SPIFFS is the only independent multiethnic organization of its kind in the United States. It was founded in 1975 as an umbrella organization of ethnic groups who joined together to present a festival during the US Bicentennial Celebration. In addition to Folk Fair, SPIFFS offers the following services to anyone in the area — and we invite you to use them! Meet our Board of Directors

The Speakers Bureau - Folk Artists and ethnic resource volunteers visit area schools and other community venues to discuss the heritage of their ethnic group, share their music, dance, arts and crafts, and sometimes demonstrate ethnic food specialties.

The Language Bank - More than 100 individuals handling more than 30 different languages and dialects serve as translators and interpreters for the community in courts, hospitals and schools and assist local city and county officials with translations for visiting dignitaries.

General Assembly - Each of the SPIFFS ethnic member groups have a delegate and an alternate delegate to the SPIFFS which meets once a month at the Sunshine Center in downtown St. Petersburg.

Folk dance groups Many of the member groups have dance groups which are available to perform throughout the community. One of these groups is the SPICE (St. Petersburg International Children’s Ensemble), for the other entertainment groups, please contact SPIFFS office.

New members: Please call SPIFFS at (727) 552-1896 to get in touch with your roots by joining one of the existing groups - or to join SPIFFS with new ethnic groups not currently represented. If you have some time to donate, please let us know! We have many volunteer opportunities, both on an ongoing basis and at our different festivals.

SPIFFS has been recognized by the Library of Congress and is found in its Local Legacies in Washington, D.C.

Services offered by SPIFFS members:

The Annual Folk Fair, - in recent years being held the first weekend in November.

• The member groups highlight the culture, ethnic crafts, foods, and entertainment from their respective cultures.
• The Speakers Bureau - Folk Artists and ethnic resource volunteers visit schools
  and other community venues to discuss the heritage of their
  ethnic group, share their music, dance, arts and crafts, and sometimes demonstrate
  ethnic food specialties.
• The Language Bank - More than 100 individuals handling more than
  30 different languages and dialects serve as translators and interpreters
  for the community in courts, hospitals and schools and assist local city and
  county officials with translations for visiting dignitaries.
• Folk Dance Groups - Many of the member groups have dance groups
  which are available to perform throughout the community.

Join SPIFFS! - Are you a member of an ethnic group or club in the Tampa Bay area? Would you like to get "in touch" with your ethnic roots and join one of our member groups?