Features Editor

The International Student Cultural Organization (ISCO) Festival is the hottest ticket in town and only 200 early birds will be able to enjoy the feast of the nations on Saturday March 9.

"We encourage people to buy their tickets in advance because the ISCO Festival is traditionally a sellout," said Dr. Ed Merkel, ISCO advisor. "To wait to get a ticket at the door is really taking a chance."

Each year the ISCO Festival packs the house and this year, the 20th, should be no exception.

Tickets are $13 for adults and $7

for students and either the food or the entertainment is worth the price of the admission.

Those who come for the food will get entertainment as a bonus. Those who come for the entertainment with have their taste buds treated.

The food is an around-the-world sampling of favorite foods including salads, main dishes and desserts.

Merkel said the Russian salad, Chinese dumplings and Spanish flam are among the favorite dishes each year.

"The students prepare the dishes and the look forward to sharing foods from their homelands with the guests," said Cathy Pobanz, international student advisor. "The students will be dressed in the traditional costumes of their country and participate in the Parade of Nations, which will be done with a different twist this year. I think everyone will enjoy it more."

The students will also provide entertainment for the evening and Pobanz said something very different and special is planned.

"I don’t want to say what it is because it is going to be really special and I don’t want to spoil it," she said. "But, I will say that you don’t want to come late and miss the fanfare."

Troy State University has 349 international students from 52 countries on campus this semester. That’s about 7 percent of the student population.

"We are extremely proud of our international students and the contributions they make to our university and our community," Merkel said. "The ISCO Festival is a volunteer effort on their part and an opportunity for them share the the foods and customs of their home countries with the people of Troy.

The ISCO Festival is planned for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Adams Center Ballroom on the campus of Troy State University. Tickets are available at the ISCO office or by calling 670-3335.