Attention all Norwegians and culture seekers. The Ames International Orchestra Festival Association (AIOFA) is hosting the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra Oct. 26 at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium.

In addition to the concert, a two week long Norwegian Festival, called Trollhaugenfest, will celebrate with dancing, storytelling, crafts and displays, said Robert Maxham, the executive director of AIOFA.

The AIOFA, a “merger between the great culture of Europe and American hospitality,” began 26 years ago, when C.Y. Stephens debuted with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. The show was such a success that AIOFA evolved to bring further orchestras to Ames, Maxham said.

We have “hosted every other major orchestra in the world with the exception of the Berlin Philharmonic,” Maxham said. He said the absence of the Berlin Philharmonic was due to routing problems.

The first time The New York Philharmonic played at Stephens Auditorium they stayed for five days, but today’s musicians’ stay has become less lengthy due to costs.

“Most orchestras and the presenters lose money on tours and the only reason orchestras tour is for publicity,” Maxham said. “We present them as a service to the community.”

Trollhaugenfest, which was named after the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Greig’s home, is “the kind of activity we once had, ” Maxham said.

He hopes to bring back that festival atmosphere with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra which will be in Ames for two days.

The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra will perform two children’s concerts in the morning of October 26 at 9:30 and 11:15. Maxham said children will be coming from all corners of the state. “Last year we had 4,770 children attend,” Maxham added.

“Contents of the Immigrants Trunk.” an exhibit from the Vesterheim museum in Decorah, will be on display in the Scheman Building. The exhibit details a Norwegian immigrant’s trip from her homeland to New York and on to Iowa.

Many of the objects on display are authentic artifacts of the day, and several others are replicas that can be handled, Maxham said.

Aside from the concert and the exhibit, the AIOFA will fill hungry stomachs with authentic Norwegian cuisine at 4:45 in the Scheman building while the Waldorf College choir, “The Christophers” performs.

On the menu that night is a Norwegian bread called Lefse, cod and rice pudding. The cost of the buffet and entertainment is $15 per person.

After the meal, the Celebrity Cafe in Stephens will host a Bunad Show. “Bunads are the traditional Norwegian costumes,” Maxham said. They can range in cost from $10,000 to $12,000, he added.

“Bunads must be registered in Norway. Each section of the country has its own style,” Maxham said.

The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $35, $30 and $25 for adults or $18, $15 and $12.50 for ISU students and 18 and under.

For more information regarding the festival or for tickets, contact the AIOFA office at (515)294-3213.