All systems go for the craft fair at Seaside United Methodist Church.

Celebrate cooler weather, changing leaves and the harvest season at the Seaside United Methodist Church’s Fall Festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. With the coziness of the fall season prepare your appetite for caramel corn, jams and jellies, as well as homemade breads and cookies. As is the tradition, the ladies at the church have been busy cooking and creating since early this year in preparation for the first annual festival.

“This year’s army of volunteers have been planning the festival for the past 10 months,” says Jean Newton. Newton is a seasoned veteran when it comes to planning a church bazaar.

For the past 17 years, Newton has been organizing the popular Christmas Craft Bazaar every November at the church. “The Christmas Bazaar has been such a great success, we just had to try our hands at Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed gift ideas,” Newton said.

Together volunteers have sewn, stitched, quilted, crocheted, knitted, canned and baked an array of spooky, crafty and ready-made gifts. This year’s big raffle prize is the classic red and white hand pieced quilt handmade by Carol Johnson. “The quilt will make a lovely keepsake for the lucky winner,” Newton added.

But that’s not all. Food is a must at any bazaar. For $6 shoppers will enjoy a bowl of homemade chili and warm corn bread with a cookie on the side.

Putting on an event like this takes years of practice and dedication. “It’s a fellowship and a labor of love. It’s working together for that common goal,” Newton said. “Our church is about a 100 families and just about everybody gets involved on a certain level. Some volunteers create brochures for the event, some take turns making soup; others move furniture, take tickets for the raffle, make change or carry parcels. It’s a total team effort and we love it.”

Money raised is earmarked for local mission work, benevolence projects, or big-ticket items necessary to operations.

Admission and parking are free. Seaside United Methodist Church is located at 241 N. Holladay Drive. For information, call Jean Newton at 503-738-7562.