Swedish Christmas starts with Julmarknad

BISHOP HILL - Celebrate the holidays with a Swedish flare. Bishop Hill's annual Julmarknad (Christmas Market) is open this year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 6 and 7. Julmarknad honors the Scandinavian custom, continued from the Middle Ages, in which farmers and craftsmen gathered in village squares to sell their goods. In this same spirit, Bishop Hill also will be selling gifts, antiques, Scandinavian food such as herring, rye bread and lutefisk, and Swedish imports. During Julmarknad, Swedish folk characters stroll through the village. Look for Julbock, the Christmas goat, and the elf, Tomten, among others. Kay Price, a professional storyteller, will be telling tales at 1 and 3 p.m. both weekends. At 1 p.m. Dec. 6, the Wether