PLATTEVILLE — If it is a Saturday in November or December, chances are a shopper can find holiday decorations, a craft bargain and a tasty lunch at a local church Christmas bazaar.
Platteville United Methodist Church, 1065 Lancaster St., will host its annual Holiday Fair Saturday, Dec. 1.
Early morning home made cinnamon rolls and coffee will be served at 8 a.m. with the bazaar opening at 9 a.m. A lunch with barbeque beef and hot turkey dressing sandwiches, salads and desserts will begin at 11 a.m.
The bazaar features Christmas cookies sold by the pound, fresh baked goods, canned beef, preserves, and hand-crafted decorations. A Granny’s Attic, with gently used items and books, will offer a buyer an opportunity to buy a bargain.
The bazaar dates back close to 50 years when it was held at the previous church site on the corner of Main Street and Chestnut Street. Sponsored, organized and presented by the United Methodist Women group chaired by Dee Gray, the bazaar comes together through many committees that contribute to its success.
The co-chairs of the event are Rosemary Anderson and Barbara Browning. Groups are responsible for set up, serving the luncheon, preparing the food, organizing the items for sale, and being on hand on Saturday to sell items.
For some members the bazaar has become an activity to be handed down in the family. Marian Masbruch has been involved with the bazaar for many years and her daughter Noreen Masbruch decorated the sign on Lancaster Road and, along with Jennifer Fiedler, handled the publicity for the bazaar.
The success of the bazaar, however, involves the entire congregation, not just the women’s group. Men within the congregation have made items such as jellies, wooden doll cradles, bird houses, cutting boards and reindeer planters. The men will also help with the set up and take down of the tables, as well as help doing dishes on Saturday. The children’s and youth groups will help serve luncheons. The Boy Scouts will help carry trays during the lunch.
The money raised from the bazaar will go almost exclusively to support local, national and international mission work.
