad (Germany), tamales and mangonada (Mexico), Pierogi (Poland), jollof rice (Nigeria), tortilla de patatas and salmorejo (Spain), and syrnyk (Ukraine).
Performances throughout the day will include Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association Traditional Folk Performing Arts Troupe (Madison), Tania Tandias Flamenco & Spanish Dance, Ensemble Shamaali (Middle Eastern music), Krimson Dance Group (Wayland Academy), Wayland Academy’s Concert Choir, St. Katharine Drexel Dancers, UW-Madison’s Fuego Dance Crew, and other student performances. A fashion show featuring cultural attire from around the world will also take place between performance sets. One at 1:30pm and the second at 2:50pm.
The event will be held this Saturday, March 1st from 1pm to 4pm in Lindsay Gym, centrally located on Wayland’s campus. Admission to this event is free and open to the public, with donations accepted at the door.
More information about the event and a full list of our sponsors, including a campus map and parking information, is available online. Click HERE for more information.
