Lifestyle

'Tis the season for holiday craft fairs


Published: November 6, 2009

The Governor's Artisan Faire

The Governor's Academy Faire celebrates the creative talents of local artists the next two weekends in the Peter R. Remis Lobby Art Gallery in the Performing Arts Center on the school's Byfield campus at 1 Elm St. The fair will feature ceramics, fiber arts, woodworking, artwork, furniture, jewelry, blown glass, pottery, seasonal papier mache and more. An opening reception and sale will take place tonight from 6 to 8. The sale continues the next two Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Governor's Academy performing arts center, 1 Elm St., Byfield. For more information, call Meredith Toumayan at 978-499-3340 or visit www.TheGovernorsAcademy.org.

Amesbury's Village of Church Fairs

The 14th annual Village of Church Fairs will be celebrated tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at seven churches within walking distance of each other in town fairs. Traditional offerings will include crafts, baked goods, holiday decorations, raffles, a variety of foods and more. Maps and menus will be available at every church.

Some of the participants include:

Main Street Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, 145 Main St., which will offer a Cookie Walk, Country Store, bake table, kids table, jewelry table, crafts table and basket raffle, featuring themed baskets of all shapes and sizes. Lunch will be served in the vestry from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A variety of hearty soups, apple crisp and warm apple cider will be served. Call Barbara Lucy at 978-388-0982 or visit www.main-street-church.org.

Market Street Baptist Church, 37 Market St., presents "A-Family-A-Faire." Attic treasures will fill the church gym and crafts, gift items, baked goods and fudge will be for sale. Homemade soups, chili and sandwiches will be served at the lunch buffet.

Amesbury Senior Center fair

A holiday fair will take place at the Amesbury Senior Center, 9 School St., on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will feature new and handmade items, Christmas decorations, jewelry and homemade baked goods, as well as raffles. Lunch will also be available; on the menu is homemade fish chowder based on Dick Bowley's recipe, chicken salad sandwiches and hot dogs. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Amesbury Council on Aging. Proceeds will support the Amesbury Senior Center.

Laurel Grange hosts fall craft fair

Laurel Grange #161 at 21 Garden St. in West Newbury is holding a fall craft fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be handmade goods and other items, such as kids' quilts, handmade jewelry, soaps, crochet/knit items and Christmas ornaments. In addition to the crafts, there will be a bake sale table, musical entertainment by Dan Trembly, pony rides and other activities. Contact Jackie Carter at 978-352-2986 or e-mail midnight721@verizon.net.

Newburyport High Holiday Fest

The first Newburyport High School Holiday Festival, featuring more than 30 of the region's artists and artisans will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Newburyport High School, 241 High St. Jewelry, photography, handbags from vintage fabrics, children's clothing, decoupage boxes and tiles, fancy lamps, soaps, lotions and potions, hand-spun and blown glass, woodcarvings, hand-knit mittens, scarves and sweaters, handmade chocolates and more will be available. Refreshments will be sold. Proceeds will support senior class trips and help defray the cost of the senior prom. Contact Lorna Hossack at 978-465-4440, ext. 5012, or lhossack@newburyport.k12.ma.us, or visit www.NHSFestival.blogspot.com

West Newbury's Great Pumpkin Craft Fair

The 26th annual Great Pumpkin Craft Fair returns to Dr. John C. Page School at 694 Main St. on Route 113 in West Newbury tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fair will showcase more than 70 crafters and artisans from the region. Handmade clothing, jewelry, home decor, holiday items and homemade goods will be sold. The raffle table will feature several prize packages, including Red Sox tickets, gift certificates to area restaurants and a Cape Cod getaway. Admission to the fair and parking are free. Sponsored by the West Newbury PTO, proceeds benefit students at the Page School.

Georgetown parents group holiday fair

The Georgetown Preschool Parents Group hosts its annual Holiday Fair Saturday at the Perley School at 51 North St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a variety of vendors, such as Tastefully Simple, The Bonfire Candle Co., Made by Susan jewelry, and more, as well as music, food and refreshments.

Seabrook church's annual Yule Fair

Trinity United Church in Seabrook is hosting its annual Yule Fair Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Parish House on the corner of Route 1 and Folly Mill Road, next to the post office. Rental space is available; e-mail office@trinityuchurch.com, or call 603-474-7900.

St. James in Groveland Holiday Fair

The St. James Episcopal Church Holiday Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 119 Washington St., Groveland. Photos with Santa are $5 each or three for $10. Shop from three floors of gift baskets, baked goods, raffles, silent auctions, crafts, children's items, an elephant table and more. Dine in the soup cafe or hot dog corner, too.

Fair at Groveland Congregational Church

The Snowflake Fair at the Groveland Congregational Church, located at the junction of Main (Route 113) and King streets, will be held Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Friday hours are 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a 6 p.m. roast beef dinner and raffle drawing. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the fair or by calling the church office at 978-372-3463. The fair offers something for everyone, with homemade baked goods and treats, handmade crafts from 20 local artisans, jewelry, good finds and raffles. Meals will be available throughout both days, with a Friday night supper and Saturday coffee shop and lunch, ending with the roast beef dinner Saturday night.

