St. Mary's Church and First Church of Christ UCC, both in Longmeadow, will hold their annual holiday fairs on Dec. 7.
Holiday craft fairs are popular attractions in the Pioneer Valley, and their success depends on dedicated volunteers who begin planning for them six months in advance.
This is an undertaking veteran organizer Alice Pacella, of St. Mary's Church, knows well, as does Candy Heaphy, who is in her first year as chair of the First Church of Christ UCC’s annual Christmas on the Green fair, Both Longmeadow events are on Dec. 7.
Alice Pacella has chaired the Christmas fair at St. Mary's Church, in Longmeadow, for 17 years. Pacella has served as chair of the St. Mary’s fair for the past 17 years. She initially joined the St. Mary’s Guild as a way to meet other members, and help raise money through the fair for scholarships.
“I like going to craft fairs and buying something that is of quality and handmade. I knew the craft fair here offered really well made items,”Pacella said. “Plus all the vendors work is juried. I thought this would be fun to be part of this.”
In its 33rd year, the St. Mary’s fair uses all the money it raises to fund scholarships for eligible parishioners and other needs of the parish, Pacella said. The fair will be held Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the parish gym, 519 Longmeadow St.
“The volunteers for the fair all come together and are so eager to help. Each year people come with ideas and we jump on them. For me it’s important because it’s our one and only annual fundraiser,” she said.
As a self-described detail-oriented person, Pacella began planning for this year’s fair in June. At that time, crafters from the previous year had the first right of refusal whether to participate again. If any decide not to join, new vendors are considered and must go through the same juried process, Pacella said. Crafters must make their own products. Of the 51 crafters at this year’s fair, the majority of them are from Western Massachusetts, about 15 are new.
Pacella relies on the assistance of other guild members to put the fair together. She starts with an organizational meeting with about 40 women “who help with ideas, creativity and provide lots of energy,” she said.
Responsibilities are divided among the volunteers to work on setting up the fair, which includes organizing events such as a bake sale, raffle and used book section. Others are also responsible for publicity, which can include creating flyers and hanging them at local shops and other public places.
This year’s fair will feature hand-painted pashmina shawls, hand-spun wool clothing, stained glass lamps, wreaths, silk floral arrangements, dolls, quilting items and a wide variety of jewelry and Christmas decorations.
The First Church of Christ UCC's Christmas on the Green is organized by the Women’s Benevolent Society, one of the oldest charitable organizations in the country.
“I got involved because there’s a spirit of camaraderie, which makes the work easier, and at the end there is tremendous gratification that money has been raised to donate to charity,” Heaphy said. “Over 100 members of the church volunteer to work for this one day event and it is obvious that they have a lot of fun.”
This year’s event will be held Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, located at the corner of Williams and Longmeadow streets across from the historic town green.Two floors of crafts such as jewelry, ornaments, vintage home goods and pottery among other items will be for sale with proceeds going to support local and national causes. Santa will make a visit between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Like St. Mary’s, the planning for the First Church fair also starts in June, initially to assess which of the previous year’s volunteers want to help again, Heaphy said. After Labor Day, volunteers meet weekly to divide the various tasks, she said.
“Frequent communication with the workers is key and frequent notices in our in-house publications, such as the Sunday bulletin, and a weekly email newsletter listing our needs. We are always looking for new talent,” she said.
What distinguishes the First Church fair from others in the area is that all the vendors come from within the parish.
“A booth called First Church Originals appeals to members of our congregation to make hats, mittens, scarves, bird feeders, doll furniture, doll clothes and dozens of other items,” Heaphy said. “Members donate jewelry, fine china, art and mirrors and household goods.”
The fair also sells homemade cookies and candy, wreaths and many kinds of ornaments.
Both St. Mary’s and First Church’s fairs tie in with the parish’s efforts at faith.
“It is important to members of our faith, as with most faiths, to be active in the community and to do good works as Jesus and his followers did,” Heaphy said. We share what we have through various ministries.”
For First Church, it’s the spirit of the community that is the real star, Pacella said.
“What I like the best about the fair is it’s not a feeling of Santa Claus or snowmen or not even a feeling of Jesus. It’s a feeling of the community coming together,” she said. “Everyone is happy and eager. It’s a great time.”