Holiday fairs get season rolling

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Craftworkers’ Guild Fair

BEDFORD – Exciting crafts designed and handcrafted by over 50 New Hampshire artisans will be available for sale at the Craftworkers’ Guild annual Holiday Fair, which will be from Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 20. The fair will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a new “Men’s Night” event Thursday, Dec. 17, when the fair will be open until 9 p.m., with free gift wrapping offered from 5 to 9 p.m. The Fair is held in the historic Kendall House, 5 Meetinghouse Road, behind the Bedford Public Library. Parking is free and there is no admission charge. A portion of the proceeds from Guild Fairs is used to provide grants to teachers to help support arts in education.

Visitors can enjoy hassle-free holiday shopping and the large display of finely made crafts, with new items arriving daily.

ARL annual Craft Fair

Saturday, Nov. 28, and Sunday, Nov. 29, the Animal Rescue League of NH will hold its annual craft fair from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Not only will there be gift items, baked goods and raffles galore, but the League’s volunteers will be selling trees, wreaths and the League’s 2009 ornament!

Animals for adoption will be available from noon-5 p.m. each day.

Crafts range from jellies, dog coats and jewelry to alpaca shawls and handmade soap.

Our balsam fir trees will be for sale starting Friday, Nov. 27 through Christmas; wreaths as well. For more information, visit www.rescueleague.org or call the shelter at 472-DOGS.

Girl Scouts Craft Fair

The Bedford Girl Scouts will hold their annual Craft Fair on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5-7 p.m. at the McKelvie Intermediate School Cafeteria.

The public is welcome and there is no admission fee. All crafts are made by Girl Scouts. None will be priced more than $7. Join us for food, fun, arts and crafts, gifts, and much more. Any questions may be directed to Jodi Martin at 472-2600.

Bedford Holiday Bazaar

BEDFORD – The Bedford Holiday Bazaar will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Peter Woodbury School. It will feature silhouette portraits, wooden folk art, note cards and framed prints, silk flowers and bouquets, unique tote bags, painted silk scarves, The Fudge Mill Factory, pins and earrings, Free the Spoons, jewelry, homespun yarn, wrought iron, wooden toys, the PWS Art Club, and more.

All proceeds benefit the PWS Community School Yard: Phase II.

Bentley Commons Fair

BEDFORD – Bentley Commons at Bedford assisted living community will be hosting its first holiday craft fair Dec. 5. Craft fair hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bentley Commons, 66 Hawthorne Drive.

The event is free and open to the public. Start your holiday shopping early.

With 25 crafters and vendors, story telling, cookie decorating, raffles and holiday tree decorating, there is sure to be something for everyone.

Proceeds from raffle sales at the event will be donated to Seniors Count in Manchester. Seniors Count is a citywide collaborative community initiative involving many organizations partnering together to raise awareness, leverage resources and coordinate services for the at-risk elderly members of our community.

For additional information, call Brooke Schoch at 644-2200.

Shop ’Til You Drop

Shop ’Til You Drop, sponsored by the Milford Middle School Enrichment Program, will be Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Jacques School cafeteria.

Crafters and vendors can reserve a table by contacting Joan Dargie at 233-0788 or joandargie@aol.com. All local nonprofits may have a table at no charge. New and gently used holiday decorations are requested for the “Decoration Depot” table.

There will be a free “Jingle on Downtown Bus” stopping at this fair plus six others.

PTO Craft Fair

MILFORD – The Milford Elementary School PTO will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Milford Elementary School, 80 Heron Pond Road. In addition to craft tables, there will be a bake sale, raffles, cake walk, face painting, cookie decorating, make and take craft for kids, book sale, pictures with Santa and food and drinks at our Kringle Cafe. Tables are available for rent for $20. To rent a table, contact Sue Mabbett at themabbetts@comcast.net or 672-8899. To make a donation or volunteer, contact Tricia Shea at lia mollyshea@aol.com or 801-6414.

Alene Candle Sale

MILFORD – Proceeds from the 2009 Alene Candle Sale will benefit two local nonprofit organizations this year, SHARE and the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley. Superior quality, custom-designed, fragrance candles for the gift, cosmetic and retail trade will be sold at discount prices Dec. 4 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. This is a popular event, so come early for best selection. The sale will be on Riverway East Road off Elm Street in Milford. The candle sale will be on the “Jingle Bus” route on Saturday. Bring non‐perishable food items for SHARE and receive a free candle from a special selection.

Holiday Fair and Cafe

MILFORD – The annual Holiday Fair and Cafe at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, 20 Elm St., will take place from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Breakfast and lunch specialties will be served. Shop for homemade baked goods and treats, handcrafted jewelry, ornaments, holiday greens and other quality gift items. There will also be a children’s section and The Ritzy Boutique. For more information call the church office at 673-1870 or visit www.uumilfordnh.org.

Christmas tree sale

BEDFORD – The Bedford Men’s Club is selling Christmas trees this year starting Saturday, Nov. 28, in the afternoon. Be sure to stop by the parking lot of the Bedford Village Shops on 101 for your tree this year. Sales will be going on until Dec. 19.