Fair at St. Mary's of Georgetown/Rowley

St. Mary's Parish of Georgetown/Rowley is hosting its fourth annual vendor fair Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Georgetown Hall, 94 Andover St. Enjoy homemade baked goods, Christmas music and a relaxing atmosphere all while browsing a variety of vendors' goods for sale, including photography prints, scrapbooking items, gift baskets, jewelry, pottery and more. Donations are being accepted for the baked goods table. Items may be dropped off in the Georgetown Hall the night before or morning of the fair. E-mail Carolyn Favazza at bearcreek6@hotmail.com, or call St. Mary's Church at 978-352-6540.

Annual St. Paul's fair and silent auction

St. Paul's Church, 166 High St., Newburyport, presents its annual fair and silent auction Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Offerings at the fair include baked goods, books, boutique, Christmas and holiday room, crafts, clothing, jewelry, linens, toys, treasure chest and more. There will also be a selection of Bead for Life jewelry to benefit the women of Uganda and the sale of "Our Daily Bread," a cookbook fundraiser from the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Biloxi, Miss. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m.; lunch will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Silent Auction features many quality items donated from local merchants and others. This is St. Paul's largest fundraiser of the year and benefits the church's many projects.

Craft fair at Ould Newbury Golf Course

A holiday craft fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ould Newbury Golf Course Clubhouse on Route 1 in Newbury. The fair will feature a wide variety of items from local crafters. A raffle with donations from local businesses, crafters and The Pro Shop will be held with the proceeds going to Bright Happy Power of Ipswich, which supports childhood cancer patients and their families in New England. Admission is free.

Christmas craft fair at Byfield housing

A Christmas craft fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room of Oak Ridge housing for the elderly at 84 Main St. in Byfield. The fair will feature crafts, gifts and baked goods. Proceeds will benefit the food bank of the Community United Methodist Church of Byfield.

Greek luncheon and bake sale

A Greek luncheon and bake sale will be held Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nicholson Hall in Newburyport. Shop from local vendors and artisans selling wares, such as custom soaps, jewelry, American Doll clothing, doll furniture, dipping oils, quilts, jams, gourmet chocolate and candy and more. The Greek luncheon starts at 11 a.m. and features stuffed grape leaves, gyro, avgolemono soup, spanakopita and moussaka. Holiday sweet bread and delicious pastries, such as kourabiedes and greek nutcake will also be available.

Coastal Connections fair in Byfield

Coastal Connections is hosting its second annual craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Arts Center, 7 Central St., Byfield. There will be a white elephant table, bake sale and silent auction. Coastal Connections Inc. is a nonprofit organization supporting individuals with disabilities in their community. Proceeds from this craft fair will go toward the activity fund, which defrays the cost of individuals to attend community events. Call Annie at 978-462-4902 for more information.

Old Merrimac Fair Nov. 21

The Old Merrimac Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 27 Church St. The holiday fair with old-fashioned flair will feature a children's workshop, children's crafts, a cookie walk, home-baked goodies, a general store, a silent auction, greenery and decorations for holiday time, and a cafe with snacks and lunch. Pilgrim Church is completely accessible to the handicapped.

Rowley's Olde Tyme Country Fair

An old-fashioned Church Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Rowley, 175 Main St. (Route 1A). The event will feature Christmas crafts, handcrafts, plants, kissing balls and wreaths, baked goods, books, attic treasures, a raffle table, a silent auction, cookie decorating, a "For Kids Only" shopping room, and a visit by Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A spaghetti supper will take place from 5 to 7 p.m.

Tables available at Newburyport's Country Rehab craft fair

Tables are for rent at the Country Rehab craft fair to be held Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Country Rehab Nursing Center, 180 Low St., Newburyport. The fair will feature jewelry, Christmas decorations, food and crafts of all kinds.

To rent a table, call Dorothy Lemire at 978-465-5361.

Angel Gabriel Fair of Newburyport

The Angel Gabriel Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at People's United Methodist Church, 64 Purchase St. in Newburyport. The fair will feature Angel Gabriel quilters handmade items and crafts, costume jewelry and collectibles by Barbara and Carolina, attic treasures including Pilgrim cranberry glass, vintage jewelry, hats and handbags by Jan Marcotte, "Newburyport Revisited" photos and collectibles by Duncan MacBurnie, Marilyn Wescott Photography notecards, handcrafted jewelry by Carol McPhee, notecards by Jeanne Dierickx, and baked goods and sweets, including homemade desserts by Aunt Pat. On hand will be local authors and artists, including Ghlee Woodworth, author of "Tiptoe through the Tombstones," Robert Campbell, author of "Humor is Life's Lubricant," local watercolor artist David McPhee, and local oil painter Herbert Crooks. There will also be a luncheon with homemade fish chowder, sandwiches, chips and beverages, as well as free coffee, tea and doughnuts.

Annual holiday crafts fair in Rowley

The 37th annual holiday crafts fair will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pine Grove School, Route 1A in Rowley (blizzard date: Sunday, Dec. 6). More than 150 professional craftsmen from New England will exhibit, demonstrate and sell their crafts; the event will feature no nut products. The event is free and sponsored by the Rowley PTO.