Annual holiday bazaar returns Nov. 8 and 9 for 77th year

Courtesy of Mary Baggs.

Grace Episcopal Church will host its 77th annual holiday bazaar in the church’s Parish Hall at 503 SE Broadway St. in downtown Ocala. Opening with a preview party on Nov. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m., attendees can get in for a $5 entry fee and receive a complimentary glass of wine and a gourmet snack while they shop.

The main event will take place Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free entry for all patrons.

The bazaar has been an annual tradition since the 1940s. The Episcopal Church Women, or “ECW,” hosts the event each year with the goal of supporting local nonprofit organizations. One ECW member, Ann Anderson, has been involved with the event for all 77 years. Beginning as a young girl, she would help her mother in the days when the event took place at a hotel in downtown Ocala, before the church had its own parish hall. Anderson is one of several ECW members whose family legacy goes back multiple generations.

Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) Marion and Ocala Farm Ministries. CASA Marion provides support services to local residents who are victims of domestic violence. The Ocala Farm Ministry assists families and children in the horse farm community with after-school tutoring, sports and community center activities.

On display and for sale at the bazaar will be a wide array of holiday items, including handmade crafts, vintage jewelry, unique gift creations, artwork and new and pre-loved holiday treasures. Attendees can also enjoy homemade baked goods, soups and casseroles to-go.

For the raffle drawing, prizes will be handmade quilts and baskets, a subscription to Fresh Flower Bouquet and a Painting Party for Four. Raffle tickets will be available during the event at one for $5 or three for $10. Prize winners will be contacted on Nov. 10.

To learn more, visit the Grace Episcopal Website at graceocala.org