All proceeds go to support local, Bedford-oriented programs. The Bedford Men’s Club is a nonprofit organization designed to promote the betterment of the community.

Tree and wreath sale

MERRIMACK – The Rotary Club of Merrimack will hold its annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale beginning Dec. 1 at the Old Shaw’s Parking Lot on Daniel Webster Highway.

Hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends and 4-8 p.m. weekdays. The sale continues until all trees are sold. Wreaths will be sold to benefit renovations to Kids Kove playground. Visit www.clubrunner.ca/merrimack or call Colleen Farley at 860-2773.

Holly Berry Fair

MILFORD – The 28th annual Holly Berry Fair will be Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on Union Street. Returning favorites include our festive Christmas Cupboard and Pantry, featuring homemade preserves and baked goods. Gift baskets for all ages and interests, Christmas handicrafts, and gently used Christmas items will be sold, along with our ever-popular fudge, Cookie Walk, cheese, and holiday greens. A beautiful handmade Christmas quilt will be raffled at the Fair, and a hearty lunch will be served in our Snack Bar. Call the Church at 673-3713 or visit us at www.firstccmnh.org for more information.

SHARE Christmas Fair

MILFORD – SHARE’s 16th annual Christmas Fair will feature elegant handmade crafts, Christmas decorations, jewelry and many other unique items made by professional craftspeople. The fair, which will benefit SHARE will be Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the new SHARE Center at 1 Columbus Ave. in Milford. In addition to the craft tables, children can have their pictures taken with Santa Claus and there will be a craft table for children to play while their parents shop. Refreshments also will be available, including donuts, muffins, chowders, hot dogs, and hot and cold beverages, along with a baked goods table.

SHARE is a nonprofit, non-denominational group providing food, clothing and financial assistance to people in need living in the towns of Milford, Amherst, Brookline and Mont Vernon areas. For more information about the fair or to inquire about renting a crafters table, contact SHARE at 673-9898.

Holiday Fair

MILFORD – Holiday Fair at Bridge Community Church on West Street will be Dec 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Returning favorites are the free cookies and beverage and our White Elephant room. There will be many crafters displaying their wares.

Christmas Craft Fair

WILTON – The Second Congregational Church of Wilton will hold its annual Christmas Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. Food gifts, children’s store and activities, jewelry, decorations, gifts, wreaths, silent auction, penny sale and lunch. Santa arrives at 10 a.m. Children young and old can visit with Santa Claus and have their picture taken (4x6 print) for a $5 donation.

The Second Congregational Church is at the corner of Dale and Gregg streets. Call 654-9045 or visit www.2ccwilton.org.

Church of Our Saviour

MILFORD – The Church of Our Saviour in Milford will hold its Christmas Fair on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and you know from past years that it is a fair you won’t want to miss. There will be plenty of opportunities to shop for decorations, gifts, cheese and other food items, as well as relax with friends at our delicious luncheon.

The children’s decorating shop will have gingerbread cookies waiting to be decorated with frosting and all sorts of candies. This is one of the most popular spots for children and their parents. The homemade cookies will be by our J2A class (Journey to Adulthood). Our J2A class will also be selling beautiful Christmas swags for home decorating.

In the Cookie Shop, grab a box and don a pair of plastic gloves, and wander and choose among bins of delectable homemade holiday cookies.

Eye-catching crafts, decorations and gifts will be available in the Craft Shop. Pick up a copy of the new Church of Our Saviour Cookbook – a perfect choice for Christmas giving.

The Work Campers Sweets Table will help sponsor next summer’s trip to help repair homes for people in need through the sale of fudge, truffles and turtles. They also plan to have a door prize

Visit the Outreach Room to see how the Church of Our Saviour reaches out through its various ministries to the community and beyond.

Some of those ministries include Habitat for Humanity, Nashua Soup Kitchen, Marguerite’s Place, SHARE, and companion parish St. Andre’s in Angola. There will also be Christmas items for sale.

The Country Store will again offer extra sharp and tangy Cabot cheeses as well as homemade preserves, breads and chocolate Christmas trees.

And finally, a soup and sandwich luncheon featuring delectable homemade dessert selections will complete your morning. So plan to be there, and bring a friend. It’s a fair you won’t want to miss.

Pine Hill Holiday Fair

WILTON – The 33rd annual Pine Hill Waldorf School Holiday Fair will be Friday, Dec. 4, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 am to 4 pm.

Friday evening is a special adults-only shopping preview, with refreshments and musicians to set the mood. Saturday features seasonal activities, food, artisans and fun for the whole family. The school is on Abbot Hill Road in Wilton.

Admission is free. Call 654-6003 or visit www.pinehill.org for more information.

The Pine Hill Holiday Fair features a variety of fine New England artisans and its own school store, The Pot of Gold, for unique holiday shopping.

To reach Pine Hill take route 101 to Wilton. Turn up Abbot Hill Road and drive 1.7 miles to Pine Hill’s driveway on the left.