Munch on lefse and sip some glögg to celebrate Nordic culture. 

Bring your yuletide cheer to Yulefest 2011, an annual fundraiser for Ballard’s Nordic Heritage Museum.The late Randi Hansen hosted the first Yulefest in 1978 to raise money for a museum that honored her — and many other Seattleites’ — cultural roots. Today, the Nordic Heritage Museum attracts a large crowd every year to celebrate the season and pay tribute to Scandinavian ancestry.

Yulefest will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $3 per adult and $1 for children under 12 years of age. Rumor has it Santa will make an appearance for good little boys and girls.

This annual festival is a great way to get you in the holiday spirit — and give you a jump-start on holiday shopping. Guests are invited to stroll the vending aisles, where many exquisite, hand-crafted gift items will be available for purchase.

A live band will perform traditional polska music for the crowds as they munch on traditional Scandinavian cuisine, including krumkake, open-faced Scandinavian sandwiches, coffee, pastries, Nordic beers and glögg (a festive mulled wine that combines red wine, cinnamon and ginger).

If you feel a little civic duty calling, volunteers are needed for the event.  If you would like to help out, contact Michael Ide at (206) 789-5707 ext. 12, or e-mail him.

Yulefest 2011 at Nordic Heritage Museum| Saturday, Nov. 19 & Sunday, Nov. 20| 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.