Large crowds turned out on Saturday morning for the St. John’s Episcopal Church Country Store, where the shoppers good naturedly jostled each other for their favorite baked goods, handmade Christmas gifts and decorations.
One of the event organizers, Sharon Foulk, said, “The day was a wonderful success. We all went home exhausted, but thrilled with how it turned out.” She said some of the long-time attendees commented that the chicken salad luncheon was one of the best they could ever remember.
Foulk said proceeds from the sale are divided three ways, with one-third going to the local church, one-third to community charities, and one-third to the church diocese.
Many joined the crowd down the street at the Bizarre Bazaar at the Firehouse Gallery. There were vendors set up inside and out selling an assortment of unique items, such as handmade jewelry, photo cups and handmade wooden bowls and trays, quilts and holiday décor.
Cheryl Carvajal, director of the Firehouse, said she thought the bazaar went really, really well, and the vendors had a fantastic time. The vendors were up by 40 percent over last year’s participants, and she thinks most plan to come back next year. She said the Firehouse made over $1000.
The bazaar continued on Sunday afternoon as part of the annual Downtown Holiday Open House, which also brought a large number of people to the square and into the stores of the surrounding area merchants.
Over 15 downtown businesses opened their doors while strains of Christmas music filled the park.
The Downtown Development Authority created five gift packages from the gifts/gift certificates that the downtown merchants donated. Each package was valued at over $100.
The 2013 Christmas ornament of the Old Post Office are still available at City Hall and any downtown merchant for $8 each. An entire set of 23 ornaments is $184.