Homemade Harvest Craft Fair Sept. 27 at St. James Episcopal in Wooster

The second annual Homemade Harvest Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church, located on the corner of North Street and Market Street in downtown Wooster. The free, indoor craft fair is a family-friendly event featuring local artisans.

It’s hoped the fair will become an annual tradition in downtown.

“We were looking for an opportunity to raise funds to help support our missions, and I realized that many of our parishioners were creative people," said Rev. Meghan Carlson, priest-in-charge at St. James. "I've been part of many craft fairs myself as a creator, and they are often hosted by churches. It seemed like a great way to show off our community's talent and hospitality at the same time.”

All vendors will be from Wayne or bordering counties. Hand-crafted items for sale will include tote bags, resin art, jewelry, clothing, notecards, ceramics, stained glass, needle felted sculptures, engraved items and functional pottery. There also will be a variety of autumn, Halloween and holiday-themed items.

“One vendor will be selling wool penny rugs while another will feature mint-tin angels and cookie-tin owls,” parish administrator Carrie Bonvallet said. “Our priest's mother will also have a great assortment of upcycled items.”

St. James will have a table featuring an array of items made by parishioners. “Because we love our pets and host a charitable pet food pantry,” Bonvallet said, “many of the items at the St. James booth will be pet-themed, like dog sweaters and dog bandannas.”

The event also will feature a bake sale, raffle, homemade lunch options, and make and take kids craft projects. Along with a range of bakery items, lunch will offer sandwiches, pasta salad, chips and drinks. Each vendor will donate something to the raffle, with tickets $1 each or six for $5.

All funds raised will go toward operating budgets and ministries of the church, which in turn also serve the wider community in a variety of ways.

“Our church building is home to the only pet food pantry in the county and also houses several 12-step groups,” Carlson said. “The funds raised by the craft fair benefit many people who need help feeding their pets or need a place to meet and maintain their sobriety."

The church building itself has been used for worship since 1860. It is home to numerous German stained-glass windows and a Schantz organ. Carlson said over the years the congregation has hosted community brown bag concerts and a long-running Saturday feeding ministry.

Bonvallet invited the community to enjoy the fair. “Stop in on your way to or from Woosterfest to get a jump on your holiday shopping,” she said. “Or enjoy some delicious food and sweet treats.”