holiday bazaar 2022

This year’s Bazaar, open to the public, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


This 98th Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held at the Congregational Church of Middlebury UCC, 30 North Pleasant Street. 


Our church's Unity Hall, Fellowship Hall, other rooms and hallways are transformed into a holiday-style marketplace. The entire community is invited and welcomed into our church home to enjoy time for shopping. 


CONTINUE READING FOR ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS...

this year’s Holiday Bazaar Tables & Rooms

Bazaar Co-Chairs: Ruth Penfield and Judy Jessup

Treasurer: Katharine Scribner (Credit card processing: Irene Zaccor)

Logistics & Outdoor signs: Dorothy Douglas & Jeff Ellison


Table and Room Managers

  • Jewelry, Scarves, Ties (Unity Hall): Glenna Emilo and Pat Zeliff
  • Hand Crafts Tables (Unity Hall): Polly Birdsall
  • Theme Baskets (Hallway near sanctuary door): Gail Hietzker
  • Book Room (Russell C. Carpenter Room): Sally Holland and Janet Franklin
  • Garden and Plant Table (Fellowship Hall): Candy McLaughlin
  • Food Table (Fellowship Hall): Maureen Williams and Alice Munson
  • Specialty Soups & Whole Pies (Fellowship Hall): Nancy Foster and Kay Bussiere
  • Toys, Games, Puzzles (Nursery Room): Robyn Stattel and Michaela Kubacki
  • Small Household Furnishings (Fellowship Hall): Ruth Penfield and Judy Jessup  
  • Bank Window Display: Volunteers will be recruited in October

answers to frequently asked questions

  • Chairpersons recruit volunteers from April through October.
    Pie bakers and soup makers are recruited beginning in late September. Aluminum pie pans and two sizes of soup to-go containers (pints and quarts) are provided and will be handed out to all bakers and soup makers.

    Bazaar Week:
    • Five days prior to the Bazaar, the set-up takes place working with our Building Manager. Volunteers are needed to decorate and set up tables and chairs and display shelves.
    • Beginning three days prior to the Bazaar, all donations (except foods) should be brought to the church. 
    • Please contact the Books and Jewelry chairpersons about donations before Bazaar week.
    • Food donations are brought in on Friday afternoon and Saturday before 8:45 a.m.
    • The 1st Saturday of November is BAZAAR DAY.
    • The next day is the “2nd Chance Sale” immediately after worship service.

  • Donations are needed for the tables/rooms listed below. Please contact the Bazaar Co-chairs or the Table and Room managers directly about specific needs that you can help with.


    Food donations include a variety of homemade foods for take-out: Soups, pies, cookies, cakes, breads, candies, jams, and more.


    We accept donations (in good condition):

    • Handcraft creations from sewists, knitters, quilters, weavers, painters; also woodcraft items such as stools, cutting boards, lazy Susans, bird houses, children's toys and small bookshelves.  
    • Children's toys and puzzles & games for children or adults.  
    • Books -Hardcover and softcover (excluding textbooks and encyclopedias).  
    • Costume and finer jewelry, scarves and ties. 
    • Garden items including household plants and potted herbs and decorative plant containers.  
    • Small household furnishings, such as small tables, lamps, framed paintings, bookshelves and holiday items (excluded: large items, electronics, kitchen items, linens, dishes and glassware).  

    If you have items that we are not accepting, we recommend that you donate your items to one of the following organizations:

    • Buy Again Alley (resale shop Main St Middlebury): Church account #506
    • Neat Repeats (resale shop on Route 7 South): Church account #45
    • HOPE Thrift Shop (Boardman Rd, Middlebury)
    • Sell or donate free on Front Porch Forum

    Contact the Bazaar Co-Chairs if you have any questions about donations contact Bazaar Co-Chairs: Ruth Penfield and Judy Jessup.


  • All our Tables and Rooms need volunteers to help set up and price during the week prior to the Bazaar, to sell on the day of the Bazaar, and to break down the Tables and Rooms after the Bazaar is over. We traditionally hold a Second Chance sale for our church members the Sunday morning following the Bazaar and volunteer helps is needed to set up and clean up. Contact Bazaar co-chairs Judy Jessup or Ruth Penfield about where volunteers are needed.

  • Jewelry Drop Off: Any time before or during setup week

    We are accepting donations of fashion and fine jewelry now! Drop off in the labeled basket by the large planter near the sanctuary entrance when the building is open and on Sundays to allow the Jewelry Table leaders a head start on pricing.


    Obtaining Pie Plates and Soup Containers in October

    • Pick up at church: Beginning in October, pick up aluminum pie pans and take-out soup containers after Sunday morning worship and from Fellowship Hall on weekdays from 9AM – noon. We will make note of all donors’ names and the quantity of each that are taken.
    • Or Request delivery: If you are unable to get to church during the times mentioned above, please contact Nancy Foster, Kay Bussiere or Anna Hardway and request the number of items you need and arrange for a volunteer to deliver them to you.

    Contact the Bazaar Co-Chairs if you have any questions not answered by the information here.

    Bazaar Co-Chairs: Ruth Penfield and Judy Jessup.