A fierce winter wind howled outside, but the warmth of food, entertainment and the holiday spirit permeated the Kenosha Public Museum Saturday as hundreds attended the seventh annual International Holiday Festival.

Margie Melville, who came to the event with her granddaughter, munched on Norwegian pastry and said, “We’re having a wonderful time. We just had some Chinese food. We’re getting a variety. And we’re getting full.”

The festival featured several kinds of cuisine including Korean, German, Chinese, Greek, Italian and Norwegian — from hot dishes to desserts.

Food demonstrations included crepes, Italian pastry and Chinese stir-fry.

Artisans and crafters offered their wares for sale.

The craft room proved popular among children, who fashioned fanciful paper snowflakes and Mexican foil ornaments, among other creations.

Kim McMahon brought her children, Christopher, 2, and Lauren, 6, to the craft room.

“They’re enjoying it very much,” McMahon said.

Lauren made snowflakes and Christmas tree ornaments.

“She made a Christmas tree to hang on the Christmas tree,” McMahon said with a smile. “We just came down here to look at the model-train exhibit and we saw all this going on. It’s a pleasant surprise.”

Logan Howell, 8, crafted an aluminum bell for his family’s Christmas tree.

“It wasn’t hard to make,” he said matter-of-factly.

Logan’s mother, Stacy Strickland, said, “We come to the festival every year. We like the different food and the crafts. Logan just loves it.”

Her favorite foods are the Greek pastries.

“They’re very good,” she said.

Dave Wedell, a friend of the Strickland family, looked on as Logan made his ornament.

“I’m not making anything myself — I’m not allowed around sharp objects,” he joked. “But I’m having fun watching the ornaments being created.”

Craft-room volunteers Chloe Naumowicz, 13, and her mother, Chris Naumowicz, assisted the children in making ornaments.

“We show them what there is to do,” Chloe said. Then she added somewhat philosophically: “The key thing for them to keep in mind is that nothing is perfect. No two snowflakes are alike — and everything will turn out.”

Chris said she and Chloe volunteered because they enjoy being part of the Kenosha community.

“We thought it would be fun, and it’s a way to give something back to the community and meet new people,” she said. “The important thing for the kids to keep in mind is just having fun and getting into the Christmas spirit.”

Olivia Czerwonka, 6, and Claire Czerwonka, 8, fashioned paper snowflakes, aided by their mother and father, Tracie and C.J. Czerwonka, as the strolling German chorus sang, “Little Drummer Boy.”

Olivia wore a pink bow in her hair, and at one point set the white snowflake next to it. Then she changed her mind and took off the snowflake.

“The pink doesn’t go very well with the white,” the budding fashion designer decreed.

The family sampled plenty of food.

“We did Greek, Norwegian, Korean and Italian,” Tracie said. “Yes, we are full.”

C.J. said he was helping out, but not making an ornament himself.

“I’ll probably do some cleaning up, too — like all dads do,” he said with a chuckle.

Tracie said her family enjoys the festival.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to get out and take part in some great Christmas traditions and get in the spirit of the holidays.”