Published in the November 9, 2017 edition.
By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — Around this time of year, church signs often advertise that their annual fall and holiday fairs are coming up.
Behind these signs are people who have been laboring for months to make these fairs as successful as possible. This includes the women and men who are part of the First Parish Congregational Church family. They’ve been busy planning, organizing, knitting, crocheting and baking for the big event.
This year’s annual holiday fair will be held from Friday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 11. On Friday, early birds are invited to shop the whole fair from 5 to 6 p.m. after paying a $5 fee. The fair will then continue from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
According to Fair Chairman Catherine Callaghan, there will be home baked breads, homemade marshmallow fluff fudge, jewelry, hand-knitted items, gift baskets and crafts in the recreation hall upstairs while white elephant items will be located downstairs in the newly enhanced dining room.
“The downstairs white elephant room is basically a yard sale,” said Callahan. “We charge an early bird shoppers’ fee because a lot of dealers come in early to check out the downstairs white elephant room and the jewelry room upstairs.”
There will also be delicious food for dinner on Friday night and Saturday at lunchtime. On the menu: Homemade chili, chicken salad, meatball sandwiches, soup and apple crisp. The dining room where food will be served has been renovated recently with new lights and new ceiling panels, making for a pleasant space in which to eat.
In addition to Callaghan, the Fair Committee includes Tim Callaghan, Linda D’Agostino, Barbara Costas, Barbara Donovan, Julia MacDonald and Meredith Houle. Barbara Flynn will oversee the baked goods table, and Marcia Phinney will run the knit goods table. Linell Nestor will oversee the jewelry room.
“The Fair wouldn’t be successful without our amazing volunteers that run everything, from cooking in the kitchen to making baked goods and manning the tables to sell the items,” said Callaghan.
She added that one of the reasons church fairs remain popular is that people can find a nice gift for someone at a reasonable price.
“It also helps that the money you’re spending is going to a good cause,” she commented. “For me, it’s nice to know that the church and community are benefitting from this event. All proceeds go directly to the church.”
