REV. RICK HUGHES and Frosty’s Fair Chair Heidi Hastings are working with many volunteers to ensure this year’s Frosty’s Fair runs smoothly once again during its week-long virtual format Nov. 26-Dec. 4. The fair is a North Reading tradition dating back to 1946. (Courtesy Photo)

 

By ALLIE HASTINGS

NORTH READING — It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the Union Congregational Church’s beloved annual Frosty’s Fair is set to return to its virtual format in just a few short weeks. It will run between Friday, November 26 and Saturday, December 4, starting a week earlier than the traditional in-person event.

The virtual fair will operate in a similar fashion to last year’s in that customers will be instructed to officially register on a website in order to access all of the items up for sale and auction. A video tutorial page is in the process of being made and will be available on the Frosty’s Fair website for those seeking navigation help, which will also outline the online bidding process.

Reverend Dr. Richard Hughes recognizes that community members may be disappointed that Frosty’s Fair will not be resuming to an in-person format, but he hopes that everyone will respect the Frosty’s Fair Committee’s decision to conduct the event remotely, out of an abundance of caution. 

“The decision to not have an in-person Frosty’s Fair again this year was not an easy one to make,” Rev. Hughes expressed.  “Like so many people in the community I look forward to the fair every year. It always makes my heart sing when I see everyone in the congregation working together to make it happen.”

Even though the church will not be bustling with activity this holiday season, a team of diligent volunteers and committee members have been working hard behind the scenes to create a virtual experience that will encapsulate the magic of the Christmas spirit.

Shoppers can look forward to more crafts this year. For example, Rev. Hughes has been creating more of his own handmade, lighted glass blocks to donate to the fair. He will have about 35 lighted blocks for sale, with a handful displaying Christmas themes, snowy winter scenes, and characters from holiday classics such as Charlie Brown and the Grinch.

Auction a highlight of the fair

Auction items are always a major highlight of the fair, and this year’s Chair, Heidi Hastings, is excited about what the church will have to offer. Donations are still coming in, but current auction items include a Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, Star Wars and Tangled LEGO sets, costume jewelry, children’s toys, a pair of adult snowshoes, various gift baskets, and gift certificates to local restaurants.

Despite the fair being virtual, customers can also still shop for Rev. Hughes’s famous lobster bisque, as well as delicious baked goods, which will be available for pickup when the fair is over.

“There will be a lot of the traditional baked goods that Frosty’s Fair has always been known for – cookies, fudge, and pies,” added Hastings.

At the conclusion of the fair, shoppers will pick up their purchases at the UCC on the afternoon and early evening of Sunday, December 5, or Monday, December 6. Pickup hours will be specified at a later date when more details are finalized. Those who need assistance during the pickup process can seek aid from one of Santa’s helpers at the church.

Looking ahead to future in-person fairs

UCC members have learned that no matter the format, it takes a village to put on a fair that everyone can enjoy, and they are grateful for the community’s continued support in allowing this festive tradition to live on. Rev. Hughes and others on the committee still remain hopeful that future fairs will be held in the congregation, where Frosty’s first began.

“When you see all the smiles and the hugs that people share when they come to the fair, it really puts you in the Christmas spirit. So, my hope and prayer is that if more and more people get vaccinated, we will be able to do an in-person fair again next year,” said Rev. Hughes.

The UCC Frosty’s Fair Committee would like people to be mindful that the fair is running a week earlier than normal; this year’s virtual fair will officially start on Friday, November 26 at noon and will run until Saturday, December 4 at 8 p.m.

The URL webpage for Frosty’s Virtual Fair can be located at https://nrucc.ejoinme.org/Frosty2021. Additional flyers and social media posts displaying the link will soon be posted to various social media sites such as the Facebook pages of the North Reading Transcript, North Reading News and North Reading Community Connection.

Those who have questions or are interested in learning more about the fair can contact the UCC directly at 978-664-3703.