The black hair of a Nicaraguan orphan turns red because of malnutrition.

is stomach swells from lack of food. Crops meant to feed him were destroyed by a recent hurricane.

Interfaith Network, a ministry of 12 area churches, is working to help such homeless Nicaraguan children.

Interfaith Network will sponsor it first annual “October Folk Festival” Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1021 E. State St., DeKalb, to benefit orphans of the war in Nicaragua.

Proceeds from the event will help provide food, medical care and caring volunteers for orphans who “may just want to have their hands held while they die,” Dori Burg, fundraiser for the Interfaith Network said.

The event will include a garage sale, flea market, art and craft sale, food, folk music and storytelling for kids. Admission to the event is free, but donations will be accepted.

The evening program, which will cost $2 per person, will start at 7 p.m. and end at midnight. Ten area folk artists will play a variety of acoustical instruments, fundraiser Maureen Brown said. Dave Williams, a well known folk artist, is scheduled to perform.

The concert also will feature NIU students Laura Ling-Wolfe and Marna Coldwater, who will play the guitar and sing. Musician Brad Fish will play the dulcimer, a traditional wooden folk instrument that is shaped like a violin but without a neck.

All proceeds will go to an orphanage in Nicaragua which the Interfaith Network has sponsored throughout the years.

The art sale will be held all day. Burg said local artists are encouraged to participate in the sale. Set-up for the show starts on Friday at 6 p.m.. Artists are not required to give a percentage of their sales to Interfaith Network, but a donation would be appreciated, she said.

For more information about the event, contact Dori Burg, 758-5339.